my friend has been diagnosed with a kidney problem....

[Gypsy Whitemoon]

...She was told that legumes and pulses are hard to digest? And that she should eat hard tofu? Is this true are pulses and legumes hard to digest?

[Gregory B]

Hmmm, I don't know what "pulses" are. I am a dialysis patient and will tell you your friend needs to be on a low protien diet. He/she should also limit dairy products and potassium. Kidney problems are serious problems and should be monitered by a nephrologist or urologist. I believe any tofu is high in protien and legumes would be high in phosophorus, two things a person with kidney trouble should be careful consuming.

[Casey T]

-- I've never heard about modifying your diet for legumes before and I have a class 3 Kidney Disease ( Potentially Rapidly Fatal) Glomuleronephritis, I've never heard about it even during renal failure. Then again I'm not a Nephrologist ; The only modification I made was due to the steroids cutting down on sodium for swelling. If this isn't coming from a Nephrologist , see one. Kidneys are tricky, a lot of soaps are labeled " Ask your doctor if you have Kidney Disease before use" or something along those lines. However I was told not to worry.

[Historyman.]

My book of words doesn't say what to avoid, but generally it indicates for people with renal problems should eat small quantities of food stuffs.Wholemeal cookiesSnow peasBroad BeansWholemeal PastaCarrotsPotatoesWholemeal BreadPearsTeaFizzy DrinksBroccoliEggsMilkLean LambSalmon SteaksIt should be noted a nutritionist may be requires for the best advice.