Restaurants and Dialysis!

[MP11]

On dialysis now, and wondering if any other dialysis patients eat at restaurants at all, or strictly avoid???

[Live_Positive]

I keep count of potassium, Phosphorus and protin intake. I manage my travel that way, I am not on dialysis yet, but I am very careful. I try to keep totka count less than 1000 mg. It is tricky, but not impossible. Like subway, I take veggie option with no protin. I always google the nutrition facts before I eat. I mostly eat fresh food and never frozen.

[MsTrice]

I eat out, but my potassium and phosphorus are under control. I stopped taking binders over a year ago. So you will want to know your numbers. You should be doing monthly labs and consulting with a dietician. This is best way to know what you can eat and what you cant. Some months I need more or less of something. But overall ive done well enough to not feel my diet is super restrictive. I pretty much eat what i want now with no issues. Stay away from soda. I drink mostly water and hot tea. All things in moderation is a good motto. So you can have things you enjoy like a soda but in moderation. And make sure to avoid high sodium foods they are everywhere. Good luck!

[TaffyTwoshoes27 in reply to MsTrice]

What do you eat that has allowed you to have a good phosphorus level yet stop taking phosphorus binders? That is my worst enemy. Any tips will be helpful. BTW, I hate cooking!

[MsTrice in reply to TaffyTwoshoes27]

I just paid attention to my labs and talked to my dietician until i got it under control and no longer needed binders. Also noticed when i stopped hemo and started daily PD my phosphorus issues all but disappeared. Best to you!

[TaffyTwoshoes27 in reply to MsTrice]

Yes, I have monthly labs. On PD. My Phos is a little higher than ranges but not much. I haven’t had a soda in 25 yrs! That crap will kill you! Lol. I have only 1 cup of coffee a day (b/c of phos), but I do have to chew 1,00 mg Fosrenol at every meal. It, along with PD, causes chronic constipation. If it isn’t one thing….it’s another. I’ve talked to my dietician and constantly see posters on the clinic walls about what foods to stay away from.

[MP11 in reply to MsTrice]

Outstanding answers from ALL. Thank you very kindly! I hate that anyone else has to live with this, but it is really nice to know I am not alone!

[07gmctruck in reply to MP11]

you are not alone,there are alot of dialysis patients,maybe too many.i;m starting my 6th year in sept.i pretty much eat what i want in moderation and my labs come back good most of the time.good luck

[Shelbert66]

We know what we can & can't have. Enjoy yourself go out.Most menus have enough choices you can find something within our diet. Also, most places will let you substitute items. I love to order a chef salad, hold the tomatoes, with whatever dressing on the side. (I have different dressing every time just because I like them all) I haven't gone to a restaurant that won't let you trade French fries for a salad.

Just read the menu........... & MODERATION................

[TaffyTwoshoes27]

I do not eat in restaurants as much since covid, but I want to refer you to this pamphlet or booklet that I purchased off the AAKP.org website.

It is very convenient and will easily fit in a purse or a pocket. It has the ingredients, i.e., potassium, phos, etc., of many restaurant and fast food items. It was only about $1.

Check it out at AAKP.org.

Nutrition Counter AAKP

[checkman]

I have been on dialysis for 11 years and have never stopped going to restaurants. You need to take phosphorus binders and/or potassium meds with you and try the best you can to watch what you put in your mouth.