Plant-Powered Kidneys | Jen Hernandez, Renal Dietitian

Start here⬇️ 1️⃣Don’t cut out protein- instead, stick to 3-4 ounces per meal (about the size of your palm or a little smaller). Try to swap for plant proteins when you have the option. 2️⃣Don’t cut out potassium. I know you read a lot about a low potassium diet for kidney disease, but this is NOT true for most people with CKD. In fact, getting enough potassium may be key in protecting your kidney health. 3️⃣Make half of your plate fruits or vegetables. Whatever you like. Most people don’t get enough, let alone people with kidney disease (refer back to point number 2). #chronickidneydisease #kidneydisease #kidneyhealth #renaldietitian #renaldiet #ckddiet #nephrology #kidney #potassium #protein

Processing foods can also mean making them easier to enjoy. So whether it’s for conveniences, fewer chopping requirements, or even longer storage, keep these ideas in mind when it comes to adding more foods to a kidney-healthy diet. Looking for new recipe ideas? Drop a 🍽️ and I’ll send you a link to my free 7-day renal diet meal plan, complete with recipes + nutrition facts and even a grocery list. #chronickidneydisease #kidneydisease #kidneyhealth #renaldietitian #renaldiet #kidney #ckd #kidneymealplan #ckddiet

Learn WHY nutrients like protein, potassium, and sodium are important with CKD. Learn HOW you can see your diet, labs, and lifestyle connect. Watch yourself feel better, have less stress, and get back to enjoying your life with the support of a renal dietitian in Kidney Wellness Academy. Comment or DM WAITLIST for a link to sign up and learn more about how we have helped hundreds of people with CKD feel better.💚 #chronickidneydisease #renaldiet #ckddiet #kidneyhealth #kidneydisease #renaldietitian #kidney #stage3kidneydisease

Would you eat this? #chronickidneydisease #renaldiet #ckddiet #renaldietitian #kidneydisease #kidneyhealth #kidney

The likelihood that a person with CKD3a or 3b needs to limit potassium is INCREDIBLY low. But when people follow generalized CKD diet advice, or worse…outdated diet advice (even from a medical professional 🥲), they are doing more harm than good. Because not only are you wasting an incredible opportunity to support your kidneys… You’re likely missing out on other key nutrients like fiber and magnesium. No potassium restriction is needed unless the labs show high levels. And don’t leave it at that. Ask your provider what is causing your potassium levels to jump up. It’s almost definitely not what you’re eating- the research is lacking! I definitely made this face when I was talking with someone in stage 3 last week 🙈 What are your thoughts about this? #chronickidneydisease #renaldiet #kidneydisease #kidneyhealth #ckddiet #kidney #nephrology #potassium

A client of mine started on a GLP-1 a couple of months ago for kidney protection and weight loss. Her appetite was DEMOLISHED. And while a lot of people think, “Wow, I wish my appetite was gone...” Think of it this way. Instead of my client always thinking about what she COULD eat… Now she thinks about what she SHOULD eat. (The food noise didn’t go away). She has had to rely on protein shakes because she can’t stomach the idea of eating a full meal. And if she does eat a full meal, that’s all she eats for the whole day. But she also knows this is not enough nutrition. Even her weight loss has slowed down as her body responds to this lack of nutrients. So we focused on these tips to help her get enough fuel to support her body and her kidneys. Are you on a GLP-1? Have you talked with your doctor about it? #chronickidneydisease #renaldiet #nephrology #renaldietitian #kidney #ckddiet #glp1

Are you concerned about blood sugars with kidney disease? As the top cause of kidney disease, diabetes is common for people with CKD. Controlling blood sugars with a plan that focuses on: 💚diet 💚medications 💚lifestyle is very important! When’s the last time you had your A1c checked? #chronickidneydisease #nephrology #kidney #kidneydisease #diabetes #bloodsugar

She was told diet wouldn’t help her kidneys… but her labs tell a different story. The truth? Stage 3 is the perfect time to take action. After joining the Kidney Wellness Academy, this stage 3 CKD student saw GFR go up, creatinine go down, potassium normalized even with eating more, and better blood sugar control. By the third month in KWA, she said she’s feeling better and her CKD is stable💚 The right nutrition can protect your kidney function and help you see measurable changes. 💬 Comment WAITLIST below to be notified when enrollment opens! #chronickidneydisease #renaldiet #kidneydisease #kidneyhealth

What’s a food you thought you couldn’t eat just because you have CKD? The standard response when you see a doc about your kidney labs is “stop using the salt shaker” or “diet won’t matter” or worse… “Just avoid these foods.” And proceeds to give you an old, outdated list of foods to avoid with kidney disease. The only food that you truly need to avoid is star fruit (it has a toxin people with CKD can’t filter well). And the real key to understanding what you can and should have is related to understanding your labs. That’s why I created Kidney Labs 101. It’s a self-paced class that walks you through how your labs connect to what you’re eating. This class not only comes with quick, easy-to-watch videos, but a nice handout that gives you questions to ask your healthcare provider so you get a deeper understanding of your kidney health. Fun fact: 100% (💯💯💯) of students that have taken the class report feeling more confident in talking with their doctor about their labs or understanding their labs better themselves 🤩 If you’d like to learn more about this class, comment LABS and I’ll send you the details. #chronickidneydisease #renaldiet #ckddiet #kidneydisease #kidneyhealth #kidneylabs #ckd

Are oils good for kidney patients? Yes- they can be a great part of a healthy renal diet. Oils can help: ✅ support absorption of vitamins ✅ provide energy ✅ support lipid levels (yep!) No need to drench your foods in oil, just a teaspoon or two is great. How do you feel about adding oils in your renal diet? #chronickidneydisease #renaldiet #kidneyfriendly #ckddiet #renaldietitian #kidney #nephrology

People still don’t believe when I say sodium may not be the key to lowering blood pressure. Why? Because cutting back on salt is usually the first thing people do automatically. So why is it that eating basically no salt STILL doesn’t help lower blood pressure? People are either forgetting about potassium, or they’re scared about it. A kidney disease diagnosis often immediately results in a person avoiding all potassium-rich foods. Without a second thought. Want to learn more about potassium, sodium, and more? Comment or DM me with “WAITLIST” to learn about Kidney Wellness Academy where I’ll teach and support you through the power of a kidney-supportive renal diet. #chronickidneydisease #renaldiet #kidneydisease #kidneyhealth #renaldietitian #ckd #nephrology #kidney #highbloodpressure #lowsodium

Ten times out of ten, people ask me about what they need to avoid for chronic kidney disease. What they need to cut out to lower creatinine. What they need to stop eating to raise their GFR. And ten times out of ten, I have to help them make a total 180. Because a healthy renal diet means eating, and often times eating a lot more than you’re used to. I understand the fear of CKD is pulling this thread of thought that cutting out certain foods may help. But that is a dieting concept. And not a great one, if I’m being honest. Instead, focus on the things you should be eating to support all the work your body and kidneys are doing. ✅ whole grains ✅ vegetables ✅ fruits ✅ healthy fats ✅ proteins Because simply eliminating something from a renal diet is more likely to cause harm than good. If you’ve got questions about a renal diet, drop them below and I’ll be happy to answer them from a renal dietitian’s perspective. 💚 #chronickidneydisease #renaldietitian #ckddiet #kidneydisease #kidneyhealth #renaldiet #ckd #nephrology #kidney #kidney