ISO Low Postassium/Low Sodium Recipes

[AltoAtHart]

I am at wits end.

I have wasted away the better part of the last 3 evenings scouring the net for websites with information on diets for renal patients. My Grandmother was recently put on a renal diet beacsue although she doen not have a renal disorder (yet) her heart medication micmics the symptoms (high potassium count being one) and the doctors say her condiditon could worsen to an actual renal disorder. She is quickly getting frustrated with the small portions of mean the limited vegatables etc. Although potassium is not the only important factor in a renal diet, it is the main mineral that causes problems.
All the websites I have found are filled with useless medical jargon that is Greek to the layperson. So I'm enlisting your aid. If anyone out there has any recipies with a low pottasium count (ie under 500 mg)we would realllllllly appreciate it.
Likewise if anyone has statistics on the number of renal patients in the US (unlikely I know, but I'll give it a try) I could use the info, eventually I plan to petition Cooking Light to add potassium count to their Nutritional info. Although I do not know the exact #'s of renal patients in this country, I do know that they are escalating. There are more than you think! Anyhow, Thank you in advance for your help!
Eleonore

[Alisa]

Sorry I don't have any recipes with potassium counts - crazy since I've got kidney disease...anyway, here's a site I've used before.
http://www.ikidney.com/classified/

Another possibility is to check out diabetes websites, cookbooks etc. One of the most common complications of diabetes is kidney disease so the recipes often reflect sugar, sodium, and potassium restrictions.
Good luck!

[valchemist]

Regarding the statistical information on renal Problems, maybe this will help...


http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/kidney/pubs/kustats/kustats.htm

Valerie


[This message has been edited by valchemist (edited 05-23-2001).]

[This message has been edited by valchemist (edited 05-23-2001).]

[sneezles]

Eleonore,
Alisa is correct about a diabetic diet, I use one of the diabetic cookbooks and the great majority of the recipes are under 500mg. Those that have higher counts I usually adjust the ingredients that is the contributing factor (ie mustard, cheese, canned beans). Do you have MasterCook? All the recipes have a sodium and potasium count listed. Could post a couple of recipes if you would be a little more specific about your grandmother's likes and dislikes.

[lorilei]

There is a great program that you can download free of charge at:
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/~sorensen/

According to the site:

This program will allow you to input your favorite recipe and break it down to the nutritional content for one serving.

This program will help you figure out what your daily nutritional goals should be - all you do is give the computer some personal information.

This program will allow you to choose what you want to eat from a list of around 700 items.

This program will then produce a menu from your list of foods and will compare their nutritional content with your personal goals. You can then change amounts of food, add or subtract food, until your daily menu is one that is healthy for YOU.



[This message has been edited by lorilei (edited 05-23-2001).]

[Julie O]

You may also want to get your grandmother an appointment with a dietician. They can help make the transition easier.

[sherri]

Hi,
I am a renal dietitian so I can send you some information if none of the websites were helpful. It is a really good idea to meet with a dietitian one on one, that will be really helpful!

[Andrew]

"I have wasted away the better part of the last 3 evenings scouring the net for websites with information on diets for renal patients. My Grandmother was recently put on a renal diet beacsue although she doen not have a renal disorder (yet) her heart medication micmics the symptoms (high potassium count being one) and the doctors say her condiditon could worsen to an actual renal disorder."

I was on dialysis for a few years and just had a sucessful kidney transplant on 12/12/2000. My main concern after the transplant was sodium content just as it was prior to the transplant. I just replace any recipe calling for added salt with lemon zest. I've also made my own salt substitute which works very well. My Master Cook software shows potassium levels of most recipes. email me if you like: waterman@spiritone.com