The Taylor-Diet
Answering ?s about what I eat with kidney challenges
Hiya delicious readers,
Food brings me such joy. When my kidneys were hit hard, I was lucky that I had been already making healthy choices after seeing a nutritionist ten years ago. I think it helped me survive.
Folks with kidney disease ask about my diet a lot, so I made this video response:
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Essentially, eating fresh food is the goal. Processed foods with additives are a no-no. And fast food is a big no-no for me now.
BUT full disclosure I don’t actually follow the traditional renal diet that’s typically outlined because while some of it is good for easy kidney processing, I was craving a more well-rounded diet. But always talk to your doctors about making changes!
I eat avocados and bananas for example, high in potassium (a big renal diet NO) - but I never go overboard. There are a lot of benefits in some of the fruits and vegetables that contain potassium. My potassium labs have always been good, so I don’t sweat my intake.
Fresh food is our staple. I don’t try to over-tax my kidneys unnecessarily, like I don’t eat avocado toast three meals in a row.
You will see me eating a lot of fruit, veggies (although if you see me at a salad bar, my ratio of toppings to lettuce is always skewed toward toppings bc who said lettuce has to be the foundation of a salad?! It bores me. So I go heavy on the other veggies - especially beans - when Zach is away, I could eat beans for a whole meal!), chicken and fish, and healthy fats (like oil and vinegar instead of salad dressing).
My favorite indulgence is cheese. Send the charcuterie plate my way!
Feta is the cheese I eat most. I love to sprinkle a little feta on top of almost anything instead of sprinkling salt.
I keep portions manageable because the more I eat, the more my kidneys must process.
And plenty of water! (but not TOO much). I want to help my kidneys flush the toxins out of my body and I try to provide them with the tools they need.
No more Cola for me… but another favorite indulgence is sparkling water.
But I’m not a monk- I do enjoy some treats and especially for holidays. Bc 80% commitment to anything is still life-changing! 100% just triggers a perfectionism no human can live up to.
Even after making this vid, my kidneys have continued to heal which is miraculous. I still have Kidney Disease, but my function has exceeded where doctors thought I would wind up.
Hopeful for continued healing. It’s slow, but I’ll take it!
I also order dessert though more often because, I do intend to live life to the sweetest!
Comment of the Week
“Impossible to feel a single ‘note’ of despair in these songs!!” Ellen Mark
Good Vibrations - A Playlist
If you’re new here and wondering, “what happened to this lady?” read:
Welcome to my disease. What is atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS) or Complement-Mediated Thrombotic Microangiopathy (CM-TMA)?
I started writing this when I was on dialysis. It’s intended to be both memoir and a practical tool to help folks who might be going through something similar or those caregivers and family supporting someone with a challenging diagnosis. NOTE: This is not intended to replace actual medical guidance. Please consult your doctors on your individual challenges and situations. Please talk to your clinicians before adjusting any of your care protocols. Also names have been changed for most of my medical staff.
Thank you to CC Couchois, Roy Lenn, and Dr. Richard Burwick for your founding level donation.
Hi Taylor, glad your kidneys are healing and the numbers are improving from your diet but also I think you’re great outlook and positive positive energy helps you heal as well. Keep it up.
Samesies, girl.. avocado on the daily! 🥑🍌🫘🍅
I will also add that in my 2 years of researching foods to help my kidneys, I found it interesting to learn that the potassium in plant foods is less bioavailable than in animal products. Meaning your body absorbs less of the potassium! Which is why I allow myself to eat these high-potassium foods over animal-based and have had stable potassium levels, and very slowly improving creatinine like you. (GFR 37% stage 3b for reference for any fellow kidney readers, lowest was 7% at ARF onset, 6 months dialysis)