You all talk about grocery shopping and cooking the right foods but I don’t have the energy and don’t enjoy the taste of food anymore.

[KGsrKGsr]

Fatigue Huge Problem

[Jayhawker]

I can definitely relate to the lack of energy and not feeling well enough to cook. I’ll share what I’ve been doing:

1. I use a 3-in-1 Cuisinart slow cooker. It has an insert that is dishwasher safe so cleanup is MUCH easier. It also has an automatic shut off so if I fall asleep while it’s cooking it will shut off; I won’t burn my house down. (I live alone.) I can brown meat in it. I can roast meat and veggies in it. I can also use it as a slow cooker/crockpot. So, I can brown the meat first then add my veggies and liquid to slow cook my soups or stews. It’s an all in one device so only one pot (the insert) to cleanup.

2. I make two recipes on the weekend about every 3 weeks. I then subdivide them into individual servings and freeze them. I then only need to heat a serving up in my microwave for dinner in the evening.

3. I buy the veggies etc I need to cook on Fri. I use Instacart to deliver the food to my house. I chop the veggies Fri evening. When I’m really exhausted I but chopped fresh veggies and frozen veggies so I only need to measure what I need for the recipe. (My grocery store has individual containers of chopped fresh veggies.)

4. I put the stuff in the crock pot Saturday morning for my first recipe. I may need to brown the meat first but not all my recipes require that. And at this point I’m cooking nearly all recipes without meat; I’m using plant based protein. Anyway, the slow cooker does the work. After the food is cooked I subdivide it into individual freezer/microwave safe containers and freeze it. I put the slow cooker insert in my dishwasher with any other dishes that need washing and wash them.

5. I do the same to make the second recipe on Sunday.

6. I have microwave scrambled egg with 1/8 cup chopped onions and bell peppers for breakfast. I use frozen chopped onions and bell peppers. I sometimes also add some hash brown potatoes. Again frozen. I can also add a tablespoon of shredded cheese if I want. I have a toasted English muffin with just fruit spread to go with the egg. That’s breakfast every morning.

7. Lunch is odd. I have a serving of steel cut oatmeal with liquid egg whites for protein or a high protein fruit smoothie. I’m not usually very hungry at lunch.

I have 6 soup and/or stew recipes I make for dinner at this time of the year. I eat fresh dinner salads in the warmer weather.

For a treat I have a sheet pan chicken fajita recipe I like. Again it’s easy to make. There are a lot of sheet pan recipes that can be modified to be renal-friendly. Roasted veggies are a favorite of mine.

So, this is how I’m dealing with cooking sat this point. It was a serious struggle when I had severe vitamin D toxicity for10-12 months finally resolved last Dec. The cooking is much easier now. I’m still struggling to regain my strength though…

Jayhawker

[Dina0210 in reply to Jayhawker]

Have you had a kidney transplant, undergoing dialysis or ckd stage 4-5?

[Jayhawker in reply to Dina0210]

I’m currently waitlisted for a transplant but likely have 1-2 years left with the waitlist. I’m stage IV now (recent improvement from Stage V). I’m not on dialysis.Jayhawker

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Jayhawker]

Fabulous recommendations Jayhawker

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to Jayhawker]

I do similar and use a crockpot. Will look at a 3 in 1 .

[drmind in reply to Jayhawker]

I'm interested in that you seen to be eating a lot more animal protein than I am at stage 4. I guess its alright with your labs. I've been advised to only eat two meals a week of animal protein and I'm struggling with this as I had been enjoying eggs and small portions of low sodium cheese along with baked fish during the week.. And, most of my labs are good, too, with no need to watch certain items.

Your description of how and when you assemble your meals was helpful. You certainly developed a plan to get around that fatigue and malaise we all encounter. Thank you for taking the time to share it. I know it will help others as well as myself.

Hope things continue to go well for you.

[Jayhawker in reply to drmind]

I now only eat boneless skinless chicken breast 2x or 3x a week. My renal dietician advised me to eat whole eggs and liquid egg whites. I am eating plant based protein too, eg, black beans etc. I virtually never eat cheese. I can have a very small amount with my eggs for breakfast but frequently don’t. I’ve made my sheet pan chicken fajitas with plant based mock chicken breast stripe or tofu planks. I actually enjoy the tofu planks. So, at this point I eat very little actual meat on a weekly basis. But you are right, I do still eat some chicken and I’m definitely eating whole eggs several times a week.

Vita fuel is a plant based renal and diabetes friendly protein drink. Apparently lots of dialysis clinics use it. My dietician suggested I use it for 1/3 of my daily protein intake as it contains all the additional nutrients needed for my body to absorb plant based protein. (That’s a lay person’s explanation…)

Since I’m not a true vegetarian I am not totally up to speed on all the terminology. I needed to decrease more typical meat protein consumption while coming up with a diet I could easily fix and eat. So, what I shared is what my dietician advised for me. Of course, everyone should see their own renal dietitians for personalized plans. I wasn’t sharing a plant based diet with my post, instead I was sharing how I manage cooking from scratch when tired and weak while living alone..,

Jayhawker

[drmind in reply to Jayhawker]

Oh, I totally understand. I was being envious reading about all the meat protein you mentioned. Last advice I got: limit animal protein to 2x a week. I do love scrambled eggs with sateued peppers and onions or soft boiled eggs and toast and now I have to limit it to once a week. Ugh! And, I don't eat a lot of cheese, but I did find a low sodium Swiss cheese (35 mg/slice) that I enjoyed on crackers along with some cucumbers and cherry tomatoes and fruit for lunch. Now, this is a no-no. Darn. Back to the drawing board.

But, I did so enjoy reading how you manage to cope so well during those tired days. I also believe that several months ago, you mentioned some fairly low sodium frozen dinners. I got some of those Lean Cuisines and have them on hand for those super tired, total lack of energy days. Whoever thought one could be so de-energized that you didnt want to peel a cucumber?

Again thanks for all your diet tips and stay as well as possible.

[Sophiebun11 in reply to drmind]

Who peels cucumbers, the skins are good for you LOL!!! Bagged organic salad mixes are a time and energy saver too.

Now that it's so cold out, don't forget about low or no sodium canned soups. They are an easy meal. Or when you're up to it make crockpot soups and freeze in containers. Amy's Brand has some good vegetarian canned soups.

[drmind in reply to Sophiebun11]

Thanks for the tips. I find it hard to find the Amy soups here with low sodium, but I've made a great split pea soup and froze a few bowls. Ditto for a 15 bean one; but, if I do too much with the beans, the purines could set off a gout attack. That almost happened a few weeks ago when I feasted on my split pea soup and then followed it with the 15 bean soup. Both yummy. About the bagged salads: I'm taking a break from them because every week another brand is recalled for salmonella or another bacteria and many are the brands I usually buy. I just can't take a chance and get sick with something like that. It just seems as if now whenever I get sick, it takes forever to get over it. About the cucumbers, I do eat some with the skin on it....love them either way. Right now, my salads are cukes, tomatoes, carrots, peppers, etc. I'll get back to the bagged salads, but right now I'm too leery about these recalls in our area [Central Florida]. Best to you.

[Dina0210]

Thank you do much !

[Okiksaints1955]

35 years of CKD change my outlook on food. The changes in diet until I can only eat almost plain food make me look at it as just nutrition - less to enjoy. And I learned to live with that.

After kidney transplant, my Nephrologist asked me to start trying food I used to like and enjoy. But I keep going back to myalternativesa CKD diet. I do not enjoy those food anymore - to my surprise.

Even my activities changed throug those years. I still enjoy them now.

Point is - I found alternatives and learned to enjoy them. And let go those I cannot control.

Hope this helps.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Please look at our replies to this issue from 10 and 11 days ago. Sorry, but we have answered this already.