Kidney Failure - my book arrived ...

Author

my book arrived ...

jojobanana

2006-10-06, 8:28 am

Hi Gypsy!

I just wanted to say i may have been a little thoughtless in terms of
the sickness you are suffering from. It must be a nightmare trying to
find food that you are a) allowed to eat & b) can keep in your stomach
without being sick (as somebody mentioned in response to your message)!

I am guessing rich foods are out ... u need something to keep your
Protein levels up but that are straight forward flavours ... not too
fancy? I hope this isn't too presumptious of me but i thought i would
send you a few recipes from my book that I think may be good?!

Fish Steaks with Orange, lemon and Mustard (High Protein - Low
Potassium - Low Phosphate)

Salmon or white fish - Lemon (1/2 zest & juice of 1) Orange (the same)
- Olive Oil (1 tblspoon) - wholegrain Mustard (1 tblspoon) - chopped
Dill (fresh if poss) - pepper to taste .... Marinade fish for up to
24hrs ... then Microwave or Grill (It says serve with Garlic & herb
mashed potatoes - but if u aren't eating potatoes ... would go with
pasta, cous-cous (takes 5 mins to cook in hot water), noodles etc?!

Tuna Pasta Nicoise - serves 2 as meal of 4 as starter) (High Energy -
High Protein - Low Potassium - Low Phosphate)

Pasta (bows/farfalle - 130 g) - French beans (100 g)- Dijon Mustard (1
teaspoon) - Vinegar (2 Tablespoons) - Olive Oil (4 Tablespoons) - Tuna
steak - canned in oil (200g, drained) - Fresh Basil, chopped - Black
Olives chopped lengthways - 1 egg boiled sliced/quartered layed on the
top! ((HINT - Add more or less oil to increase or decrease the energy
(calorie) content )) Normaly this dish has chopped tomato (Iv'e had
this before and it is really nice - i recommend u add a little if u
want to push the boat out !!!!!!!

Pork with a Honey and Mustard Glaze (High Energy - High Protein - Low
Potassium - Low Phosphate)

Grill Pork chops - for the last 5 mins of cooking glaze with Honey and
Wholegrain mustard mixed together ... chopped Parlsey to decorate... so
the book says! And serve with plain boiled or mashed / cheesy mashed
potatoes or rice (which may be better for you)!

Tandoori-Style Kebabs (High Protein - Low potassium - low Phosphate)

Plain Yoghurt, Garlic crushed, curry powder, mango chutney (MIX) It
uses chicken in this recipe but i reckon any meat or fish would be
nice. Marinade your meat or fish for up to 1hour. Cut a Green Bell
Pepper and Onion into chunks ... and Skewer meat and veg ... then
grill. SERVE with Pitta breads , rice , salad etc

As I come from 'Bonnie Scotland' .... here is a Traditional Scottish
Dessert often served at Weddings etc.

Cranachan; (high Energy, Low potassium - Low Phosphate)

Clear Honey (4 tblspoons) - Whiskey (3 tablespoons) - Rolled
Oats/porridge (55 grams) - Double Cream (300 ml) & Raspberries (340
grams) ... If you can't find Fresh Raspberries... use tinned.... these
contain half the Potassium)!!

Warm Honey and Whiskey in pan.... remove from heat and cool ... spread
oats on baking tray and toast under grill - stirring occassionaly until
browned - leave to cool. Whip cream until stiff. GENTLY whip/fold in
ingredients ... u want it chunky.. don't mix until it goes all smooth!
.... Divide inot 4 glasses and top with raspberries. Chill for 1-2
hours before serving!

OK.... this recipe is a bit fancy ... u might want to get someone else
to do this ... but this is for a special occasion :-)

I'm hungry now :-)

Take Care,
jo
xxx

Dave

2006-10-06, 4:28 pm

Now for a comment on the diet. Once you have been stabilized on
dialysis,and your bloodwork is consistantly good, you may be able to
relax the restrictions for the different substances that need to be
restricted. Work with a dietician to introduce certain favorite food
items back into the diet, using your blood levels as a guide. For
example, if your phosphate is running in the lower end of the scale, you
may be able to consume a small amount more. If this doesn't
significantly change your phosphate value, increase your intake a small
amount more. The same goes for Potassium and eveything else. The key
is to make small increases.

Another thing to make the diet more pallitable is to plan to have
something you don't normally have every once in a while. Set a date to
have that special food that you miss. After the treatment immediately
before this, really tighten down on your intake of the substance(s) in
that food that you need to restrict, have the food, then restrict the
substance(s) again afterwards until you have your next treatment. This
way, you have that taste of something you miss, but not too much. Be
aware to limit your portion size, though.

The general takeaway here is that the restrictions are there for a
reason, but with a little care, you can have some of the foods you love
but that don't fit into the "Diet". Let the bloodwork be the guide, and
always consult with the dietician. Obviously, there are some food items
that are just so high in Potassium that you should not even attempt to
consume them. Ask the dietician. Remember, High Potassium is the most
dangerous immediate threat to your health, as it can cause your heart to
stop beating, and they will not be able to restart it in the hospital.

By the way, the diet today is nothing compared to what it was in the
past. The diet used to be so restrictive that you had to basicly eat
the same bland food every day. If you think the diabetic exchange diet
is restrictive, that is nothing.

Well, that is my recital for the day. For those that are new, I have
been on dialysis for coming up on 20 years now. I am not a doctor or a
medical professional. I have educated myself over a very long period of
time on the history of dialysis and kidney disease. I have experienced
personally or witnessed a large proportion of the types of problems that
can occur while one is on dialysis. I don't claim to know it all, and I
am always trying to increase my knowledge. Keep your eyes and your ears
open and you will learn a great deal. Also, ask questions all the time.
Knowledge is KING!!

Good Luck to you all

Dave