Protein, protein, protein!

 Hi Everyone!

Hope your day's going well so far! Today, we're diving into why hemodialysis patients need to keep their protein levels up for optimal health (along with regular dialysis treatments). A higher protein intake is crucial during hemodialysis to replace lost proteins and amino acids, prevent muscle breakdown, and reduce the risk of fatigue, infection, and hospitalization. Dialysis is a physically demanding process that breaks down cellular protein and strips vital nutrients from your blood, so prioritizing your protein intake is critical for several key reasons. Protein is crucial for dialysis patients to replenish losses, prevent muscle wasting, maintain albumin(most abundant protein) levels, and improve energy and immunity. Aim for 1.0-1.4 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily.[1, 2, 3, 4]If you're on hemodialysis, you need more protein than most people because you lose some during filtering).

Keeping your protein levels up is super important for a few reasons:

No Muscle Loss: Dialysis can make you lose muscle, so enough protein gives you the amino acids you need to keep your muscles strong and working well. Stronger Immunity: Protein helps make antibodies, so good levels mean your body can fight off infections better and you're less likely to end up in the hospital. Healing: It's key for fixing cells, keeping your organs healthy, and recovering from medical stuff. Fluid Balance: Protein (especially albumin) helps keep fluids in your blood vessels instead of pooling in your tissues, which is good for your heart. Talk to a renal dietitian to figure out exactly how much protein you need, since it depends on your weight, treatment, and lab results (like your monthly albumin levels).[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Good Protein Sources:

Eggs & Egg Whites: Super easy for your body to use. Two egg whites or one whole egg give you good protein without too much phosphorus.

Poultry: Skinless chicken or turkey breasts are lean and packed with protein. A 3-ounce serving has about 14 to 28 grams of protein. Always go for fresh, not processed stuff.

Fish: Fresh or canned fish (like salmon, tuna, and rainbow trout) are awesome. A 3-ounce serving gives you roughly 15-21 grams of protein. Just watch the sodium on canned varieties.

Lean Beef or Pork: Fresh, lean cuts give you good protein and iron to help with anemia. Stick to 3-ounce portions, which is about the size of your palm.

Tofu: A great plant-based option that's kidney-friendly. A 4-ounce serving has 8 grams of protein. (It can be prepared in a wide variety of ways, its very versatile.)

Cottage Cheese and Greek Yogurt: Good dairy choices that are low in potassium and phosphorus. A 1/4 cup of cottage cheese has about 8 grams of protein.[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Some Helpful Tips:

Stay away from processed meats like hot dogs, canned chili, and jerky because they're packed with sodium and phosphorus. Watch your portions: Try to have 3-4 ounces of protein per meal, and always remember your fluid limits when you're having liquid dairy. (And don't forget to take your phosphorus binders, if they're prescribed!!) Prioritize lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and select dairy for high-quality protein, and maintain your protein intake throughout the day. Always consult your care team for a personalized eating plan, as nutritional needs, fluid, phosphorus, and potassium levels require careful management.[1, 2]

Personal Reflections:

Just so you know, this is always changing for me. I'm always learning new things about what I can eat and what I have to control. But for protein, I stick to fresh and unseasoned. I find that homemade food is the best for me, preparing it from scratch. I eat a great deal of chicken (it's cheap, versatile, and easy to prepare). I think I have steak once a month and only a tiny bit. When I buy ground beef, I go for 85-90% fat-free. I occasionally swap lean ground turkey for beef (but don't let the fact that it's turkey fool you, make sure you buy lean ground turkey (93% or higher) without added broth or salt). I usually use it for homemade turkey chili, burritos or burgers. 

I love fish and could eat it as much as I eat chicken. My favorite is baked salmon. (Mrs. Dash is your friend, there are several different kinds of seasoning mixes, or create your own combination!) I'm also partial to fresh tuna, grilled or baked. Shrimp is a treat as it's pretty expensive. My grocery store has single portion pre-cooked shrimp cocktails that you can buy for around $5. I get that once in a while. Canned tuna. I'll be honest. I tried the "no sodium added" kind. I found that I had to add some Mrs. Dash seasoning to it, it was way too bland for me. But with a bit of seasoning and some lettuce, it makes a great sandwich. 

I eat eggs every morning, they're my main protein for breakfast. I switch between whole eggs and egg whites. I find you have to froth up the egg whites more to make them thicker. I usually have an egg white omelet with sautéed red bell pepper, onions, sliced mushrooms, and a bit of garlic. Sometimes, I'll swap it for 2 fried eggs. I always use avocado oil spray. I do eat other things with my eggs, but that's a story for another day.

As for yogurt, I have a brand called Siggi's. It's skyr, an Icelandic cultured dairy product. It's thicker and more filling than yogurt, in my opinion. I have a 5.3oz cup every 3rd day. I add a 1/4 cup of fresh blueberries and a 1/4 cup of a special kind of granola I found that's more kidney-friendly. It's called "Burl's Barley Granola." I've tried to eat cottage cheese, but I have a thing with certain textures, and that's one of them.

Okay, that's enough from me for today. This stuff is just what I do. It shouldn't necessarily replace what your kidney/dialysis dietitian and kidney doctor tell you. Always check with them before changing your diet. Hope you have a great weekend!

Tina

For more official guidance on what to eat, you can also review the National Kidney Foundation Dialysis Overview , the American Kidney Fund Protein Guide  or DaVita Kidney Care to help fine-tune your meals.

My quote for you:

"You won't grow if you don't eat like you're growing."

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