Renal Failure and Protein shakes Hi!! My Grandmother in not eating well, she has been diagnosed with renal failure, so we can´t give her protein shakes or similar, she is also diabetic. Any advice about what can we give to her to improve her nutrition????. Thanks!!!!
You could probably also call a national diebetic association, and ask if there are any consulting nutritionists, but I really would look to her treating medical team first to avoid any foods or drinks that are contraindicated.
Good luck; this sounds like a real challenge.
As GA advises, I'd get a nutritionist involved in her care as soon as you can.
The renal dietician says Ensure makes a protein powder that is safe for kidney patients. I can use the Ensure powder and the Ensure liquid together, along with fruit, etc., to make milkshakes for mom.
I would definitely suggest talking to the dietician at your local renal unit!
Strawberry Smoothie (1 - 8oz. serving)
1/2 cup strawberry yogurt
1/4 cup Ensure
2 scoops Beneprotein protein powder
1/ cup sliced strawberries
Peach Power Protein Smoothie (1 - 12oz. serving)
1/3 cup peach yogurt
1/2 cup Ensure
1 tbsp ground flax
3 scoops Beneprotein
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup diced peaches
1 tbsp honey
Both: Blend till smooth, store up to 24 hrs. in fridge
And the last page says to add 2 scoops Beneprotein to 1 cup prepared hot oatmeal. Also add favourite additions (raisins, nuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, etc.) as desired.
I am going to make these drinks for Mom. Ensure is great for what's in it, but....it tastes kinda MEH! Not really inspiring for those already without much appetite.
Edited to add: There are about a dozen different types of Ensure (high calorie, high protein, etc.) on the market, so make sure you get the dietician to recommend the right one. My mom is supposed to drink the high calorie one, but she is not diabetic.
Medical facilities do tend to go to the extreme when it comes to diet. I was not eating in hospital and was put on a cardiac soft diet. I can not imagine anyone being able to eat the Cream of wheat made with water and no sugar I was served up. It reminded me of wallpaper paste.
You must know exactly the things Mom really likes so why not take in small portions when you visit. it sounds a though she is eating so little that following a strict diet is really no longer possible. I really fancied a sandwich made with smoked salmon and hubby brought that in and I was able to eat that.
At the end of life with no hope of recovery feeding tubes can do more harm than good. As long as the patient will leave it alone it should not bother her too muchand feeds can be run overnight which is not disturbing. Total Parental Nutrition can be given by IV. You do need a big IV into a big view in the chest but feeds are given at set intervals so patient can be up and walking around. Nash gastric tubes are often pulled out because it is very uncomfortable to have something stuck up your nose the whole time.
There comes a time in everyones life when the body begins to shut down and no longer wants or needs food. When this stage is reached it actually puts too much strain on the organs that are still trying to function and causes distress to the patient which is why tube feeding is often discouraged.
Very different needs.
Too much protein causes kidneys to work harder and that’s why it’s limited in chronic kidney disease.
With ESRD, it flips. Patients lose protein by dialysis and need to supplement protein intake.
Myelo, your mom needs protein restriction. Depending on your mom’s weight - for instance if she weighs about 190-200lbs her daily protein intake with CKD is about 90 grams.
For ESRD dialysis patients try whey protein powder. You can sprinkle this over your mom’s food- it’s supposed to be tasteless & a great source of protein.
Also a good thing is that when the patient needing dialysis for so long finally begins dialysis, appetite usually improves as they clear the toxins out of the blood, but it can take months.
Myelo, visit the National Kidney Foundation website for Diet guidelines for CKD,
Ditto Dorianne for ESRD dietary restrictions and guidelines.
It is worth the money to visit a nutritionist, myelo. They will know exactly what your mom needs to delay the kidney disease from progressing.