Diet

[Buspasswalker]

Anyone else have a problem with their diet? I have high blood pressure and CKD stage 3. The GP can’t say whether the BP caused kidney disease or vice versa. I have gained weight with Hypothyroid problems and thought I would try the DASH diet to try to improve my blood pressure. I then looked at the Kidney diet and they contradicted each other. I eat pretty healthily, but a lot of things I love, especially tomatoes are high in potassium, and many things I normally eat are very restricted on both diets. I explained this to the nurse and my GP and asked if I could speak to the dietician to see if there was a way to combine the two, but was just asked “why”? Seems they don’t want to know if they haven’t suggested it!

[HealthBuddyMelissa]

DASH diet is awesome for lowering blood pressure. Potassium helps control blood pressure, and if your potassium was normal on your blood test, and the doctor did not tell you to limit you can probably cautiously eat tomatoes. I eat them. Did they put you on blood pressure meds? If yes do some research because some foods may be encouraged, or discouraged to help them work better. If I were you I would request to see a Nephrologist, and then worry about a Dietitian later.

[Buspasswalker in reply to HealthBuddyMelissa]

Many thanks Melissa - that is good to know. I will have another look at both diets and see if there is a way of combining the best of both. Unfortunately here in the UK they will only refer to a Nephrologist once you reach stage 4 or 5 unless there are other problems. Seems too little too late to me!

[Bassetmommer in reply to Buspasswalker]

HI, You are absolutely correct that it is too late when you start a renal protective diet at stage 4. You are on the right path with the DASH diet. The one thing that is most accute in a renal diet is the limitation of protein. The kidneys have a hard time processing protein, so it is good to limit it. Everything has protein in it so you will always have enough. Limit your meat intake to chicken and fish and keep the portions to 4 ounces or less. Cheese, and most dairy products, have protein in them as well so be mindful of that. A good place to start to see what you are eating is to use a tracker. I have used Myfitnesspal. com and Davita had one. You can store information in your list of foods that you eat. So if you have eggs and cheese for breakfast, you may be at your limit for the day, so you eat veggies and salad for lunch and dinner. But you will be surprised that there is protein in veggies as well. The tracker can track your sodium and other components of you diet. It sure is easier than guessing.

[Buspasswalker in reply to Bassetmommer]

Those are great pointers. Thanks very much for the info.

[mmwsmall]

Hi BuspasswalkerI sympathise, the diet for CKD and high blood pressure can be contradictory eg for high blood pressure it is said that you should increase potassium and for CKD it is the reverse. What I try to do is focus on CKD, use the list of low potassium foods and find recipes to fit these. Also reducing your animal protein intake and upping exercise is good too. Walking is good! I have just discovered meditation and this is helping with my blood pressure. I use an app called Headspace but there are others eg Calm. As you are not able to see a Nephrologist I would ask again to see a dietitian, insist if necessary. it is your health/right. If this is still refused and you can afford it see one privately. As you live in the UK, the British Dietetic Association can signpost you to a renal dietitian in your area. It is never too late, there is always something you can do to improve your health! Good luck!

[Buspasswalker in reply to mmwsmall]

Thank you. It seems GPs diagnose you but don't want to give follow up advice. I didn't think of seeing a dietician privately. l will ask the GP again, and if I don't get anywhere I will look into that. I'm certainly getting more exercise since lockdown, but certainly need to shed some weight. I've thought about meditation as lack of sleep is constant, but I can't relax long enough! Thanks for the good advice ,- much appreciated.

[mmwsmall in reply to Buspasswalker]

You can start your meditation for as little as 3 minutes a day then gradually increase. I had great difficulty at first!

[Buspasswalker]

Thank you. Never thought about the protein side of things before. Will certainly have a look into your suggestions.

[Kindsong]

I think it would be good to pay close attention to your diet..it can make a difference ! I have stage 3a CKD, and high blood pressure came along with it. I have had low bp all my life, so coping with it is new. I take losartan; after fainting several times, and adjusting the dose, it's working well. About a dietician: I was referred to one , and found she was helpful. My issues were complicated( malabsorbtion, weight loss plus CKD) but she was able to tweak her reccomendations as I got better. Good luck !

[Buspasswalker in reply to Kindsong]

Thank you so much for your helpful reply. Going to speak to the surgery next week to see what can be sorted out, and try to get my well overdue blood tests carried out!