Weight loss

[Green306]

How can I eat more calories on renal diet? I continue to lose weight and have never had this problem before. In fact, I've always been overweight. It is frustrating because I am losing too much.

[FlowerPreciousLover]

Hi, Green306, I can truly sympathize with your weight loss dilemma because within one year I was diagnosed with both prediabetes and ckd. The med. for diabetes started my nausea and continuing wt loss. Tests and scans to determine the "cause" of this sudden change resulted in the Stage 3 CKD diagnosis.

A thirty pound wt loss was the last thing I needed and printing out lists upon lists of diabetes friendly and kidney friendly foods and recipes was mind boggling. What really helped was finally getting a doc referral to an excellent dietitian who compiled a diet plan that addressed both conditions. Not only did this greatly simplify my life in meal prep. , it also guided me in learning to understand my ckd lab reports and focus on which values I needed to restrict or pay closer attention to.

Now approaching the second year of both diagnoses, I wish I could provide a simple answer but I am still struggling to add back pounds. I've gained 10 of the pounds; I follow the diabetes/ckd diet along with exercise and hope that gradually more weight will be added. By doing this, I have improved both diabetes and ckd gfr values and feel fine but with less energy than before these two diagnoses.

Have you considered asking for a doc referral to a dietitian? It took 4 requests to my pcp and nephrologist for the referral needed for ins. coverage but after going, I would have gladly paid out-of-pocket for the plan provided.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to FlowerPreciousLover]

I too have had similar experience (CKD3b) and too have pre-diabetes so have to watch sugar intake, plus a pill (cinnamon) for it. I lost weight after started the CKD diet and got down to 138 from 165. I have put back on almost 10 lbs and adjusted to the diet.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

HI Green

There are some simple tricks to add calories here and there. However you should see a renal dietican to review what you are eating now and what is safe for you. But I'll give some ideas for you. On your vegetables, add some olive oil while they are warm. If peanut butter or other nut butters are OK for you, have them as a snack on fruit or crackers. Just watch the salt. Use natural nut butters and not Jiff or Peter Pan. Cook with butter as often as you can. Chicken cooked in butter is amazing. Just add it to the end of the cooking and a splash of wine and cook down. Yummy. If you are not diabetic, pasta is a great product to consume for weight gain. Add veggies and season with garlic and olive oil, no tomato sauce. Spend the money on your oils. It makes a big difference in taste. Try peanut and sesame oils for different flavors. Cheese is a big calorie bomb and you can enjoy some for most renal diets in moderation. Eat between meals something small like a hunk of cheese and an apple. Or PB on apple slices. I used to eat celery stuffed with PB but now I use laughing cow lo fat cream cheese. Nuts can be good for you if you do not have phosphorous issues. Mayo is a great flavor additive and not only on sandwiches. Try coating whitefish or chicken with it and roll in parmasean cheese ad bread crumbs and bake.

But you really need to see a dietician because there are so many things to consider with diet and safe foods. I have the opposite issue as you do. I look at food and put on weight. When I switiched to a renal diet, I did lose weight and have managed to contain any weight gain. But it is hard because I LOVE to cook and bake.