Dietary Analysis Report

Nicole Egerer
April 15, 2020
Nutrition, Exercise &Wellness
Tuesdays 12:00-2:50pm
 I would say I am a very healthy eater in regards to the types of foods I eat. After

living with type one diabetes for 20 years, and having to learn how to take insulin/count

carbohydrates for the food I am eating, having celiac disease and being gluten free for

fourteen years, having to learn about the chronic kidney disease diet, and renal failure

diet, I have an awareness about food the average person may not have. Unfortunately I

also have a diabetes complication called gastroparesis. Gastroparesis effects the way

my body processes food. It is a motility and absorption issue. Think of it as a

paralysis of the food in my stomach. Instead of emptying quickly the food in my body

sits there for hours, or days. Everyday is different in regards to my symptoms. I mainly

feel full after a few bites of anything, bloated, and nauseous. Most days I don’t feel

hungry, or thirsty at all, and I have to force myself to eat. On a really bad day (which

happens about once every three months) I am hospitalized for a week due to vomiting

every five minutes. “Gastroparesis can lead to weight loss and not getting enough

nutrients, and malnutrition.” (Gastroparesis |Cedars-sinai https://www.cedars-sinai.org/

health-library/diseases-and-conditions/g/gastroparesis.html). While I eat healthy foods

I already know I am not getting enough nutrients. Due to my GI issues, and symptoms

this is why my analysis reflects MY inability to meet my daily calorie intake. This is also

why my other nutrient levels-carbohydrates, fiber, iron, calcium, are below where that

should be. Psychologically it is difficult because my mind knows I need more, but my

body can’t process all the food I need. I have been a vegetarian for six years. Initially I

went vegetarian because I didn’t eat much meat. Then when I researched food, and

the way animals are pumped full of hormones, often tortured, I no longer had any

desire to consume meat. One of my nephrologists also stated a vegetarian diet is the
best kind of diet for someone with chronic kidney disease, or for renal disease patients.

“Is it possible to maintain a vegetarian diet after being diagnosed with kidney disease?

The answer is yes. With careful planning, vegetarianism, or even part-time vegetarian

eating, it's not only safe, but also beneficial to kidney disease patients.” (Maintaining a

Vegetarian Diet with Kidney Disease...https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/vegetarian-

diet-and-ckd). I know protein intake is one of the most difficult things for me. I am very

aware I need way more protein. According to my report I am consuming only half of

my protein needs. My vitamins are very high and that is a direct reflection of the fruits,

and vegetables I consume. With as many dietitians as I have worked with none of

them ever discussed fats with me. I have heard people talk about good fats, and bad

fats, but that is the extent of what I know. For my fat intake my saturated fat goal was

19, and on average I consumed 13. I am not sure what to make of the

polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and trans fats because it appears I didn’t eat any?

My sodium intake average was 925 and the goal was 2,300. While I was on dialysis I

had to monitor my sodium intake and make sure not to go over 2,000mg per day. I cut

out all frozen, and processed foods, and I continue to eat that way post transplant. “If

you have stage 5 CKD and require dialysis, you will be asked to follow a low-sodium

diet. The diet will help control blood pressure and fluid intake. Controlling sodium

intake will help avoid cramping and blood pressure drops during dialysis." (Sodium and

Chronic Kidney Disease - Davita https://www.davita.com/diet-nutrition/articles/basics/

sodium-and-chronic-kidney-disease). I no longer need to limit my sodium, but I find I

do it without thinking about it.

 Due to the pandemic, and being post transplant less than a year, I am at an

extremely high risk for covid19, and possible death. I have been told to stay in my

bedroom, and away from my two roommates per my transplant team. My mom has

been grocery shopping for me, but because she is 65 I only ask her to go once every

two weeks. During the week of the analysis I ate- applesauce, sweet potatoes, gluten

free seeds and grains bread, avocados, tofu, kale, green juices, spinach/cheese/

mushroom quiche, tomatoes, mozzarella, cashews. gluten free pretzels, cinnamon

almond butter, chia seed pudding made with almond milk, sour cream, balsamic glaze,

green lentil/kale/broccoli/spinach, gf, rotini, vanilla coconut milk yogurt, gluten free

crackers, butternut squash soup, gf enchiladas, bananas, black beans, rice, pistachios,

TYPE TO ENTER A CAPTION.

TYPE TO ENTER A CAPTION.
and hash browns. I am doing my best but the pandemic has lessened access to certain

TYPE TO ENTER A CAPTION.

types of foods-either they are not available or I can’t access them. As a vegetarian I

typically grocery shop once or twice a week.

One of the main things I learned is I have no clue about fats, and I plan to

research them more in depth. I’d also like to do this again now that I have some areas I

would like to improve. Even if I can’t reach the exact goal, I’d like to try to get some of

my averages higher. More than anything the assignment was a reminder that I really

need more protein. I can improve that by making a conscious effort to eat protein daily,

which I often find myself not doing. This will benefit my energy levels, and overall health

for the long run. I also will start a protein supplement again. I am reminded that I can’t

be too hard on myself. I can’t set expectations about certain things that this body

can’t do. I am okay as long as I know I am doing my best. I may not be able to get

everything in I need daily, so a more realistic goal is to try to get as much in as I can

weekly. I have mentioned my nutrition to many of my specialists without much concern

from them. I also have to drink 8 water bottles per day, they fill me up so quickly I am

lucky to get in 6. This also adds to my extreme fullness. I am always a work in

progress. I have met some dietitians that I really like, and who are knowledgeable, but

more often than not they are overwhelmed with my diagnoses, and do not understand

my needs from all angles. For that reason I plan to continue to monitor my own needs

and make improvements on my own.

MACROS

CALORIES

 REFERENCES

1. Gastroparesis | Cedars-sinaI https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-

and-conditions/g/gastroparesis.html

2. Maintaining a Vegetarian Diet with Kidney Disease

https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/vegetarian-diet-and-ckd

3. Sodium and Chronic Kidney Disease - Davita

https://www.davita.com/diet-nutrition/articles/basics/sodium-and-chronic-kidney-disease