English: vegetables (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the most common New Year’s resolutions involves losing weight. And even though you have kidney disease, you are not immune.

You have things in your life you want to change, and one of them just might be to lose some weight. Or get healthier. Something along those lines. Let’s face it, you are dealing with a lot of changes, whether or not you have had medical issues for a while or it’s new to you.

But with kidney disease, you can’t just read any blog post and eat more vegetables, because you have to make sure they aren’t going to sabotage your health! You need to focus on eating those healthier vegetables for you. And fruits. And pastas.

Now, I am not going to tell you that this will help you lose weight, because you might not need to. These changes are about making your overall diet healthier, not necessarily trying to lose weight.

I took on the challenge this year to walk for 30 minutes (at least) every single day. Will I lose weight? Not if I continue to eat too much, but I will be healthier. So, it’s a good start. I have managed to get it done for the last 2 weeks, except for one day when I had a monstrous migraine. But, I have managed to make the change. Some days it is very hard, as I am very busy – but so are you – and you can make time and make a way to get the work done. I have to plan to do this walk and not just let the day go by without thinking about it. I have even added it to my to do list.

But back to the topic of this post – I want you to make some healthy choices instead of just saying “lose weight” or “improve my health”. Make them specific choices as well.

1. Eat more fruits. Not more juice, and not the high potassium fruits, but there are many fruits you can eat. Apples, grapes, and berries. You can add them to your salad, to your meal, to lots of things. I love fruit, and I think it’s something you can eat a lot of without getting into trouble. Think of how much room a whole apple takes up in your stomach versus ½ cup of juice. It’s a big difference that will keep you from drinking too many calories.

2. Eat more whole vegetables. Again, not the high potassium vegetables, but the ones you can eat. Eat them grilled with a little oil on them and some salt free seasoning. Just as with fruit, it’s easy to fill up and not be hungry. Eat vegetables instead of starches. They have less calories and are more filling.

3. Eat more whole grain pasta and rice if you are in Stage 1-3 kidney disease. Eat higher fiber white pasta or grains if you have a need to limit phosphorus. You usually can eat the whole grain for beginning stages of kidney disease. You can’t eat potatoes as much anymore, but you can eat more grains.

4. Either way, make only ¼ of your plate starches, ¼ meat, and ½ vegetables. That is a well balanced meal.

5. Push back from the table and take a 10 minute walk after your meal. It will keep your blood flowing through your veins and your heart pumping. Possibly even help with diabetes or heart disease.

Doing these things will set you on the path to a healthier 2013 and beyond. Don’t make a general resolution, take some actionable steps and succeed.

Learn more about a renal diet and get on a renal diet meal plan for your New Year’s Resolution to make this year the best one yet – Click here to choose the right plan!

  Sorry for the delay in letting you know about this, but I have been working on another book that I know will be super duper helpful to you.  You – those people who find it difficult to understand about working on a kidney diet and those who know you can do it yourself.  I am going to teach you how to do it yourself.

It’s not easy, I am telling you that for a fact.  Part of the process of writing the book involved me trying to make it easier to understand a complicated process.  And I think I did an excellent job of it, but you know that even though it seems like it should be simple – the process is not.  It’s hard to distill years of learning into a 50+ page book.

First of all, if you are looking for a way to follow a kidney diet that is low in protein, this book will tell you what to do about portion sizes and what foods to eat.  You need to understand about how different foods fit into your plan.  I have even included options for building your meal plan with 3, 4, or 5 meals per day, since everyone is not expected to eat the same.  Look for it now on Amazon!

Renal Diet Plans Make Your Kidneys More Efficient

Most regulatory functions of the body are performed by our kidneys. The waste produced during metabolism is expelled by kidneys. Apart from getting rid of waste, kidney purifies the blood, initiates production of red blood cells, and keeps up the electrolytic balance of our body. If your kidneys become impaired and fail to perform their functions, you will have to undergo the process of dialysis to remove the waste from our body. To perform dialysis, the kidney functioning should be reduced to at least of 10%.  At all of the stages for kidney failure, you will benefit from using renal diet plans.

Even with Dialysis, You Need Renal Diet Plans

Dialysis is not as efficient as a normal kidney functioning and it requires regular repetition and is highly inconvenient. Dialysis can be made more efficient only through reducing the waste accumulated in the body. To reduce excessive waste accumulation, the patients have to undergo a change to using renal diet plans. The major complaint associated with such diets is that they are very strict and hard to follow.

Managing Your Fluid Intake Between Treatments is Part of Renal Diet Plans

Have you heard that, for the proper functioning of kidneys a lot of fluid is necessary?  But it is not the case when they are impaired, and you are following most renal diet plans. If more fluid is taken when they are damaged, the kidneys will need to work harder to flush out that water from our body. Consumption of more fluid can lead to kidney swelling, shortness of breath, and high blood pressure.

Learn more about fluid intake and dialysis in our informative article on kidney dialysis.

Renal Diet Plans and Essential Nutrients

There are five stages in kidney deterioration and the protein intake needed during each different level is one of the renal diet plans. The protein consumption should be maintained after proper analysis of the extent of renal failure. A patient in the initial stages of kidney impairment should hold on to a lower intake of protein. This is done so as to reduce the amount of waste produced in the body. Chicken breast, lean meat, fish, egg etc. are good sources of whole protein that can be taken in moderation as part of renal diet plans.

Phosphorous is another key element in renal diet plans. It maintains normal nerve and muscle functioning. Excessive intake of phosphorous during renal stages of disease tends to bring about some adverse developments. The calcium level drops due to the intake of phosphorous and this can lead to itching, joint pain and osteoporosis.

Potassium is the main element which regulates the nerve impulses of our body. Excessive intake of potassium will induce irregular heartbeats. Managing to eat the right amount of potassium is key to a renal diet plan.

The amount of salt we eat should be reduced because increased sodium level means that kidneys will have to work more and this can lead to further harm. Although, sodium plays a huge role in muscle contraction and fluid balance, you will have to reduce it to lower the kidney processing that is required.  Sodium also causes fluid retention if taken in excess and your kidneys cannot process the extra fluid.

The requirement of nutrients during the dialysis phase keeps on changing depending on the progress of the kidney function. When chronic kidney disease escalates to end stage renal failure the nutrients needed will be different and only a physician can determine the actual quantity after analyzing the reports from your labs.  Once you learn what you are supposed to limit and in what amounts, you can buy renal diet plans online that are done for you.

So if you are a patient undergoing dialysis then it is always better to take expert opinion on renal diets than self experimentation. Pre-done online meal plans can be obtained from different websites. Good renal diet plans are essential for all who wish to have good functioning kidney health.

A Good Kidney Failure Diet Improves Your Health

Kidney failure is a fairly common disease that affects a lot of people in the United States. Acute renal failure and chronic renal failure are the two types of kidney failure. Acute renal failure is the more common one and occurs when the flow of blood to the kidneys is suddenly cut off. Chronic renal failure is caused over time, usually by conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Both will result in the accumulation of waste products in the body and should be treated as soon as possible after diagnosis.

Ways A Kidney Failure Diet Adds Value to Your Life

Since failure of the kidneys affects most organs, it is imperative that the person receives medical attention and watches their diet closely. Among the various procedures to combat kidney failure, dialysis is a very important one. It is the process of removing the wastes accumulated in the body. Additionally, one can follow a kidney failure diet before starting the dialysis procedure.

Today, there are several ways to follow a pre-dialysis diet specifically for your kidney failure.  The main principle behind a pre dialysis diet is to keep the load on the kidneys to a minimum. A good diet is essential to combat the renal failure, and one of the best ones to follow is a kidney failure diet.

Common Ingredients in A Kidney Failure Diet for Pre-Dialysis

While there are several kidney failure diet plans available today for those with renal failure, most of them have some ingredients in common. Proteins can worsen the kidney disease to a good extent when eaten in excess. Hence their intake should be minimal during stages 1 – 4 of kidney failure. Once the dialysis program has started, the protein intake should be increased.

Sodium, potassium, phosphorous and fluid intake are the other factors that should be controlled. Sodium is the most important factor to consider while choosing a kidney failure diet. Most foods contain sodium in small amounts. The assistance of a professional dietitian should be sought in order to control the intake of sodium and other needed nutrients.

Control Phosphates as Part of A Kidney Failure Diet

Fish, cheese, milk and eggs are some foods which have high levels of phosphate. Such foods should not be included in the pre dialysis diet as high phosphate can cause bone diseases in those with renal failure. Additionally, most diet plans available today are general ones and not specific to any particular individual. It is always better to consult a physician before selecting a pre dialysis diet since the diet requirements vary depending on the individual.  Once you know your limits you can choose a renal diet plan and feel that you can keep it under control.

The internet is a good place to find various diet plans for those with renal failure.  You can watch your diet closely and find a meal plan on our website that will provide for either a dialysis or pre-dialysis meal plan.  In either case, kidney failure diet is required to ensure a successful healthy diet and improve your quality of life. Following a pre dialysis diet plan can be tough for a lot of people. Make it easier by controlling your kidney failure diet through meals and nutrients with a specially designed meal plan, recipes and grocery list.

Hemodialysis Diet Is Key To Making Renal Failure Healthier

Hemodialysis is the medical method of cleaning waste and free water from your blood if your kidneys go into renal failure, and is one of three ways—transplant and peritoneal dialysis being the others—in which renal replacement can be performed. With a hemodialysis diet, there are fewer dietary restrictions than you might have to face dealing with other renal replacement treatments, but the restrictions are still there.

What the Hemodialysis Diet Requires

According to the National Kidney Foundation, a proper hemodialysis diet customarily requires that you eat more high quality protein foods, eat fewer foods high in salt, potassium, and phosphorus, substitute herbs, spices, and low-salt flavor enhancement for pure salt, and stay away from potassium-made salt substitutions.

This is not as difficult a hemodialysis diet plan to follow as you may fear, though it is certainly not a simple one, either. Your physician or specialized renal dietitian will prescribe a meal plan for you to follow, and there are several resources on which you can lean to make a sensible and easier-to-follow scheduled meal plan from those prescriptions.

Learn More About A Hemodialysis Meal Plan (Click Here)

How You Can Plan Your Hemodialysis Diet Meals

Online, you can get assistance in planning your meals from such several resources. Many of these will help you develop a balanced meal plan in which you can make food substitutions using basic principles, because the meal categories include the same nutrients you need to maintain your body during your dialysis period. After you receive your doctor or renal dietitian-outlined diet plan, those resources will usually help you plan for daily or weekly diet maintenance, or even both, and many also include specialized renal diet recipes which are easy to follow , and you can and keep a printable record for follow-up with your doctor or renal dietitian about your hemodialysis diet meal plan.

What You Can Eat On A Hemodialysis Diet

So what can you eat on a hemodialysis diet? Among other things, you can eat lean meat and poultry, fish, and egg whites, all high in protein and all carrying the amino acids you will need especially to control your weight and body fluids between dialysis sessions. You will find yourself monitoring not merely the fluids you drink but those which might be hidden in some of your food, such as gravies, sauces, and desserts like gelatin and sherbet. Your doctor or renal dietitian will outline the precise amount of fluid you can consume safely between dialysis treatments on your hemodialysis diet, because your damaged kidneys cannot take excess fluid from your blood and you must maintain your weight between treatments for the maximum benefit.

Your doctor may also prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements, depending on your actual condition, because of what you may be missing now that you must avoid certain foods. Beware, however, to take only what your doctor does prescribe, because off-the-shelf supplements may harm you.

A Sample Meal Plan for A Hemodialysis Diet

Based on examining several kidney disease research and diet resources, if your doctor or renal dietitian has decided you should have restricted potassium, phosphorus, and fluid restrictions, one sample menu plan for a hemodialysis diet could resemble this:

Breakfast—A breakfast sandwich consisting of scrambled egg whites with two ounces of thin-sliced meat on toast or an English muffin, and four ounces of non-acidic fruit juice.

Lunch—A salmon or other fish salad consisting of a cup of romaine lettuce, an eighth of a cup of raw broccoli, a tablespoon of slivered or chopped nuts, three ounces of cooked salmon, and low-fat dressing, with a small white roll buttered with trans-fat-free margarine on the side, and a four-ounce glass of a water or non-carbonated beverage.

Snack—Low sodium or sodium-free Ritz crackers with low-sodium cream cheese.

Dinner—Three ounces of grilled skinless chicken, half a cup of squash, half a cup of cabbage atop a cup of cooked pasta, substituting two tablespoons of olive oil and half a cup of low-sodium chicken broth for pasta sauce, half a cup of cherries, and a four-ounce glass of water, with orange sherbet for dessert.

Learn More About A Hemodialysis Meal Plan (Click Here)

Be sure to consult with your doctor or renal dietitian to determine which beverages and other fluids are safe for you. Most resources indicate Diet Sprite or Crystal Light as safe choices, but your doctor or dietitian will know others you can drink on a hemodialysis diet.

Renal Diet Recipes Can Be Hard To Find!

One problem with most diets, including renal diets, is a simple lack of variety.  Whether you buy a book or look at a search engine online, it seems that renal diet recipes are just a rehash of what you ate last week.  If you are going to be successful with your diet, you must find the variety in food choices and methods of preparation that will allow you to feel as if you are not stuck eating the same food day after day.

The internet has increased the average person’s access to vast amounts of information.  Unfortunately, not everything you read on the internet is true.  Many people post information that is based on superstition, urban legend or simple untruth.  For the person that is undergoing dialysis or even in a pre-dialysis status (stage 3 kidney disease or higher), this can make life even more difficult.  Many of the so called renal diet recipes may contain ingredients that should not be used by those with kidney problems.  Even if a recipe is found on the internet that sounds tasty, its ingredient list must be sifted through to ensure that you are getting the right amount of foods in the right proportions to make it appropriate.

Online Renal Diet Recipes Can Be Found in Meal Plans Made For Kidney Disease Patients

There is a better option.  Persons, undergoing dialysis or even in a pre-dialysis status,  can find help with their renal diet recipes though an online Registered Dietitian.  The dietitian knows the foods that you should and should not eat when making renal diet recipes.  In addition, the dietitian can customize the diet to meet any additional special needs as well as to include the foods that tastes good to you but are also the right things for renal diet recipes.  Once all the information is gathered, you are provided with interesting weekly menus, renal diet recipes and a weekly shopping list that meets your needs.  With this service, you have time to think about and participate in activities that you consider more important.  You can even make plans to eat out on those busy days when dialysis does not leave time for you or your caregiver to cook a meal.

Renal Diet Recipes Meet Your Nutritional Needs

A renal diet can be difficult to plan as there are several factors to consider.  The diet should limit fluid intake, along with sodium, phosphorus, potassium and proteins.  At the same time, it is important that the diet provide plenty of the nutrients that are needed for optimal health.  These nutrients are best supplied by the foods that you eat and make using renal diet recipes.  A registered dietitian can take all these concerns into account to meet the diet prescribed by the doctor and keep your food interesting and enjoyable.

Kidney disease is a chronic health condition that can affect both health and quality of life.  While you may feel like ignoring the problem and eating what you want, the result is that you will feel more ill.  By choosing the right foods, you can make choices that improve your quality of life.  Just as you must go to dialysis as scheduled every week, whether you feel like it or not, you must also choose the best foods for the condition or you will not feel your best.  Following a meal plan and using renal diet recipes will make that much easier.

If you are interested in a recipe book for a pre-dialysis diet, please check out our cookbook on Amazon: http://www.renaldiethq.com/kidneyfriendlycookbook