CKD vs Diabetes Eating

[Patches13]

Diagnosed with CKD stage 3 GFR 35 about a year ago. Also diabetic type 2 insulin dependent. Having trouble figuring out an eating plan. Nutritionist told me to ignore diabetes diet, nephrologist told me to follow diabetes diet but dont eat bananas, tomatoes and oranges. So confusing. Eating whatever and gaining weight like crazy. Any suggestions?

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I'm also at Stage 3 with CKD and I'm a T2D without the need for insulin. In fact, I take no meds for that any longer.

It's going to be very difficult to control your CKD if your diabetes is not under control. If it is under control then let's move on.

On the davita.com website, you'll find a drop-down menu for RECIPES. If you click on that you'll find a lot of recipes that are for those on dialysis or not, and those with diabetes.

I've used a lot of those recipes but I do not take them at face value. I always reduce the sodium and substitute them with herbs for seasoning and taste preference. I also follow a kidney-friendly meal plan developed by me and a Renal Dietitian after reviewing a year's worth of my lab results. You really should look to an RD to develop what works for you. It can be vegan, or vegetarian or include fish and poultry.

I had to drive about two hours to meet an RD. We met twice and since then, the last two years, if I have an unusual lab result I contact her via e-mail and we discuss the possibility and make any changes that way. Usually, the changes are temporary.

Before I was told I had CKD I met with a "regular" nutritionist for another reason and she was very good. However, when I had the CKD diagnosis I was told I needed to speak with an RD for specific instructions and guidance. As I said, I had to drive two hours away for an appointment. It was worth it.

[Sammi_n_Munk]

Hello Patches13! Welcome to the forum! I hear ya! As a heavy person myself, I’ve struggled life-long, with diet issues as well. I’m also a type 2 diabetic with stage 5 CKD. Although it isn’t easy juggling 2 or more diet-dependant illnesses at a time, I’ve found it actually is possible. Lol! I tend to follow the “Everything, in moderation” advice, to the best of my ability. But also, I get dietician advice. It is always important when consulting with a dietician, that they are aware of any and all of your health issues and medications you may be taking. Even though protein in excess is not the best for kidney issues, I still try to stick to a plan that is low carbohydrate, lots of veggies (for snacking, as well), and exercise. Sometimes it’s difficult, but it helps to keep my weight in check. Try to visit the DaVita.com website for help in that area and also, you mentioned that you’re insulin-dependant. I, technically am too, but I have found that recently, following this low-carb plan and exercise regimen, I’ve not required as much of it. Also, it’s been said that insulin, especially in higher doses, can cause weight gain and belly bloating. I would recommend that you keep a close eye on the weight gain and consult with your medical team to ensure that it’s not due to excess fluid retention. That happened to me. Trust me, that’s no fun! I hope I’ve been able to offer some tidbit of help with this. Do keep us posted, and best of luck to you. Would love to hear about any progress you make! God bless. 😊👍

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

HI Patches,

Let's figure out why you are gaining weight. As was mentioned below, the nasty thing about insulin is that it can cause you to gain weight. And the more weight you gain, the more insulin you need. Seems totally not fair. So it takes a while, but you might find with modifying your foods, you can lose weight and then need less. I am not all about losing weight because you do not fit in the media picture of attractive. Its only about losing weight for health. I am a Health at Any Size participant and a large person. But.... when I was diagnosed and made the decision to take control of my foods, I actually and totally unintentionally lost weight and...more important, have kept it off (for the most part). I have total control of my diabetes, and I am using less insulin. My last A1c was 5.9, which for my age is great. It used to be above 8 and has been as high as 13. The biggest change was tracking my foods. That way I could see what I was eating. I kept track of my caloric count along with fat, carbs, sodium, potassium and phosphorous. Yes it was tedious at first but the result was worth it.

As to the foods I eat: I did not eat red meat since 1986 and I love veggies. So it was easy to learn what veggies I could eat. I also love to cook so I began trying different ways to create kidney friendly meals. Now it comes pretty natural to what I want to eat. Modifying things like using egg whites instead of whole eggs. Eating a specific wrap that is low carb and low salt for lunch sandwiches. I find that pasta is a killer for me as it raises my glucose a lot. So I measure how much I am eating and try to be reasonable with it. However, rice doesn't seem to as bad. I try to be careful not to eat sugary things. I find that an apple at lunch helps for dessert. It has the sweetness I want, high fiber and low potassium. I find that a no sugar added popsicle is a great choice for dessert at dinner. Only 90 calories and tasty and that's for two pops. And when I really want chocolate, a mini bite candy bar works great. I make my own breads for the most part as for some reason it does not raised my glucose as much as store bought. I am used to now not eating any potatoes in any form. No fries, mash, baked, tots or salad. Missed them at first but now do not even like the taste. If I am craving a fried anything, I will have a few onion rings. But for the most part, I stay way from fried foods. I limit my chicken and fish, just because. I have salad often as a meal, especially in the summer when I grow my own lettuce. I eat low calorie salad dressing. I was shocked to see that one of the dressings I used to use was all corn syrup and was 130 calories for 2 tbs, which is ridiculously high. The store bought one I use now is 60 cal and no added sugar. I eat limited fruit too, because they are sugar and potassium bombs. I eat apples, cranberries ( in cooking) and cherries in season. I miss melon but too much potassium.

There is a lot of hidden sugar in store bought foods. You need to become a label reader. Creamer that you add to your coffee has 35 calories a tbs, mostly from added sugar. I don't know about you, but I add more than a tablespoon to my coffee. Look at what you are eating now and see if you can make some changes. If you can, talk with a renal dietician. It is very doable to come up with a working menu plan that you can live with. And by tracking your foods, you can see where the sugar and calories are coming from. Good trackers are out there. I currently use Davita.com tracker but be careful because there are a lot of incorrect nutritional values in their library. I look up the foods I eat and check the nutrition value and have created my own library.

Good luck.

[Sammi_n_Munk in reply to Bassetmommer]

Hey Bassetmommer! Wow! Congratulations on your A1C and losing the weight! It’s so true about store bought food: breads, dressings and such. Many hidden evils there. I also bake my own bread, for the same reasons. I don’t eat very much carb anymore, but what I do consume, I try to do it in the morning, and it usually is toast. That’s when I find my body is best able to control my glucose levels. And also, I do my best to keep up the exercise. That’s also very helpful. And, just wanted to say that, yeesss, potatoes also send my glucose levels to astronomical highs! But then so does rice, pizza, and pasta! These are definitely items I need to avoid. Green veggies are the best, along with salad and such. These are also the best things to manage our CKD as well. Well, much continued success to you! God bless. 😊👍

[JB1969]

My father is at stage 4 now and has borderline sugar. He has started taking a lot more vegetables ( ensure that vegetables that grow under the earth like potato, carrot and beets are reduced as they are high in sucrose), always eat home made food, avoid breads and biscuits. Bitter food help reduce the sugar level. He eats bitter guard and fenugreek in moderation. It is hard to maintain the balance. But we don't give up. I am sure you will find what works for you. Best regards

[Sammi_n_Munk in reply to JB1969]

Hello there, JB1969. I’m sorry that your dad is going through this as well. I’m stage 5 myself, and have been a type 2 diabetic for 36 years, so I understand you completely. Just want to tell you, that is very wise advice you gave. And I have noticed with myself, that bitter greens, such as chicory, rapini and arugula seem to keep my blood glucose down also, but truthfully, I don’t know how that is. Don’t really understand how bitter greens are helpful in controlling blood sugar levels. It’s a mystery to me! Lol! Well, as long as it works, I won’t complain! Lol! I wish your dad and your family all the best! God bless. 😊👍

[Lovebutton69]

They say plant base diet is the best or vegan. That what iam trying to slow it down

[sandyandtweed]

Hi there,

I can quite understand how confused you feel. At my last renal appointment I was told by the nephrologist to follow the diebetic diet, and give up coffee, as well as avoiding bananas, oranges tomatoes ans sweet potatoes. Yes this does restrict the diet and eating out can be difficult, but to my delight I have reversed the ckd to the 3b stage, and the HbA1c down from 62 to 48 in just three months, so I am really up in the clouds today. I am on linaglyptin for the diabetes so as far as I know , the effect on the kidneys is less brutal but also less effective in stimulating the insulin production.

However, something is going right for a change, and I can only put it down to the diet, as I have also lost a stone and three quarters in weight in the three months. I have cut out almost all the carbohydrate in my diet, eating lots of allowed vegs and fruit, and quite a lot of meat, fish and chicken (I almost cluck!) as well as some limited cheese, butter and cream. I do sneak a treat into each day, and that is usually just one biscuit, and so far no chocolate or other naughties. Coffee is now half a shot of really decent coffee once a week, otherwise it's that old standby CAMP |Coffee!!! Shades of WW2!

Hope some of this is of use to you. Are you in Britain or the USA? as the help does not seem as good in the UK as in the USA.

My experience of a renal diatician was an absolute washout as all she could bleat was 'boil the vegetables!'

[Patches13 in reply to sandyandtweed]

I am in the U.S. my diabetes doctor is going to refer me to a CKD/Diabetes nutritionist. She said I shouldn't have been referred to a nutritionist that didn't specialize in my combined condition. Hopefully that will go better. I have gotten wonderful and very helpful feedback from the people on this site. I'm going to start making some changes right away but just a little at a time.