Questions for Dietitian

[Campbellgirl]

I will be meeting with a dietitian tomorrow. What questions should I ask her? What questions helped you most? Thanks, in advance. Campbell Girl

[Sophiebun11]

First make sure she'll have access to your recent bloodwork so she can recommend a specific diet for you.

She will ask you a lot of questions about what foods you eat throughout the day.

As for questions for her ask about foods to absolutely avoid, and if your favorite foods are ok to have occasionally or not.

A plant based diet is best for CKD. Many dieticians don't know that and will recommend meat as your protein so be sure to ask about a plant based diet if she doesn't recommend it.

Best of luck. I hope you come away with some helpful information so you can make smart diet choices and improve your CKD.

[Campbellgirl in reply to Sophiebun11]

Hi Sophiebun,Thank you for the suggestions. I have a few questions for the dietitian, but I'm sure I'm missing something important. Thanks for suggesting I bring my labwork. Campbell Girl

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

Here is a link from National Kidney Foundation about nutrition and stage 1-4 CKD. This might be of help for question for dietitian. kidney.org/nutrition/Kidney...

[Campbellgirl in reply to orangecity41]

Thank you, Orange City.

[RoxanneKidney]

If you are stage 3, they will basically tell you to eat anything you want. So don't listen to any of it and go vegan. Let us know what was said. Obviously my appointment wasn't helpful at all.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to RoxanneKidney]

I was diagnosed at level 3b, and due to blood work showing high potassium, phosphorus and sodium, I was put on diet restricting them. So far my eGFR has improved .

[RoxanneKidney in reply to orangecity41]

My GP actually told me to eat more protein because I was spilling it and it needed to be replaced. OH Help us.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to RoxanneKidney]

Oh my. Have to do what is best for ourselves.

[BabyTee in reply to RoxanneKidney]

I was diagnosed with albuminuria and was losing 15g of protein/day through my urine.

My nephrologist told me to eat 1kg of protein for every kg I weigh (60g/day). At least half has to be "high-quality protein" which he defined as animal products or soy. With diabetes, I have to consider carbs with items like quinoa, beans, lentils, and peas. Depending on yoru level of kidney disease, you may have to limit nuts, because of phosphorus.

My dieticians have always recommended soy-based products. My endo told me not to eat soy products, because I was over 40 years old. She said it can affect hormone levels in females, and that is more of a hormonal problem if you are premenopausal. Hormones can affect blood sugar levels. (your doc may say different)

I am not giving diet advice. We are all different, and have kidney disease for different reasons, and have different problems from it, so your diet should be tailored to you.

Dieticians are pretty good at proposing diets based on your preferences and based on your needs.

Since you asked: Let the dietician know:

If you want to lose/gain weight

If you are allergic or sensitive to any foods

If you dislike/won't eat something

If you love certain foods

If you are deficient in/ or need to limit certain nutrients (check out your bloodwork)

[RoxanneKidney in reply to BabyTee]

Interesting thanks

[RoxanneKidney in reply to BabyTee]

I noticed that I can tolerate all beans except spit peas

[horsie63 in reply to RoxanneKidney]

Me too but I just can't. I'm having issues with loss of appetite and nausea.

[horsie63 in reply to RoxanneKidney]

Mine either. I'm at this point 98% vegan as I eat a little chicken and some hard boiled eggs every now and then. The thought of meat at this point makes me gag. And factory farming is nauseating.

[Campbellgirl in reply to RoxanneKidney]

After I talked with the Dietitian she gave me a bunch of hand-outs and said to watch my sodium, potassium, protein and phosphorus. I knew that from the DaVita KidnetSmart class. I've been doing the Jenny Craig diet for 22 weeks and she said to change my diet gradually. She also recommended a cookbook that got terrible reviews on Amazon. I am a little disappointed. Thanks to everyone who responded to my question.

[RoxanneKidney in reply to Campbellgirl]

hang in there---drink water and eat as clean as possible.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

That sounds like my diet which is restricted on those items. I did get more detailed diet. I also attended a Davita class that was helpful.