I met w/ a Hospital 'Nutritionist'

[sugabutt]

I was recently diagnosed with PKD - Polycystic Kidney Disease. My kidney doc wanted me to meet with a nutrionist. I've been reading and dabbling with raw food for a few weeks now. I would say I'm about 50% raw currently. I'm cutting out a lot of salt, and cutting way back on my meat (salt and protein are hard on kidneys).

I had to keep a food diary for this appt. My breakfast is usually a raw fruit smoothie, and a banana is usually in it. She said "I see you like bananas, but they are high in potassium, you should not eat them" (she said potassium is hard on the kidneys too). Then she says "I see you aren't eating any potatoes, you should". I get home and according to the FDA, a medium potato has 620mg of potassium, and a banana - 450mg! Just goes to show what she knows!

Heather

[PdaFunk]

Haha that is kind of ironic. And I'm no expert...but potassium is very good for your heart. I've never experienced anything like this, but I've read lots and lots of articles of people overcoming troubles just like these with raw food =] good luck on your journey! Everyone here is really nice and support, and also knowledgeable, so don't hesitate to ask any questions =]

[coco]

how embarassing for her. it's not like the potassium in potatoes is a secret or anything. i mean, hello, POTatoes, POTassium. duh!

[klomasius]

LOL, secret squirrel potassium!

[Katie P]

I'm a nutritionist & I don't encourage people to eat potatoes.....but I do encourage them to eat lots of raw food!!! Like bananas :)

[Tishi]

Raw Foodists have split decisions on eating potatoes, mainly stereotypical. Of course eaten deep fried or mashed with milk and butter are definate no-no's. Baked with skins they are of execellent nutritional value. They have phytonutrient and antioxidant activity. Not to mention they are highly digestible. I give my kids mashed potatoes (with skins) mixed with pink salt and almond milk.

They also have 15% DV of potassium.

I guess this takes away about 5% of my raw food diet ;)

[coco]

potatoes are not a food i wish to eat, either raw or cooked. sure, they're delicious but so high on the glycemic index chart... there are better choices for sure. sweet potato for one. cauliflower makes a great mashed potato too, pretty realistic.

[Tishi]

watermelons have a high GI, but they also have a load of vitamins and nutrients that you dont want to avoid simply because the have a high GI. its all about how you combine foods as to how your body will react to and process carbohydrates.

[iluvmangos]

My brother's kidneys failed several years ago. He's had a transplant since then, but he was told that if he wanted to eat potatoes, he had to soak them first to get the potassium out. I can't remember how long he was told to soak them for. I'm sure it was at least 24 hours. I'm surprised she didn't tell you to soak your potatoes first.

[katchmoleen]

Gee Whiz, you would think that on a raw food board, I would be safe from the temptation I miss the most, hot buttered potatoes. Guess not. Have mercy please.

[Azaria]

Last week a hospital dietician advised giving a 1.5 yr old who had viral infection and secondary bacterial infection resulting in pneumonia and a collapsed lung a meal of fat and sugar..in the form of ice cream and whole cream, judging by what was on her plate. It is truly homicidal what is happening in mainstream medicine.

[annavon]

What I have realized is that we have to take be pro-active in our own medical care. I research any thing that I am dianosed with and then make my own choices on the treatment. I ususally end up consulting with a naturopath (thank goodness I live in Arizona where naturopaths are allowed). Even then, I don't always follow my naturpath's advice to the letter. For example, she told me that I should be steaming my veggies because I am having problems digesting them. I asked her about making green smoothies and blended soups with raw veggies and she was OK with that as well as juicing. I still ate some raw veggies in the form of salads, I just made sure I chewed very well. My digestion seems to be improving.

We are fortunate these days to have the internet. It makes doing research easier.

I don't think I would eat potatos, raw they can be toxic (the spouts or green skin). They are in the nightshade family which is allergenic to many people.

I'm curious, did you ask the nutritionist why she wanted you to eat potatos and have you mentioned that they are high in pottassium?

[sugabutt]

At the time she told me to eat potatoes, I didn't think about the potassium in them so I didn't say anything. It was after I got home I looked it up on the net. I don't plan on going back to her anyway. As a PP said, I get a lot of my info on the net and still plan on eating mostly raw. My blood pressure is already coming down nicely without any meds, which I'm trying to avoid as best I can.