As I feared, our whole life style has changed. Overnight I have become a chemist. I need to know potassium, phosphorus, sodium, protein...calcium levels. Gradually I will develop into a dietitian. The old ways of cooking for my family thrown out the window. Thirty some odd years of baking, memorized recipes, I have to forget them, gone. Now I must adhere to a renal diet. The diet itself is not difficult. The menus are easy, but I must read nutrition labels; something I never thought was necessary.
Eldest has ALWAYS been my best eater. I could get him to eat any vegetable. As a matter of fact Spinach/kale/strawberry/banana smoothies were one of our favorites. He would rather have a smoothie over ice cream any day. Every morning he would make himself a protein milk shake for breakfast, followed with a glass of Orange juice. Who knew these were the vary items making him vomit? This is all good for ya stuff. The items pounded into your brain from childhood. Which is true; they are all great food items, but for someone with bad kidneys the phosphorus, potassium levels are atomic.
I'm learning salt is the number one enemy. As it is on a regular diet. I have always made our meals minus salt. If you want to season your dish after I make it that's fine by me. So I thought I was pretty knowledgeable about salt. Come to find out, Eldest needs to have less than 5 grams per meal. Since most box items are greater than 28, fresh foods are best. No more can vegetables, which was out of convenience. No more potatoes, which Eldest is perfectly fine with; this has always been the one vegetable he didn't favor. When we order at fast food joints he would opt for fresh fruit over french fries, boggled my mind, but that's what he like. He will miss foods like pizza, hotdogs, or Auntie Anne's fresh pretzels. He can no longer have tomatoes or ketchup (salt & potassium) same with avocados. bananas..etc
The dialysis center has been very useful, passing along information; recipes, cookbooks, menu plans. I keep asking questions to the Dietitian, she doesn't mind, but her answer are pretty much the same. Too high in Potassium, sodium, phosphorus. So, as with everything moderation is key, but the high potassium, sodium, phosphorus foods I would rather eliminate. It's easier thankfully to remember the foods that are eliminated. Seasoning your meals with herbs rather that salts (garlic & onion). Fresh garlic, or onion are far better.
Po-boi wanted to get a better understanding of our new family routine. He made our Sunday meal following a recipe from the renal diet cookbook we received from dialysis. Hawaiian turkey meatballs. Served with rice. It was very tasty, we found it to be a tad bland, which is appropriate, but when we used soy sauce it brightened the flavors up. Eldest wanted soy sauce too, but I told him I would have to buy a different kind, he understood.
He's grasping the concept better than I gave him credit. All these foods just make him feel awful. The sodium harms his already high blood pressure which at the age of 30 he should not have, nor take 5 different pills 2x daily to keep it under somewhat control. He retains water like a sea cow; so he must only have 1000 cc of liquids daily. He's puffy, complains about his feet, it feels like walking on jelly. Breaks my heart.
I have little sympathy for others when they complain about cramps, aches or whatnot. I know I should be understanding but currently I have no more to give to others, it's overwhelming to give to my family. Hubby is a rock. He's got a woman by his side battling RA, his eldest child battling a new disease with limited abilities of comprehension. He's second child seeing various doctors for his injures due to his recent car accident. I tell ya, when it rains it pours. Our household has had enough, and I am well aware there are others in this world battling harder life styles or situations, am grateful that we are currently handling our own. God will carry us through this process I am sure of that!
