leeching vegetables

[70Beach]

If one starts with broccoli or potatoes green beans etc and then you have to leech out the potassium- and boil the vegetables- doesn’t that just take all the nutrition out of the vegetables? I always thought that steaming or eating raw vegetables preserved the nutrients and boiling just took all the good stuff out? So how does all this boiling and leaching end up with something actually nutritious on your plate? Wouldn’t it be better to eat a smaller portion and actually get all the nutrients -good and bad? What is the point of eating lifeless vegetables? How can people actually thrive on a Ckd diet without getting malnourished?

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

There is still nutrtion in the vegetables. Boiling and leeching does not remove everything. It is just a suggestion to help build up food groups you can eat with less worry.

[70Beach in reply to Bassetmommer]

from NIH about bioavailability of various foods- very complex interactions and not all well understood. From my readings of NIH studies and meta studies the science around what to eat is not well understood on an individual personal level. So many variables it’s mind numbing.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[jodaer]

I'm with you. I just eat less of the foods that are not the best choice. I also don't eat veggies for the most part.

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Never been told leach anything but potatoes. Never had high potassium.

[ellen3]

Not got a problem with potassium but do have a problem with protein. Does anyone else experience this and if so, aside from having a vegan diet, how do you manage?

[Starrstruck in reply to ellen3]

I have the same and since protein is mostly what fills you up,honestly I stay hungry

[Sammi_n_Munk in reply to ellen3]

Regarding the proteins, I tend to eat mainly egg whites, and I treat myself the odd time to a yolk or two. I only consume chicken now (I once included lean pork, but not any longer), but again, very rarely with these types of protein. I also use cream cheese, and other cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, provolone (mostly the lower fat versions though, as I’m also a chronic gout sufferer), and also plain yogourt that I add my own artificial sweetener to (also a type 2 diabetic). I can’t even remember the last time I had an actual beef or veal steak! Lol! For that matter, I also can’t remember the last time I consumed any fish. Unfortunately, this is the meal plan for a person living with co-morbidities. It’s all about leaching, limiting, avoiding, researching, crying (😂 - lol)! You start to adjust to it. If I didn’t do that, I’d be feeling sick most of the time. I completely understand how you feel. It’s like we have to re-learn what’s healthy for us, and what agrees with our condition. ❤️🙏

[Starrstruck]

I only leach potatoes, and not very often. I eat a lot of cauliflower in many different ways,I don't leach it

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to Starrstruck]

Hi Starstruck,

Gosh, you shouldn't be hungry. There are many foods and low potassium fruits and vegetables which will make you feel full also how you prepare them.

I roast cauliflower, zucchini squash, onions, red and green peppers with onion, garlic powders, smoky organic paprika and drizzle olive oil and red wine vinegar before cooking them. Good for dinner and munching.

I eat alot of cabbage and make it many ways including stuffed with quinoa and onion, peppers and spices.

I don't have a problem with potassium and often dip vegetables in hummus, buying the brand's with the lowest sodium. I get protein there and am not hungry.

Buy low sodium and calorie flat breads. Add lettuce, onion, peppers and salad dressing. Makes a great sandwich.

Salads with lots of vegetables and beans are also good.

Pasta can be made with vegetables. Either use garlic and olive oil or watch the low sodium spaghetti sauce as tomatoes are high in potassium.

Pop your own popcorn without the salt.

Many alternatives are out there. Perhaps a dietician can help.

Sending a few links. Hope they help.

davita.com/diet-nutrition/a...

nephcure.org/livingwithkidn...

Bet

[Starrstruck in reply to Bet117]

That was very helpful thanks

[horsie63]

The only time my potassium got high was when I was delayed for 12 hours in the Denver airport after spending a week helping my daughter move and getting dehydrated. While I was taking Losartan my potassium was high normal so I avoided high potassium food, easy peasy. Now that I'm on dialysis my potassium is low so I'm eating bananas, potatoes, tomatoes...all the good stuff.

There are other fruits and veggies that are not high in potassium that you can eat and stay nutrionally healthy. You just have to know your labs and do a little research for the right foods.

[RhenDutchess123]

Thats why most of us are Anemic...Kidney Disease is so complicated..

[Dana66CKD in reply to RhenDutchess123]

I asked my pcp to consult with Nephrologist and find out if ok to take iron supplement. Not daily. Maybe once/week or every two weeks? H&H slightly below normal. MD said iron level normal 5 days ago. Have dropped 39#, but weight still wnl.

[Halebopp]

I agree that you destroy many of the nutrients when you leech the vegetables. If your CKD is 3A/B, you shouldn’t have to leech your vegetables. Just eat smaller portions of the high potassium ones, as you suggested, & don’t eat all high potassium foods all in one day. And watch your labs!

[RonZone in reply to Halebopp]

I sneak one of my dad's french fries when he gets them... It is SOO good, but I stick to just one to keep my potassium low. So I do "extreme" version of portion control--one french fry.

[70Beach in reply to RonZone]

OMG THE SELF CONTROL YOU HAVE IS BEYOND BELIEF!

[Dana66CKD in reply to 70Beach]

Unfortunately, you learn it because the end result for me was feeling ill in several ways. Too many to list.I love food but want to feel as close to normal as I can. It's been such a change since first diagnosed in 2022🙏😪.

[nascar4433 in reply to Halebopp]

Be careful suggesting "you shouldn't have to leech your vegetables". If you have high potassium levels, like I do, and take a potassium blocker, it's wise to leech things that are high in potassium. You don't lose all nutrients. I love carrots, but have to eat less of them, and if I'm making soup/stew at home, I leech them. They still taste great and I don't notice the difference. Better than not being able to eat them at all.

[Halebopp in reply to nascar4433]

I agree, better to eat some, than none. Like I said, you have to watch your labs. If your labs show high potassium, you would need to make modifications.

[barbara55109]

Eat to your labs, not to the general CKD advice all over the web. I have no colon. I have CKD from dehydration. I NEED potassium and salt to survive. My phosphorus is slightly high so I cut way down on dark soda and take a binder with meals. We need to eat to our personal labs.

[70Beach in reply to barbara55109]

do binders have any side effects that bother you? Are they over the counter or by rx only?

[barbara55109 in reply to 70Beach]

Rx. I don't get any side effects.

[htpi1543]

when my potassium got high, my nephro gave me Lokylma a potassium binder and it brought potassium in limits. I took twice a week.

[seabreezegirl]

I would just suggest limit potatoes . Broccoli and cauliflower are good for you .

So is cabbage and red bell peppers. I eat Organic veggies as I do not feel our weakened kidneys need pesticides!!

Especially on the bell peppers they are known to pick up great amounts of pesticides and are one of the " dirty dozen " . So eat them organic .

Eat 1/2 cup cabbage each day . ( At leat for myself it brought me back from 3A to stage 2 . )

No chocolate. Every once in a while maybe for a treat small piece , very seldom

Cherries and berries are very good for your kidneys

( Organic ) .

No orange or grapefruits or juice to much Potasium.

No sweet potatoes or yams (maybe a small portion once in a while . )

You just mush look this stuff up make a list of beneficial foods to eat .

And high Potasium and Phosphorus foods to avoid .

I made a list and hung it in the kitchen until I memorized it .

Then when shopping or dinning out , or at someone home you know what to eat and what not to eat .

DeVita lists top good 15 foods to eat . Just Google their list .

Remember as you research foods "good " for kidneys are many times listed for people who do NOT have kidney disease. ( So make sure what website you are on . )

Good luck