Kidney "Cooking" School: Module 9 - Nutrition

I started Kidney "Cooking" School this morning because my mom is on dialysis. What have I learned? The pd solution serves up 400-800 empty calories every night. It's like I've always feared, calories by osmosis. Certain things will build up in the body and cause problems, gotta be careful about what's going in.

Things to Avoid

• Salt
• High potassium like: beans, avocados, oranges, bananas and plan- tains, dried fruits (raisins, figs, and currants), and chocolate" (cheese?)

Okay to Cook With

Protein (protein powder is encouraged)

Beef, chicken (not chicken breast), turkey, shrimp, fish, eggs

Watch For

Calcium, potassium and phosphorus levels in labs. May need to adjust diet according to results.

Initial Menu Ideas

• Salsa Verde Turkey Burger (sans avacado & pepper jack cheese)
• Taco Pasta, Taco Seasoning (sans salt)
• Jalapeno Popper Dip (mayo and cream cheese are allowed - made this with sour cream instead of cream cheese and it was very good)
• Greek Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers
• Nachos (salt free chips - maybe make at home)
• Meatloaf (easy to chew... does that mean easy to digest and process? was listed)
• Beef stir fry
• Tunafish casserole or spread and crackers
• Blueberry Muffins
• Blackberries, apples
• Chicken salad

Links: 

• DMOZ Cooking/Special Diets/Renal
• http://kidneyfoodrecipes.com/ 
• Sample Menu with Recipes