Can we eat tomatoes with CKD?

[sukki]

Hi everyone, we are told not to eat tomatoes on a CKD diet and I havent for the past 6 years. I have just read a post from Mathea Ford, we’ll known renal dietician, to the contrary. She says fresh are the best source of tomatoes as they do not have any additives that can increase the sodium, potassium or phosphorus content. Whenever you are able you should stick to using fresh tomatoes in salads, sauces or more. Of course, this is ok only now and then, in moderation. A one cup serving contains, Sodium: less 35mg, Potassium 427 mg and Phosphorus 43mg. Any comments on this subject welcome please!!

[orangecity41]

I am level 3 CKD, and on my pre-dialysis diet prescribed by my Doctor, Tomatoes are limited and a vegetable to avoid if potassium restricted; otherwise could have 2 slices of tomatoe or 1 tbsps. paste and 2 tbsps. of sauce. Guess different diet for different levels?

[Hidden in reply to orangecity41]

OC, I completely agree with you. The author is speaking in general terms. If someone has CKD with restrictions and Potassium is one of the restrictions then tomatoes are out. The author is selling books and the doctors aren't, usually."

[sukki in reply to Hidden]

OC and Mr Kidney I really appreciate your views. I am CKD3a and have avoided tomatoes for 6 plus years and was surprised at Mathea Ford's post. I will carry on as I have done in the past and sadly avoid tomatoes.

[Hidden in reply to sukki]

I really miss the Italian food but my health is too important to "cheat" from time to time. Someone gave me a great idea that has worked well. I roast red peppers and then puree them and use that in place of tomato sauce for a pizza and it works well. Give it a try.

[sukki in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Mr Kidney that sounds a great idea. I’ll certainly give it a try, I love red peppers and a good replacement for tomatoes 👍

[sukki in reply to Hidden]

I took your advice and made my first pizza with puréed roasted red peppers and asparagus. I shared it with friends and it was delicious, everybody loved it. It was such a good idea and as nice, if not better than with tomatoes, Thank you for a great recipe Mr Kidney 👍

[Leroy3]

That's too much potassium, at least for me.

[lowraind]

As with any of the so-called ckd diets, take what is written with (guess I have to change the adage to a low sodium) grain of pepper. Through our own research, we are able to determine what is best for each of us.

[buddygramma]

Well, I am stage 3b, I ask for a copy of my blood work. I check to see what I am high or low in. I take it from there. My blood work has been great so I really am eating anything I want as far as fresh vegetables and fruits. I found I am doing great for an 77 year old that had kidney removed due to bladder cancer, CKD. I know that losing 40 lbs has really helped me. I know that overnight I will not need dialaysis, so I enjoy my day one by one. ( I really don't eat too much beef). Good Luck, We can do this !!

[motolas]

I agree that you should see if your potassium is in range with blood tests. Not everyone has a potassium problem. If you see you are in range should be okay. Monitor it.

[Hidden in reply to motolas]

If I may suggest this to you...

You may not have a problem with potassium, but if you have CKD your kidneys are already functioning below the optimum level. Eating potassium, phosphorous, or anything else you may not have a problem with is still an issue that your below normal kidneys are having to deal with. I'm not saying you can't have any potassium foods but that you should be careful of anything and everything you eat if you are dealing with poorly functioning kidneys. Just a word to the wise for those who think that they don't have one specific issue and it's a green light on something else you can eat. Be wary of anything you eat that could cause a further drop in your GFR.

[motolas in reply to Hidden]

You are correct and I believe we are essentially in agreement. My point is that your blood level measurement for potassium is the key as to wether you are having too much potassium. Kidneys do regulate the amount of potassium in the blood. Poor functioning kidneys do not handle elimination that well. Too much potassium , well out of range can cause heart problems. Moderation is important, however those as I at early stage 4 but with a blood potassium well in range should not overload on high potassium foods but not restrict it. CKD patients who are told to restrict potassium get paranoid and try to restrict as much as possible. Potassium is essential and works along side with sodium to maintain normal blood pressure. It also helps to maintain good balance of body fluids

[sukki in reply to motolas]

Thank you motolas. I feel better about this after reading your explanation. As Mathea says, don’t overdo it. A little in moderation should not do any harm. I have been stable for the past 6 years since following her recipes but when I read about the tomatoes I was a bit surprised. So thank you 😊

[Hidden in reply to motolas]

Thanku Mtolas, that was really interesting to read about ones potassium and how it works, I was hospitalised on a potassium drip because my potassium had gone seriously low.. I am CKD stage 3b..

I don’t often write, but love the comarardery between everyone on here, it is so interesting to hear others view points, so thank you everyone for helping me keep calm 😊..and to know I am not the only one suffering with this CKD..

I am 74, and have ckd stage 3b and high BP among others things..

[sukki in reply to Hidden]

I agree Mr Kidney thank you

[Gillian2Mc]

I love tomatoes and don't know what I would do without them. They are one of my 5 a day most days. I take guidance on my diet from our practice nurse and she has not indicated that it is a no-no for me.

Gillian

[Gillian2Mc in reply to Gillian2Mc]

Interesting seeing this post again - I was alerted to someone liking it. About a year or so ago, I read - maybe it was on here? - that tomatoes were citric and therefore a migraine trigger. As a migraine sufferer, I thought I'd better avoid them, which I did for about a year. Then someone told me the happy news that, no, tomatoes are not citric - just tinned ones are. Happy days.

[Cruze44]

Sounds like ya can't eat nothing with this stupid disease. I'm thinking I might just say the hell with it and do whatever I want. No beer, no meat, no soda, screw this this. I think I'd rather just die. From what I've read it's a certain death sentence anyway so why not enjoy it for a few years before it's all over. Sorry to sound bitter, but this is just absurd. Can't even eat tomatoes, omg lol

[Cruze44]

No crackers, no avocados, no banana, no ham, no bacon, no sausage, well basically no meat, no Pepsi, no ice cream, no cereal except for crap my dead grandma would have eaten, no fries, no hash brown, no wheat bread, no cornbread, no brown rice, no pasta sauce, no cheese, no milk, no eggs, no butter, no Orange juice, no pickles, no pizza, no spinach, no raisins, no chips, no chocolate no....OH WAIT!!!! I can have cabbage!! oh boy! the joy!! oh but wait, not too much, only half a cup because it has too much potassium!

What a despicable life. Me, i'm gonna hurry this along and eat whatever the F I want. I'd rather live 5 more years happy then 10-15 more in complete misery. What a joke of a disease. This disease is fatal in the end anyways so go eat a tomato for Christ sake.

[feelscared2 in reply to Cruze44]

and do not excercise too much either, cause it will raise your creantine level.. so just lay in bed all day and have water and toothpicks.. lol lol

[5157 in reply to Cruze44]

We do not need your negativity on this forum. We are here to help each other and learn others experiences. This is not a death sentence but you are entitled to your opinion. Best of luck.

[Dgridley in reply to Cruze44]

Are you still alive because I want to eat tomatoes

[SkiingSailor in reply to Cruze44]

Why not focus on what you can eat? Rather than get angry about what you can’t ? I’m sure you’re on dialysis will tell you that that’s not easy either. This is your life, so it’s up to you, but I think you need some help to talk things over and get through the anger. Best wishes.