Help for an 82 yr. Old Woman

Chibimii

Hello,

My Grandmother is 82 years old. She has recently been diagnosed with diabetes and severe kidney problems. The slightest bit of sugar or carbs sends her sugar count through the roof, and a lot of diabetic food isn't good for her kidneys. She needs food and meals that she is able to eat and my family is having a very hard time finding things for her that she can eat.

Having been an excellent cook in her younger years the fact that she can't eat her once favorite foods is making her severely depressed. It's breaking my heart.

Does anyone out there know of a recipe or site that features recipes on full meals she would be able to eat that are diabetic and kidney problem friendly? Something that will feel like a full meal to her and not us just opening a jar of something she's able to eat and calling it a meal. Things that contain no phosphorus, no sugar, and no or very low carbs (since they pretty much turn straight to sugar).

Thanks if you can help me.

MizTerry

Did her doc not give her something on what she can eat? If not, call him/her first. I don't have a site for you, but you can start with the diabetic sites and go from there.

Chibimii

He gave us a list of things she could eat. But these were individual things. Like Beans was okay. But this is a woman who is used to making large dinners for her family. With a main course and side dishes and deserts when the meal is done. So cooking some plain old beans putting them in a bowl and handing them to her just doesn't feel like a meal in her eyes. I looked up some bean recipes but a lot of them includes things she can't eat once they're put into a meal. Hence I'm trying to look for entire meals.

HeidiCooksSupper

Google is your friend. Google "diabetes kidney diet" and you will find lots of information about what to watch out for, etc.

A second search for "diabetes kidney recipe" will bring up more stuff.

You might find this article to be helpful: http://www.myspiceitup.ca/article00003.htm and the site has many recipes on it that are healthy for a kidney disease diet and that list the carbohydrates so you can control for them for the diabetes.

Chibimii

Yea, I've been on google for two days now.

Problem is when I find something that's great for her kidneys it's not good for her diabetes. Then when I find a meal great for diabetes it has things that will hurt her kidneys. I found a site that talked about both but it had no actual recipes for meals. Just another list of individual foods she can eat.

I will check out your website when I get home today. Thanks.

47Jacqueline

Maybe a Dietition would help. Interview three before making a decision. I use one and it's very helpful.

kommodevaran

If you enter those individual food items +recipe into Google then what?

jtrack3d

When I was diagnosed with syndrome X, they sent me to diabetic training courses. It was an excellent program.

If you live in a medium sized city, I would check to see if you have a diabetes center there. They trained me how to check my blood sugar and how to create meals that balanced carbohydrates, fats and proteins in every meal as well as making sure to eat something for breakfast (balanced carb/protein) as well as something right before bed to ease mid-sleep crashes.

Now, I don't have a kidney issue, so you'd really need a professional there.

gringuitica

If you post a list of her doctor's ingredient recommendations (e.g. the beans you mentioned), maybe we can suggest recipes that include those foods?

I know how frustrating it is. My husband has colitis and when he first gave me his can't-eat list, it felt like there was nothing at all I'd ever be able to cook. Now I'm a regular colitis-friendly chef. It can be done, once you know how to search for recipes and how to tweak ones you find to meet your grandmother's food prohibitions.

Slaintegrl

You might be able to get some information from the American Diabetes Association and the American Kidney Association. Best of luck to you.
I also have diabetes and kidney issues, and am following a low protein plan with fresh veggies and fruit. I do take insulin, but the dose has been consistently reduced over the last few months. And since I'm 65 and come from a southern background with lots of emphasis on food and large meals, I can commiserate.

natini

She basically needs to eat lean protein, vegetables, and healthy fats. She probably needs to stay away from fruit. Unfortunately that means she needs to prepare all of her food. Nothing should be purchased that comes in a box or is preprepared. My mother have liver disease and needs to eat the same way. Unless they are willing to prepare their own food at that age you may need to hire someone to come in and prepare meals for her. Get a book on diabetes.

fullersun35

You could looks at momsmeals.com. It's a site where you can order meals delivered to seniors, and they have options for diabetics, kidney issues, heart disease etc. It's not a recipe site, but maybe you could get some ideas from it.

Holly_penguin

Diabetes AND kidney disease...those diets don't work together. My Dad is in same situation plus some other stuff.

I use the Davita website for recipes and stuff. They also have a weekly grocery planner adn whatnot that is helpful. I've been dealing with these competing diets for over 10 years. Here is what i know from that.

With the kidney disease, the more a food is concentrated the worse it is (if it is a bad food). Example: tomato is high in potassium. But, you can have fresh sliced tomatoes occassionally, tomato sauce in frequently and tomato paste never. Also some stuff is okay frozen but not fresh (broccoli), raw but not cooked (spinach), never or occassionally (tropical fruits). I'e been searching for a comprehensive list for 10 years and they tend to contradict each other.

My Dad's lab numbers are good. We avoid all never & avoid foods and anything else is in moderation. Like the tomato example above.

As for the diabetes, that is more straight forward and has good lists and research online to draw from. teh trick with diabetes is to eat carbs WITH proteins. Example; toast with peanut butter, apple with cheese stick, pasta with meatballs. If you want to PM me I can give you sources I use or any advice from experience you might want.

amberj32

I have diabetes but my kidneys are okay. Usually when diabetes goes untreated for a long time your kidneys may not work as efficiently as they use to. The doctor/insurance should help with a dietitian.

Here is an article, I hope it helps a little bit. I will try and look for some recipes. I love to cook big meals for my family too.

http://www.diabetesforecast.org/2012/mar/kind-to-kidneys-meal-planning.html

Deipneus

Maybe a Dietition would help. Interview three before making a decision. I use one and it's very helpful.

Good advice. A dietician and not simply someone who calls him or herself a "nutrionist".