Breakfast for Stage IV CKD and Diabetes

[HSV21]

What can you eat for breakfast in Stage IV CKD that is fast and you don't have to be in the kitchen an hour. I want something simple that can give me the nutrition I need (diabetic and CKD), that won't blow my carbs and that I don't have to think about too much to prepare?

[Darlenia]

Hi! My hubby is a T2D who went on dialysis in June last year and received a kidney in June this year. I'm very happy to see that you're interested in taking control of your diabetes as that is what took out my hubby's kidneys. He tried hard to avoid kidney collapse and started his journey to lose sugar levels and weight but unfortunately it didn't happen in time. He completed his journey a few months after he started PD dialysis (even though that uses glucose in its solutions) much to the surprise and and congratulations from his physicians. The whole key is to not only avoid sugar but also carbs. The renal and diabetes diets can be at odds with each other, and we chose to put most of our energy into eradicating the stranglehold of diabetes since it not only affects kidneys, but also the heart, etc.

Our breakfast may be a frittata (or omelet style) of breakfast. We sprinkle mushrooms, veggies, and little cheese, maybe a few bacon bits, on top of an egg or two, and serve with a cup of coffee or tea. If we want bread with breakfast, we use low carb bread from major grocery stores, often located on bottom shelves. (We often shop at Wal-Mart and Aldi.) Major chains also have low carb/sugar jams and jellies. They also carry Keto (low carb) pancake and waffle mix. If we want fruit with breakfast, we purchase low carb/sugar "berry type" fruits - blueberries, strawberries, etc. We always use no-sugar syrups. If we we want muffins and so on, we mix coconut or almond flour in with a little bit of regular flour - all are available at most grocery stores. There are many extremely fast "coffee cup" recipes on the internet; for example the sugar free carrot mug cake (muffin), perfect for a quick breakfast. For sugar in recipes, we use Swerve as the baking substitute, available at most major grocery stores. You can also add a teaspoon or so of psyllium husk powder when baking which reduces carbs. For hash browns or homestyle potatoes, one can substitute cauliflower (riced or chopped up). If you decide to go with regular potatoes, boil and reboil a few times, draining off the starchy (carb) water each time. There are also Keto breakfast bars available at most stores. Yes, a quick, healthy breakfast is entirely possible for those with diabetes!

I'd like to add that we became huge label readers, so many things are passed off as "natural" or "healthy" and they are not. If we could roll back the clock, we would have taken care of matters at the time my husband's A1C's first indicated trouble lurked ahead. We simply waited too long and suffered the consequences. His mother, when told she was about to be placed on medication, immediately changed her ways, never went on meds, and lived well into her 80s. Sadly, others in his family suffered blindness, limb amputations, etc. My hubby's transplant center is fully aware of his T2D which has resurfaced because of the immunosuppressants. Their emphasis is on my hubby following a diabetic diet. I hope some of my suggestions work for you. I'm wishing you much success in putting diabetes in its place! You have so much to gain in putting that monster far away from you.

[jodaer]

I'm T2 Diabetic and CKD Stage 3. My usual breakfast is a boiled egg, small (1oz) of uncured ham,, Alvarado Street Bakery sprouted wheat bread w/organic home made PB. I used to drink a glass of V-8, low sodium until my potassium went off the chart. I use an electric egg boiler. All in all the breakfast takes about 15 minutes but it's not one you need to watch. On days I get tired of that I will scramble an egg with green pepper, onion and cheese.

[HSV21 in reply to jodaer]

Thank you both for the suggestions, looks like an omelet is my only choice here, which takes so much effort. Maybe I just wait for lunch. But right now my renal dietician and nephro agree, no bread of any kind. My A1C is 8.1, but that has only come about in the past year. I do feel I can easily get that back down to 5+ especially with new med - Ozempic. I was at high 5's low 6's for at least the past two years. Kidneys have deteriorated since last December to Stage 4. No bread of any kind, no potatoes, oats, beans or peas, legumes for now. I can eat 3 oz of lean meats per meal, or 1 egg. Potassium has come down, but phosphorus is at the high end of normal so want to get that down before adding these others. I just can't find any recipes, even on DaVita that fit this stage and my restrictions. Appreciate your suggestions.

[Sophiebun11 in reply to HSV21]

You can hard boil eggs ahead of time and have one for breakfast. That takes no effort. You could also have greek yogurt, low fat cottage cheese, or make ahead an egg and vegetable casserole so you could cut off a piece and heat it in the microwave. Prepping food ahead of time helps make it easier to eat healthfully. It's not good to skip breakfast and wait until lunch. If you really hate prepping food see if someone will help you and both make enough for your friend and yourself to have meals for the week. You can spend a few hours on the weekend and have food all ready.

🐇

[itzmich in reply to HSV21]

Make a big batch of egg whites and chopped veggies in muffin tins and freeze. They take about a min to heat in the micro wave. They sell store bought but it's more kidney friendly to make your own.

[Sammi_n_Munk in reply to HSV21]

Hi there HSV21! If you’re trying to lower your phosphorus levels, it would be a good idea to steer away from egg yolks (consuming only the whites for awhile), nuts, seeds, beans and other legumes, as well as sodas (especially dark sodas), and chocolate. These all tend to be higher in phosphorus. All in all though, it sounds like you have things under proper control! Kudos to you on your great efforts to get your health under control! All my best to you! God bless. 😊👍🙏

[Tissybell in reply to HSV21]

You can nourish yourself quickly in the am with s ready to serve protein drink or mix in water with a piece of fru

[Tissybell in reply to HSV21]

Wow, what tough diet. You can find dairy-free protein drinks and bars and lo-carb pastas and grains.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

An easy peasy is using one of these lo card wraps. You can scramble an egg if you eat protein. I use cream cheese and fruit for a blintz type idea. You can put anything you want in them and roll them up and away you go. I am not affiliated with Tumaros in anyway. Just like this product. tumaros.com/

[HSV21]

Thank you all. No dairy, which includes greek yogurt, cream cheese, anything but maybe vegan cheese and rice milk (don't like almond). I have reached out to dietician about whether the carb restriction is due to Stage IV or A1C level. I will adjust, just would like a resource for recipes for all three meals that fit this very restrictive diet. Have not found DaVita useful as it usually includes some form of carb or bread, muffins, etc. She did say Corn Chex and non-dairy milk, which is easy. I can do that for breakfast. Thanks for all your suggestions.

[OKShakespeare]

Seeing the comments here concerning eggs-how can that work on a low protein CKD diet? Low protein meaning little to no meat or eggs and possibly use of plant protein supplements instead. There are 6 grams of protein in one egg. Add some cheese and you've increased the animal protein. There are proteins in veggies too so if you eat a day's worth of calories you will take in a lot of protein, some of which is incorporated in foods we don't consider as being protein. Maybe a salad for breakfast? Sounds strange, but might be a good plan.

[Skeptix in reply to OKShakespeare]

I can squeeze in the odd egg based omelette but it does mean closely managing protein for the rest of the day. I'm trying to get from 0.48gr/kg dietary down to 0.43 g/kg so it's tight.

I make the omlette on 1 x full egg and 1 x egg white + a drop of milk.

It's more just to relieve the slight bit of tedium that comes with all plant. There's just something about animal protein!!

A bit of fake cheese included, a dab of pesto (off all things) and Yum!

But only occasionally.

[OKShakespeare in reply to Skeptix]

Makes sense to me as an all plant diet is really not crave worthy. Vegetarians who enjoy what they are doing are one thing. Those who have to do it against their own tastebuds are just laboring along miserably. Breaking the tedium helps.

[Skeptix in reply to OKShakespeare]

That's it in a nutshell. It can be made tolerable. But let's not kid ourselves. A mate was teasing me the other day " what, no doorstep loaf with a few slices of bacon and thick with butter for breakfast". My mouth was watering..

[OKShakespeare in reply to Skeptix]

Well, quality of life is important. I guess in order to have a better quality some may have to decide that it is more important than quantity.

[Darlenia in reply to OKShakespeare]

Hi! The short answer to your question is that the OP is a diabetic. Diabetics can not have sugars and carbs. That largely leaves proteins (eggs, fish, chicken, etc.) and low sugar/carb fruits and veggies (many are sweet). Proteins will not fuel sugar levels. Diabetics have to put the horse (diabetes) in the front, and the cart (kidney damage) in back. Caring only about the kidney damage and eating fruits, veggies, rice, breads, etc. will only boomerang and increase the damage inflicted on the kidneys by the diabetes. A diabetic's primary focus should be following the diabetes diet. I often think there should be a separate category on HealthUnlocked for DKD (Diabetic Kidney Disease).

[OKShakespeare in reply to Darlenia]

Due to gluconeogenis the liver converts proteins into sugars. That process is something that fools many into believing that all is well when not consuming carbs.

[Darlenia in reply to OKShakespeare]

Diabetics don't function like the usual individual. The T2D disorder occurs when your body's natural processes don't work properly and indeed are sabotaged - T2D, a metabolic disorder, is in the process of being labeled a serious autoimmune disorder. For example, my husband's BUN improved when eliminating sugars and carbs and keeping protein. I'm curious, are you a T2D? I'd be interested in your experiences.

[OKShakespeare in reply to Darlenia]

Yes, but I am really not as careful with my diet as I should be. I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also an autoimmune disease, so the body processes that should be taking care of sugars as well as cholesterol, etc. are impacted. Even if I am mostly vegetarian my glucose is too high and after checking into it and doing my own reference work I learned about the ways the body can convert one substance into a completely different one. What I try to do is take Metformin when I can remember it as well as Glucobay, chromium, and other supplements that are supposed to contribute to reducing processes that create high glucose readings. Semi-successful but I am not really happy about results that skim just below the type 2 reference range. Sugar is dangerous for everyone unless it is well below 100. I know the local lab's reference range says 99 or 100 is fine but it isn't.

[Darlenia in reply to OKShakespeare]

Well, we're very complex creatures! Do keep an eye on your sugars - glucose, for diabetics, layers on the plaque and incapacitates blood vessels everywhere including those in our precious kidneys. Sounds like you're doing a good job in seeking out foods and medications that work for you. May this, as well as science, bring all diabetics a nice long, life!

[UniqueCKD in reply to Darlenia]

I would love to chat with you Darlenia! I used to run a T2DM reversal company and now am working on CKD. Have you ever tried any mind-body approaches? See link: bit.ly/3v9ktJ7

[Skeptix]

True. Depending on what constitutes quality and quantity.

The undoubted quality of life obtained by continuing to eat rasher sandwiches (mmmm!!) appears to lead to a significant quantity of life lacking in quality (a.k.a. a life quantity spent in dialysis or living with increasing severe symptoms of CKD /CVD).

[OKShakespeare in reply to Skeptix]

A conundrum.

[Tissybell]

Your A1c level calls for low sugar and carbs. Your CKD explains the potassium and phosphorous control. My doc rcommends a Tums brfore eating. I have to watch my calcium level, tho. You might search a diabetic recipe list and compare the kidney recipes t

[OKShakespeare in reply to Tissybell]

Doesn't Tums have aluminum in it?

[Tissybell in reply to OKShakespeare]

I do not see it on the label. I'm looking at the generic form

[Tissybell]

Have you tried making your meals ahead of time?

[HSV21]

Pleased to report since all my numbers have come down, my dietician added in some things that make a renal diet tolerable. And she simplified the formula for what to eat in simple terms I cannot get as confused by. I can eat the same categories each meal, just add an extra oz. of protein for lunch and dinner to make three oz. for a total of 8 oz. per day, which really is a lot for me compared to my own self limiting of the past two months. protein + starch + fruit + fat + unlimited veggies + dairy substitute + herbs and spices. 1 serving of each except the veggies. The fruits, especially pineapple are usually enough to satisfy my sweet tooth. And if I eat my plateful of food, it is enough to satisfy my hunger. Not losing much weight yet, but I am still at the lowest dose of Ozempic. It has lowered my glucose to normal ranges though. Thanks for everyone's input and support.

[UniqueCKD]

I used to run a Health Value Award nominated diabetes telehealth company, now working on CKD. Have you ever tried any mind-body approaches to lower GFR? maybe like this? bit.ly/3v9ktJ7