Medically Restricted Diet

mavisclump
mavisclump Posts: 19 Member
edited November 18 in Food and Nutrition
I recently learned about some health issues that now require me to eat a diet that is low in calories, carbs, fat, sodium, and protein. I feel so overwhelmed by this and have had no luck with finding options to create a collection of recipes and meal plans. Any ideas?
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Replies

  • p_cisneros2
    p_cisneros2 Posts: 15 Member
    What kind of medical condition did you find out you have?? If you need to follow a general healthful diet, simply add more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your diet. Stay away from excessive amounts of saturated fats which come from animals and increase the unsaturated fats that come from nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil, etc. The increase of fiber will be good for your health and your heart.
  • tiffaninghs
    tiffaninghs Posts: 200 Member
    mavisclump wrote: »
    I recently learned about some health issues that now require me to eat a diet that is low in calories, carbs, fat, sodium, and protein. I feel so overwhelmed by this and have had no luck with finding options to create a collection of recipes and meal plans. Any ideas?

    sounds like u should go raw vegan. ive done it and its all of the above and very versatile!! you'll be super satisfied.. just look up the hashtag #rawvegan online
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    A third (I think) vote for seeing a dietician. All foods are carbs, fat, and protein. I'm not sure how you can eat a diet low on all three. Maybe get some clarification on it. Seems like you run the risk of nutritional deficiencies this way. Please see a professional. Most dietary suggestions here will be based on the responders individual preferences, which may or may not be appropriate for you. Sorry you are dealing with this.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    My guess is kidneys?

    It's impossible to go low on all three macros. It's like trying to eat 10% carbs, 10% fats, 10% protein. What makes up the 70% left over?

    You will need specifics on what to avoid.
  • cmtigger
    cmtigger Posts: 1,450 Member
    edited April 2017
    Did he give you specific numbers on the three? As others have said- all food is one of the three.

    On the low sodium thing, I went a little crazy buying salt free and very low salt spice mixes when I started. Penzey's has a lot of salt free, but doesn't list sodium content of the salt containing blends on their website. The Spice House has a lot of salt free, and does list sodium content on their website. (They have some different, but also some similar stuff because the owners are siblings.) then there are always the mrs dash blends, and Trader Joe's has a salt free blend called 21 season salute.
    I find I use the blends from penzey's and the spice house the most, especially Sunny Paris.

    Is it low animal protein or all protein? I eat low meat protein, but a lot of dairy for calcium to prevent kidney stones.
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    mavisclump wrote: »
    I recently learned about some health issues that now require me to eat a diet that is low in calories, carbs, fat, sodium, and protein. I feel so overwhelmed by this and have had no luck with finding options to create a collection of recipes and meal plans. Any ideas?

    sounds like u should go raw vegan. ive done it and its all of the above and very versatile!! you'll be super satisfied.. just look up the hashtag #rawvegan online

    Except that raw vegan tends to be high carb.

    Or easily high fat...
  • mavisclump
    mavisclump Posts: 19 Member
    jgnatca wrote: »
    My guess is kidneys?

    It's impossible to go low on all three macros. It's like trying to eat 10% carbs, 10% fats, 10% protein. What makes up the 70% left over?

    You will need specifics on what to avoid.
    jgnatca wrote: »
    My guess is kidneys?

    It's impossible to go low on all three macros. It's like trying to eat 10% carbs, 10% fats, 10% protein. What makes up the 70% left over?

    You will need specifics on what to avoid.

    Yes, kidney and heart problems, plus insulin resistance. Low protein for kidneys, low fat for heart, and low carbs for blood sugar control. I will ask him on Friday about a dietician, because my research is overwhelming, and I feel like I can't eat anything.
  • mavisclump
    mavisclump Posts: 19 Member
    Food is carb/protein/fat and fiber. It sounds like you need a high fiber diet as that is the only thing you did not list that you said needed to be low. That would be a whole foods plant based diet. Aim for 30 to 50+ grams of fiber per day with no added oil or salt and nothing refined. Just real food: Lettuce, cucumbers, spinach, kale, collards, peppers, squash, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, only whole grains, limited nuts, beans, olives, avocado, and limited fruits. For flavor add vinegars, herbs, spices, fresh squeezes of lime and lemon, nori (sea weed - just cut it up and throw it in a soup, it'll melt and it's delicious). Make lots of soups - you don't need a recipe just throw it in there - and salads. Again no recipe. Just chop and eat. Eat lots of veggies that you pan fried or woked in a lettuce wrap. It actually all sounds really good to me!

    This sounds like something that I might like, especially because I hate to cook! Thanks!
  • mavisclump
    mavisclump Posts: 19 Member
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    If you need to eat lower calorie, naturally you will have to eat a smaller amount of macro nutrients. You need to ask your doctor how many grams of each. Take a deep breath. Most of us here are doing that and are here for you...I'm sorry you have a medical issue though.

    Thank you. It's nice to know that others are trying to navigate the nutrition world. I never imagined that the learning curve would be this steep.

  • mavisclump
    mavisclump Posts: 19 Member
    Thank you everyone!
  • Erfw7471
    Erfw7471 Posts: 242 Member
    Food is carb/protein/fat and fiber. It sounds like you need a high fiber diet as that is the only thing you did not list that you said needed to be low. That would be a whole foods plant based diet. Aim for 30 to 50+ grams of fiber per day with no added oil or salt and nothing refined.

    Fiber is included in carbohydrate count, it isn't it's own macronutrient. 30-50 grams of fiber would most likely make the total carb count on the higher side.

    OP, this is so similar to what my mom has to eat due to multiple health issues. Her primary diet is lean proteins (get a maximum amount from your doc/dietician, this is crucial for kidney disease); fats such as olive oil, olives, & coconut oil; nuts; & avocado; and fruits & vegetables as her primary source of carbohydrates (not so much bread & rice & pasta). She does eat eggs as well, but her docs are good with that.

    OP, you mentioned health issues but do you also have excess weight to lose as well?
  • sllm1
    sllm1 Posts: 2,130 Member
    edited April 2017
    Carbs, fat, and protein are all of the macros. Does this mean you can't eat? Yes, you are right to be frustrated, because every food is made up of these three things.

    Looks like you need more information in order to prioritize.
  • cmtigger
    cmtigger Posts: 1,450 Member
    I think the idea of a registered dietitian is really a good one. I have to eat a form of a kidney diet for kidney stones, and I worry about how I will eat if the family history of diabetes happens to me. Both diets have some things that contradict each other.

    The one thing about the kidney diet is that the protein limit applies mainly to animal (meat) protein, so dairy protein is okay.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    cmtigger wrote: »
    I think the idea of a registered dietitian is really a good one. I have to eat a form of a kidney diet for kidney stones, and I worry about how I will eat if the family history of diabetes happens to me. Both diets have some things that contradict each other.

    The one thing about the kidney diet is that the protein limit applies mainly to animal (meat) protein, so dairy protein is okay.

    one would think protein is protein
  • cmtigger
    cmtigger Posts: 1,450 Member
    cmtigger wrote: »
    I think the idea of a registered dietitian is really a good one. I have to eat a form of a kidney diet for kidney stones, and I worry about how I will eat if the family history of diabetes happens to me. Both diets have some things that contradict each other.

    The one thing about the kidney diet is that the protein limit applies mainly to animal (meat) protein, so dairy protein is okay.

    one would think protein is protein

    One would think. But it's not what the studies have shown.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    cmtigger wrote: »
    cmtigger wrote: »
    I think the idea of a registered dietitian is really a good one. I have to eat a form of a kidney diet for kidney stones, and I worry about how I will eat if the family history of diabetes happens to me. Both diets have some things that contradict each other.

    The one thing about the kidney diet is that the protein limit applies mainly to animal (meat) protein, so dairy protein is okay.

    one would think protein is protein

    One would think. But it's not what the studies have shown.

    animal products have the amino acids where the other protein products do not,that may be the difference
  • Daddy78230
    Daddy78230 Posts: 125 Member
    mavisclump wrote: »
    I recently learned about some health issues that now require me to eat a diet that is low in calories, carbs, fat, sodium, and protein. I feel so overwhelmed by this and have had no luck with finding options to create a collection of recipes and meal plans. Any ideas?


    If your doctor is not a Nephrologist (kidney specialist) I think you should seriously consider seeing one request a referral. Kidney problems can be serious issue.
  • sugarlemonpie
    sugarlemonpie Posts: 311 Member
    You got this! It basically just sounds like eat a lot of fruits and vegetables with little/lean meats and low carb. That's basically what I try to do most meals, soups are wonderful and so are veggie stews. Veggie omelettes and frittatas are also great because eggs have protein but not a ton of it compared to meats. Best of luck, it will be worth it when you feel better!
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