A lifetime of bad eating has left my husband with kidney disease. Not all of it is his fault as genetics predisposing him to high-blood pressure did not help, but neither did his usual lunch of chips and Pepsi.
We have always had a hands-off approach with each other when it came to indulgences. I'm independent and I get my back up when I see people criticising their partner's eating choices. Unless you're Mary Poppins and practically perfect in every way, I say live and let live. I shop healthy and there is always a good variety of fruits/veg, lean protein etc, available for meals. The problem is when we are on our own. He likes his chips, I like chocolate.
Now he's had a wake up call. If he doesn't halt the progression with lifestyle changes, he will be a candidate for dialysis.
The problem with kidney disease diets is there is a lot of leeway between what you can and can't have. I don't know about you but I do better when I have a specific plan to follow. What we have gleaned is that he should cut salt, potassium and phosphates. Eat lean protein but not too much. More fruits and vegetables. Cut back on bran and whole wheat products--which I thought was weird. Drink adequate beverages (water!), cut back on alcohol, nuts, cheese, fruit juices and dark sodas.
So after so many years of the hands-off approach, I have to be more proactive. I know he's an adult and capable of his own choices but I kinda want him to stick around. Who knows? It will probably help me too.
Sorry to hear this....as you know my Mom has kidney disease and is on dialysis. Tomato products are on the NO list (that will be hard in your family), and potatoes should be soaked in water for several hours and drained before cooking. You'd think drinking lots of water would be a good thing but apparently not. Adequate is probably the right term. Oh, and chocolate is on the NO list as well. High blood pressure (and stress) were probably the contributing factors to Mom's kidney disease. Now, despite not having the life style risk factors, I also have high blood pressure and take meds for it daily. Thank you genetics. Good luck to you both as you get the diet part of it under control.
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