Plant based diet

[Yankees28]

Hello. I really want to start eating awhile foods plant based diet. I saw a nutritionist but unfortunately it did not seem as if she thought it was a good idea. Can following a plant based diet help raise gfr levels?

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

There are no promises. BUT.... I went PB (plant based) in February. I am not perfect and do enjoy some things like occasional cheese, lo fat real butter, and I did have some turkey once in a blue moon like Thanksgiving, but not much. I gave up my everyday eggs, diary creamer and went with almond creamer which is better, no chicken or fish and I watch even things that sneak animal protein in like broth. The first thing I noticed was I felt fantastic and continue to feel fantastic. The best news was I brought my GFR up 2 points, which for me was fabulous since I was stage 5 and went to stage 4. But even better was my creatinine dropped.40 points. All my other labs improved and my hemocrit and hemoglobin remained ok. I do take B12 since that was low, but it was low before. If nothing else, lessening the protein load on your kidneys makes eating more veggies and fruits better for you. If you do it gradually, like make at least one meal a week meatless, it's a good way to start.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador]

Hi Yankees 28,

A plant based diet works well for some, but it is the choices of foods that you eat and quantities/ portions based on your labs that is key.

Sodium, types of protein, potassium in vegetables and phosphorous as well as water are the key points in putting together a diet.

Questions:

Did this nutritionist review your labs and make dietary suggestions?

What were the reasons presented to you regarding why he/ she felt that this would not be the " best" diet for you?

What alternative food choices were offered?

Have you spoken to your nephrologist and GP about your labs and wish to go plant based or partial?

What were their thoughts and suggestions?

The suggestions here are based on each members life experiences and labs.

For a member to tell you that this diet is appropriate for you is not within our jurisdiction, but we are here to discuss, support.

What food selections may be appropriate for one member, may not be for another.

I have been plant based for years. I did see a Renal Dietician for suggestions but my GP and nephrologist have been most helpful and are great about monitoring my labs.

Give your doctor a call and discuss this as well as the words of the dietician that you saw with him/ her.

Get back to me and let me know how you are doing. Bear in mind that this is all a process.

Bet

[Jayhawker in reply to Bet117]

Excellent advice!

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to Jayhawker]

Thanks Jayhawker! In my thoughts. Hope that you are doing well.

B...

[Yankees28 in reply to Bet117]

I am going to reach out to my doctor. Thank you for responding back to me. It is great advice.

[Darlenia in reply to Bet117]

Yes, this is great advice. The underlying condition for kidney disease can influence the direction of a diet a lot - for instance diabetes.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to Darlenia]

Darlenia,

I totally agree with your thoughts.

Patients who are diabetic, have high BP and other diseases paralleling kidney disease do so much better when attentive to a diet geared to their individual needs.

My brother falls into both categories.

Thanks for reaching out.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to Bet117]

Very good explanation.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to orangecity41]

Thanks Orange City. We all are a team!

[RoxanneKidney]

It is probably one of the very few things that can. In June of this year I have a macro level of protein in my urine..and I don't eat half bad, but then I made sure that I increase the fruits and veggies, lowered the salt/sodium (it is a killer when it come to kidneys regardless of your sodium in blood level), and drank more water...and my GFR went from 42 back up to 58 in six month. I also dont drink or smoke or drink pop/soda etc. And I have tried to destress. But I did have to take lisinopril because the stress would causing some bp spikes. SO ifyou haven't done it, do it. And make sure every day counts. Nothing else will help like the diet does.

[Ziggydoodah]

I have been trying to eat a more plant based diet too. My gfr is 13 and had a meeting with the hospital dietician on Wednesday. The first time I have seen one. I was told to ditch the plant based diet as I need more protein from meat. I was advised to have a muffin for breakfast and eat more beef, sausages and chicken. I have to say, i sat there thinking...are you for real??? The meal plans she was suggesting were highly processed and full of sugars and carbs. My potassium levels etc are ok. Its the protein in my urine that is the concern. I feel as if its my bad eating habits that got me here in the first place. I am continuing to eat a more plant based diet. Good luck on your journey, whatever you decide to do. Im based in Scotland.

[lowraind in reply to Ziggydoodah]

From my experience, hospital based dieticians do not have a background that includes helping patients with CKD. When, after much requesting, they finally granted me an audience with a dietician, I ended up teaching her about CKD, not the opposite.

[Darlenia in reply to lowraind]

Agree. I think it applies to any number of dietitians. Our "renal" dietician recommended my hubby, a diabetic, eat high sugar and carb items like rice, white bread, high sugar fruits, etc. - she wasn't interested in working with both the diabetes and renal diets. Our primary doctor took over from her.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Ziggydoodah]

Holy smokes Ziggy,That's incredible and scary. Maybe she is connected to dialysis and gets points for pushing people towards it.

[RoxanneKidney in reply to Ziggydoodah]

I agree with everyone below, even the renal dietician at Mayo was lame. Tofu for example, is an excellent protein, and even at the later stages, researchers are finding that plant protein is superior to animal meats. As far as the dieticians go, ask for their research. If they cannot produce it, then that means they are living in the dark ages. If they can produce it, then read it and look for flaws in the studies: For example, how many participants were tested. Was the test randomized and did the test have a control group. etc.

[Kbristow]

I'm learning about plant-based diet too, especially for the kidney patient. NKF had one podcast episode addressing this topic: kidney.org/podcast/hot-topi.... (Episode 7)

[Halebopp]

I would listen to your nephrologist & hopefully they have some nutritional knowledge. I saw a ‘renal’ dietitian, who is apparently still looking at research from the 60’s & 70’s! I researched plant based diets & CKD, then talked to my nephrologist. She encouraged the plant based diet. I’ve been practicing plant based for a couple of years & my CKD has seen improvement. Definitely talk to your doctors & have regular labs. The dietitians apparently need to go back to school!

[Jamok]

Hi Yankees28,

My ckd is from a genetic mutation called MUC 1 ADTKD. I’ve been eating a modified plant based diet mostly eliminating animal protein except for special occasions ( like Turkey on Thanksgiving). I was able to raise my gfr to 14 from 12 in June but then went back down to 12 on the next labs at the end of September. It doesn’t seem like much of an improvement but at least it kept me stable!I know I eat too much dairy and I’m trying to cut that back along with oil which can be inflammatory.

[horsie63]

Look at ALL of your lab work not just eGFR or creatinine. I tried plant based and lost weight I can not afford to lose. I have hyperthyroidism so I burn through calories like they are water and I can't get enough on plant based. In addition my serum ALB is now 2.9 which is way too low. In my particular situation going plant based and low protein did nothing to help my progression. I don't eat red meat, don't eat dairy. I do eat some chicken and shrimp when I can but mostly plain pasta, some peanut butter and the few veggies I can tolerate. Not everyone does well on plant based. Watch your entire labs.