Meal Options- Frozen Entrees

[slborop]

The Davita recipes I have tried are really great. My husband is the person in our household with kidney disease and I have modified my diet to eat the same foods that he eats. Unfortunately anything that is planned/cooked is up to me and I am exhausted trying to figure this out every day. The meal planning tool is great but the meals are one serving; in order to make the recipes for two you have to double them and then a lot of ingredients are still wasted. Has anyone analyzed any of the frozen entree options to determine which ones might fit into a renal diet. We tried two mail order companies that prepare renal diet food but were not impressed. I have been reviewing the lean cuisine line and found several that fit within 500-600 for both sodium and potassium but there are no phosphorus values given. What does anyone think about using these meals as options? I would appreciate one of the nutritionists giving some advice here.

[orangecity2015]

I am age 74, male with stage 3 chronic kidney disease. It is difficult adjusting to preparing food for 2 on the kidney diet. We tend to fix the main portion as chicken strips, or fish that cut into the ounce portion required for kidney disease diet. She might have to chicken strips to my 1. Then fix salad as vegetable. We also buy the vegetables that come in the 1 serving cups, as well as fruit cups. Seems to make it easier. just suggestions. Would imagine the frozen entrees might have some phosphates for preservatives?

[RDSara]

Hi slborop, There are frozen meals or entrees from the grocery store you can use for your husband's meals. A sodium cut off of 700 mg or less is recommended, and the same amount works for potassium if restricted.Look for the meals that contain mostly ingredients that are included in your husband's meal plan provided by the dietitian. Check the ingredients to see if there are high phosphorus foods like cheese or beans, or phosphate additives, as most labels do not include phosphorus content. Take a photo of the product or if you buy them, take the empty box for your dietitian to look at. Many manufacturers also provide the product information online, so your dietitian may be able to look them up to give you direction on the best choices. You can also use the recipes in DaVita Diet Helper Recipe Search. Most make 4 or more servings so you can cook and have leftovers for the next day or even make your own frozen dinners. Reach out to a family member or friend who likes to cook--and ask if they will help prepare some of the recipes you can freeze.

[Dlynn61]

I weigh out my meats while they are fresh and then put each portion in a zip lock and then put all those portions into a big zip lock and then freeze. I do the same with potatoes after soaking or parboiling. After cooled then I put my small diced taters in big zip lock bags and then freeze. When we fix our meals we just fix a portion for each of us. I'm allowed 1/2 cup of potatoes and after cooking them I measure out my portion and he gets the rest. We make our own salad dressing fresh for each meal.

[Dlynn61]

Everyone with CDK should have a scale in which to weigh out their meats. It sure helps a lot. Diet scale are easy to come by at Bed 'n Bath.

[Jennsaturn78]

What is the limit on potassium and phosphorus per day

[KelseyAtDaVita]

What is the limit on potassium and phosphorus per day

Hi Jennsaturn78, everyone's limits are different depending on what stage of kidney disease you're in and many other factors. It's best to ask your nephrologist or dietitian to see what's best for you!

[marysunshine]

The diet helper has made it possible for my husband , whose GFR is 18, and me (no kidney problems), to eat delicious meals. He is not on dialysis. The only problem is I have to increase my potassium to not feel exhausted, because his limit is 2,000 mg. per day, while the usual amount for a healthy person is 4,700 mg. I use the Planner & Tracker daily. I just type in what we would like to eat, for example a meat, usually 3 to 4 ounces, a starch, a vegetable or two or a vegetable and a salad. As it is put in, the planner/tracker will add in the values of the nutrients. You can add or subtract anything or alter the amount to make it compliant. I purposely make at least enough for two meals, as a rule. I skip a day between repeats. If there is something we want that is not in the list of foods, I enter it in the My Creations recipes, and it is calculated and available for use. Yesterday, we had meat loaf, Fettuccine Alfredo, asparagus, and corn for lunch. We had ice cream in the afternoon and a sandwich for supper, all within his parameters. I just took a strawberry sheet cake out of the oven, a recipe I entered into the My Creations. We had bacon and eggs for breakfast and will have chicken fajitas tonight. We eat mostly fresh foods. I appreciate the Diet Helper so much.

[KelseyAtDaVita]

Hi marysunshine, thank you so much for sharing! It's great to hear that the DaVita Diet Helper is working well for both you and your husband. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions moving forward, thank you again!

[Joanne55]

I do not eat meat as it is hard on my kidneys, I have pkd, I stopped eating meat since 2014. I feel better an not so tired if I watch out for processed, preservatives, not meat, nomdairy, so I find it hard to find recipes that would help me. I was following the alkaline pkd diet, but it is too strict, I do not like it. I lost 40 lbs after it be went down but you can't eat a lot, except fresh vegies an fruit, I cannot afford , I like my eggs, watching out for potatoes, tomtoes,meat and dairy . Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

[KelseyAtDaVita]

I do not eat meat as it is hard on my kidneys, I have pkd, I stopped eating meat since 2014. I feel better an not so tired if I watch out for processed, preservatives, not meat, nomdairy, so I find it hard to find recipes that would help me. I was following the alkaline pkd diet, but it is too strict, I do not like it. I lost 40 lbs after it be went down but you can't eat a lot, except fresh vegies an fruit, I cannot afford , I like my eggs, watching out for potatoes, tomtoes,meat and dairy . Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

Hi Joanne55, you can try using the DaVita Diet Helper to help you plan and track kidney-friendly meals: http://bit.ly/2hLeEZz. It chooses from over 1,000 kidney-friendly meals so I'm sure you'll be able to find recipes you enjoy!

I'd also suggest speaking with your local dietitian to get answers to specific diet questions as everyone's needs are different. I hope this helps! Happy Monday