Renal Diabetic Diet Tips

Posted: January 31, 2012 | Author: Chronic Kidney Disease Admin | Filed under: Renal Diabetic Diet | Tags: phosphorus, potassium, salt, sodium |Leave a comment »

As irony that following a healthy renal diabetic diet will likely leave you in better shape than before you were diagnosed quickly starts to fade – no one doubts or denies the importance of eating well.

With over half the people diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease also having diabetes – remember you’re not on your own!

It’s important you plan your meals and food intake to control your blood glucose, reduce the amount of waste and fluid filtered by your kidneys and carefully manage your calorie intake.

Eating the right amounts of protein, carbohydrates and fats while simultaneously reducing sodium (salt), potassium, phosphorus and fluids. Controling these while maintaining your blood sugar levels will be the focus of your diet.

If sounds complicated but it needn’t be and there are useful guides with hints, tips and recipe ideas – Click HERE.

Key to a successful renal diabetic diet is understanding that our modern day stores are packed full of products – not food. It makes reading food labelling an essential and scary task (when you start to realize how much so-called healthy food is actually full of salt, sugar and other nasties).

For many of us, carbohydrates make up the bulk of our diet and has a massive impact on blood sugar levels. White breads, for example are ok while brown breads and potatoes are for the most part best avoided. The key here is picking foods that are low in sodium, potassium and phosphorus.

Lean cuts of meat for protein, chicken and fish are usually on the menu with fatty, salted meats best avoided (bacon, canned meats, pepperoni and sausage).

Fats are an essential part of our diet and margarines low in trans-fats, mayonnaise and sour cream are generally ok.

[Note: Always consult with your dietician or doctor before adding or changing your diet]

As a general rule of thumb, if there is more than one ingredient it’s a product (not a food) so TV dinners are out, sauces, pizzas, marinades, candy and soda are all out.

While working with your dietician and doctor it is important to remember that everyone and every case is unique. Keeping a food diary of not just what you eat, but how you feel is very important. Make a note of your energy levels throughout the day.

References:

http://ndt.oxfordjournals.org/content/14/11/2577.full

http://www.davita.com/kidney-disease/diet-and-nutrition/diet-basics/diet-tips-for-diabetics-with-kidney-disease/e/5328

http://www.aakp.org/print-version/dsp_article.cfm?cat=24&subCat=37&topic=191&art=566

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