QuestionHello, I had the gastric bypass June 2006, I need to eat steak for the protein. I am allergic to milk so I don't do the protein shakes. However, I am on the kidney transplant list and getting ready for dialysis. I was just told I need to cut my potassium immediately. My potassium serum is 6.0. What can I eat to get the protein I need but yet not get the high potassium??
AnswerHi Renee! All meat contains potassium, but another reason meat is limited is because it is hard on your kidneys to process protein. We limit renal patients to 4-ounces meat per day. Once dialysis starts, protein and potassium shouldn't be such an issue and intake can be increased; someone on your healthcare team should be able to tell you how much you can increase intake, but 5-8oz meat per day is a pretty typical range. Gastric bypass doesn't necessarily increase your need for protein after the initial healing from the surgery; however, it increases your need for high-quality, easily absorbed protein because you are not able to eat large amounts of food. Red meat contains the most easily digested protein for humans, which is why you have been eating steak. You should still be able to eat the steak, just limit yourself to the 4-ounces each day until dialysis begins. Also make sure you are not adding any seasoning to the steak that contains sodium or potassium, just cooked plain will be best for you right now.
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