Disclaimer: I am not a healthcare professional, doctor, or nurse! I am a SAHM(stay-at-home mom), giving her personal opinions and tips on what has helped me with my autoimmune diseases and other health issues.
This post is dedicated to Ana with SmoothiesDelicious. She is a fantastic woman who reached out to me because I stayed on her Instagram page and was provided a FREE 5-Day Green Smoothie Diet challenge.
A quick story: I have trouble losing weight due to my autoimmune diseases and kidney issue. You can read more in my previous post here.
After talking to my care team at Kidney 365, I was given the green light to go ahead with the diet. Due to my suffering from hypoparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, and stage 3 kidney failure, some of the ingredients in the smoothies had to be altered. Still, I will tell you, hands down; smoothies can be made any way you like.
The Beginning Of Something New
When I started investing time into this smoothie challenge, I realized it was not as demanding and stressful as I thought it would be. The hardest part is keeping my blender clean for my next drink and having my ingredients on hand.
I know it sounds crazy, but with the cost of food going up, you don’t want to throw away fresh uneaten fruit, right? Well, buy your frozen fruits in the frozen food section. I learned quickly that is a lot easier and cost-efficient. Only buy fresh fruit you will use in those first few days, at least within a week.
Kidney Disease And FRUIT Smoothie Alternates
With kidney disease, you must ensure you don’t get too many nutrients from certain foods you eat. I have a list of foods I altered to help my smoothie success.
- chia seeds – flaxseeds
- banana – greek or Activa yogurt
- coconut flakes -flaxseed
- oranges/ grapefruit – green apple
- coconut water – water
- peanut butter – almond butter
- avocado – yogurt
- leafy greens – 1/2 handful
My list is still a work in progress, but I’m learning as I go. It is important to remember not to have too much protein in your smoothies if you suffer from chronic kidney failure. Please speak with your doctor to know what smoothies suit you.
A few examples of SMOOTHIESDELICIOUS
The Verdict
I was so invested in the 5-Day Green Smoothie Diet challenge that I invested in the 21-Day Smoothie Challenge. It didn’t take long for me to see a difference in my energy levels. I changed from drinking black coffee to green tea. I have lost weight, but I must be honest… dramatic pause… I am no longer doing this for weight loss. The smoothies and the low-calorie meals are what I needed to better kidney health, and this helps me stay hydrated and get in the nutrients I need. Sometimes when you have kidney issues, it is hard for us to eat or drink. You don’t feel like it, but I feel 1000 percent better having smoothies, juices, and warm teas.
As for the weight loss, I have dropped a dress size. I must tell you I incorporated exercising, purchased a weighted hula hoop, and made it a point to get at least 5000 steps daily. I didn’t have a lot of energy before drinking smoothies and teas, but now it is different. I don’t feel sluggish, so it is easier to do more.
My favorite is ginger and lemon water. I no longer suffer from any digestive issues.
Conclusion
I am making lifestyle changes and incorporating smoothies into my everyday life. I want my kidneys to run as smoothly as possible while getting all the nutrients I need to support my body. I want to continue on the road to success with weight loss and getting healthy.
Ana, I want to say thank you for giving me the 5-Day Green Smoothie Challenge. Thank you for messaging me and taking the time to talk with me.
Big Hugs and Warms Smiles,
Ivey