World Kidney Day and National Kidney Month - Do You Know How Well Your Kidneys Are Functioning?

Today is World Kidney Day and March is National Kidney Month. Did you know over 35 million people in the U.S. (1 in 7 adults) have chronic kidney disease? Chronic kidney disease is also known renal disease or CKD for short. 

One of the saddest situations I have seen in my nursing career is caring for patients who has no idea they have CKD. This is far too common as the CDC estimates approximately 9 in 10 adults with CKD don’t know they have it. 

The two main causes of CKD are diabetes and high blood pressure (also known as hypertension). 

If you have diabetes and, or hypertension,  it’s important to make the recommended lifestyle changes necessary to gain better control of your blood glucose and blood pressure. Ways to achieve this are: 

1. Exercising most days of the week (do what you love, make it fun!)
2. Eating a healthy diet.
3. Losing weight if you’re overweight or obese.
4. Getting quality sleep.
5. Reduce or avoid consuming alcohol and using  tobacco products.
6. Taking your prescribed medications.

Be your own advocate: 

• Make sure you know your lab numbers: GFR for kidneys and A1C for diabetes.
• Get the lab tests and exams recommended by your doctors and healthcare providers.
• Lead a healthy lifestyle to prevent or delay CKD and other complications from diabetes and hypertension from developing. 

Easy Black Bean Taco Recipe

Tacos anyone? If you’re looking for a heart healthy and quick meal, look no further than these black bean tacos. In addition to the black beans, these tasty wraps are also made with low fat cheese, romaine lettuce, green onions, tomatoes, and salsa. 

And if you have diabetes or prediabetes and trying to eat a diabetes diet, the protein and fiber in these black bean tacos help reduce the blood glucose spike from the flour tortillas. 

Black beans are packed with fiber and also contain protein, folate, magnesium and iron. By using reduced fat cheese, you’ll eat less saturated fat, so it’s more heart heathy than if you ate regular (full fat) cheese. Cheese also provides you with protein and calcium.

The veggie toppings add fiber, vitamins, and minerals such as Vitamin C, lycopene, and potassium which are in tomatoes.

Ingredients

• One 15 ounce can of organic black beans

• 4- 6 small flour tortillas 

• Shredded reduced fat mozzarella cheese (one half cup)

• Romaine Lettuce: 4 to 6 rinsed and dried large leaves (cut up or whole – your choice)

• Tomatoes (one half cup chopped)

• Green onions (scallions): 2 to 4, chopped in small pieces.

• Salsa of your choice and to taste.

• Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder to taste.

Directions:

• Warm the tortillas (as per the package directions). Place on a serving platter once cooked.

• Warm the black beans as per the can’s directions (place in a serving bowl once warmed).

• Chop all vegies, place each vegetable in a small bowl on the table.

• Have salt, pepper, and garlic powder on the table for each person to use to taste.

• Place salsa on the table for each to use as desired.

If you want to reduce your exposure to pesticides and food additives and preservatives, consider buying organic. 

Why wait only for Taco Tuesday? These are great for meatless Monday too, or any day of the week. Stay healthy and enjoy!