Cutting meat from diet

[SHARONHELL]

I would love to know, how many people cut out meat from there diet & had their GFR go back up?

[Hidden]

I cut out all red meat almost two years ago after consultation with my RD. I'm limited to 8oz. of protein each day. I don't do eggs, but get my protein from poultry and seafood. My GFR was 35 at the time but has since moved up to a high of 65 but that was just a snapshot of the blood labs at the time. My average has been 48 and I've held that steady over the two years since I knew I had CKD. Keep in mind that protein is not the only way to maintain your GFR at a steady level. Staying hydrated, watching your medications, upping your exercise regimen and being proactive will all help you get the most out of the remaining function your kidneys have.

[SHARONHELL in reply to Hidden]

great news & will hope for the same for myself!

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Hey Mr. Kidney,

Just curious as to what the would be in grams. My renal dietician gave me a figure to stay at for protein of under 60 grams. How much would that be in ounces or can you transpose it like that? When I use a converter it comes up with 2 ounces... can that be right?

[Hidden in reply to Bassetmommer]

According to my RD there are 7 grams of protein in an ounce of cooked meat (poultry/fish). I hope that helps.

[SHARONHELL in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Oh that makes more sense

[lowraind in reply to Bassetmommer]

1 ounce equals 28.3495 grams. So 30 grams seems about correct.

[Feiann in reply to Hidden]

I cut out all meat and my GFR went from 44 to 67.

[Jayhawker in reply to Feiann]

I’m assuming you eat plant-based protein now, right? If so, would you be willing to share some main meal recipes?

I, too, have recently converted to a vegetarian diet. I’ve seen improvement but a very modest improvement, ie, eGFR moves from upper Stage V to the upper portion of the lower third of Stage IV. Since I’ve been in renal failure for nearly three years at this point but still not on dialysis, I’ve been thrilled with this very modest improvement. My BUN has also improved from 73 to 47-53. I’m definitely feeling and functioning much better. But I struggle to find renal-friendly vegetarian main meal recipes.

Jayhawker

[Feiann in reply to Jayhawker]

Hi Jayhawker, I am very new to the plant base meals. I rely a lot on Pinterest for recipes

Tonight I made Lentil potato soup. It was pretty good

[jmkb in reply to Jayhawker]

Hey Jayhawker, I would be happy to share some plant-based recipes! I will post a few this week.

[Scared-woman in reply to Hidden]

It makes sense that lowering protein intake (creatinine).would lower your creatitine witch in turn would raise your egfr.......but...to me...that does not mean your kidneys are filtering better....just that they dont have the product to filter in the first place.....right?

[Hidden in reply to Scared-woman]

I'm not sure what or why that matters. Eating red meat and processed foods is hard on your kidneys, therefore not eating red meat and/or processed foods won't be hard on your kidneys. When your damaged or weakened kidneys have an easier time doing their job, they will last longer. When you have CKD, that's optimum.

[Scared-woman in reply to Hidden]

Good point...thank you

[Rfdv in reply to Scared-woman]

Good point. It is a good thing to cut down on protein. However kidney function and health is better looked at a more wholistic approach, by monitoring BP, FBS, BUN along with the egfr.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

I have been on a renal diet, since diagnosed at level 3b, with limit of 6 oz of meat or meat substitute for the day. I eat very little red meat and mostly fish or poultry. My eGFR average has improved.

[SHARONHELL in reply to orangecity41]

how long did it take to improve after cutting the meat back?

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to SHARONHELL]

It started within the first year to improve the eGFR. Had a couple of drops in it.

[Feiann in reply to SHARONHELL]

About 2 months

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

I had stopped eating red meat a long time ago. But now I do not eat much chicken or fish either. I do eat eggs, mostly egg whites. And I eat cheese in moderation.

My GFR has remained stable going up actually a little. But all my lab worked showed improvement.

[Hidden]

Using what Bassetmommer said and compare it to my situation hopefully provides some folks with an example of why a kidney-friendly meal plan must be individualized. I cannot do eggs and the only cheese that works for me is a small amount of Brie. I get my protein mainly from poultry and seafood.

It's so important to meet with a Renal Dietitian and modify any recipe you come across to fit your personal needs and tastes.

Again, this is why I refuse to follow any specific author or group touting one way, and only one way to control CKD.

[Julesboz in reply to Hidden]

I agree Mr Kidney! What works for one may not work for another. I know a lot of people promote a vegan diet for kidneys, but I suffer from iron and B12 deficiencies so that wouldn’t be good for me. I still eat red meat occasionally, but have cut out dairy and gluten as I’ve found I’m intolerant to them. Eating a dairy and gluten free diet with reduced salt and no processed foods/fizzy drinks with plenty of water and fresh veg, and no OTC drugs, etc has raised my GFR.

[Feiann in reply to Julesboz]

You have to supplement your B12

My eGFr greatly improved but my RBC and ALT dropped

[lowraind]

I agree with those who have written here. Diagnosed 1 1/2 years ago. Cut down on sodium (though I never used much), potassium, phosphorous and protein. Numbers improved within 3 months. I also drink more water, exercise more and stopped meds that were harmful. I still do eat a little red meat.

[saifomar]

I have been eating red meat (beef & lamb only and no pork) occasionally (once every 10 days) and having poultry or fish on a daily basis. But I have cut out all forms of dairy products, chocolate, coffee & sugar (substituted by honey). But the best result I got was when I reduced (not eliminate) salt (sodium) and started loosing water weight. I also drink 3 to 4 liters of filtered water daily.

[Bunkin]

I did my last labs and GFR went up 1 point!

[BabbetteFrank]

I’ve been vegetarian for decades but developed CKD two years ago due to overuse of anti-inflammatory meds (separate issue). My nephrologist thought my diet likely protected me for a great while prior to diagnosis. My protein sources are primarily beans, lentils, seitan, and tofu. My GFR has been stable at Stage 3a.

[jmkb]

Hey sharonhell! I have been predominantly plant-based for the last couple of months and even though my eGFR is around 14%, I feel great! I am part of a great FB group for patients by patients, Natural Kidney Journey, and it was a gift to have my thoughts validated, namely that our bodies cannot heal with white flour and limited veggies! Even though I eat lots of leafy greens, beans and grains, my potassium has decreased (the bioavailability of plant-based potassium is different than animal-based) and my phosphate is normal. My eGFR has remained stable and is slowly increasing and I am not leaking as much protein. I can highly recommend plant-based! If you want to read more, check out Jennifer Moore's book, Plant-fed Kidneys. All the best!

[taivin98]

Me, me, me for over 20 years now; I'm a raw food vegan (organic of course lol). Yeppers; kidneys sprang back. Our organs love to come back if we treat them right and the body loves not having inflammation from meat, meat by-products, diary...cut it all out. I use vegan protein powder for my protein needs, olive oil and MCT for my fat needs, carbs are fruits and veggies plus herbs and lot of flaxseed, I use ginger instead of honey, cilantro...play with it. I can't recommend it enough. Oh; the water is a must...