03/27/2025
🌟INTERVIEW WITH SARAH LYNN ROMNEY: Author of the "Easy Renal Diet Cookbook to Avoid Dialysis". WHY IS THIS COOKBOOK UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS? 🌟
Introduction:
Hello, Sarah! Thank you so much for joining us today. We're excited to talk to you about your book, Easy Renal Diet Cookbook to Avoid Dialysis, and to learn more about the journey behind it.
🌟1. Sarah, what inspired you to write the "Easy Renal Diet Cookbook to Avoid Dialysis"?
Sarah Lynn Romney: The inspiration for this book came from a deeply personal experience that completely changed the course of my life. When I was young, my beloved grandfather was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Watching him suffer through the ups and downs of the illness, as well as seeing how it impacted our entire family, left an indelible mark on me. It was during that time that I had an epiphany. I realized that there was so much more that could be done to help people like my grandfather, and I knew I needed to dedicate my life to making a difference.
This experience inspired me to shift my focus completely. I immersed myself in studying nutrition and health, particularly how food can be a powerful tool for healing and prevention. I chose to specialize in renal nutrition, driven by the desire to empower others with the knowledge that could help them prevent or slow the progression of kidney disease. Every step of my educational journey—from earning my degree in nutrition to becoming a Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition (CSRN)—was motivated by the need to turn my personal heartbreak into something that could help people live better lives.
This book is the culmination of that journey—a way to combine my expertise in nutrition with my passion for helping others, ensuring that the lessons I’ve learned through my own struggles are shared with those who need it most.
🌟 2. Is this your first book? Do you have plans to write more books in the future?
Sarah Lynn Romney: Yes, this is my first book, and it’s been a deeply rewarding project. It’s a culmination of everything I’ve learned over the years, both in my studies and from working closely with CKD patients. As for future books, yes, I definitely plan to write more! I’m already thinking about a follow-up that would go deeper into meal planning and creating kidney-friendly meals for advanced stages of CKD. I also have ideas for expanding into other areas of health and nutrition, particularly focusing on how food can support overall well-being and manage other chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
🌟3. Your book is the culmination of years of work with patients and study. How has your experience working with patients influenced the creation of the book?
Sarah Lynn Romney: Working directly with CKD patients for almost 30 years has had a profound impact on the creation of this book. I’ve seen the struggles patients face when it comes to understanding how to manage their disease through food, and how overwhelming it can feel to make dietary changes. My experience gave me the insight to create a book that doesn’t just provide general information, but also offers practical, easy-to-follow recipes and tips that can truly make a difference in their daily lives. The book is a reflection of the lessons I've learned over the years working with patients, and it’s meant to empower them to take control of their health.
🌟4. In your experience, what do you believe is the most important factor in managing CKD?
Sarah Lynn Romney: The most important factor in managing CKD is adopting a holistic approach, which means looking at the whole person and not just focusing on the disease itself. Chronic kidney disease is a complex condition that affects much more than just the kidneys. When managing CKD, it’s essential to consider the entire body and how different factors—such as diet, exercise, mental health, and medication—interact with each other.
One of the key aspects of this holistic approach is creating a diet plan that is specifically tailored to the individual’s stage of CKD. A diet for someone in stage 2, for instance, won’t necessarily be the same as one for someone in stage 4. The dietary needs and restrictions change depending on how advanced the disease is, and that’s why every plan needs to be balanced carefully based on the patient’s specific condition. For instance, someone in the earlier stages may be able to consume a wider variety of foods, while someone in the later stages may need stricter limitations, such as reduced protein intake, or more careful management of potassium and phosphorus levels.
A personalized approach is critical, and the goal is to balance all of the essential nutrients—proteins, fats, carbohydrates, electrolytes—according to the individual’s needs. It's not about avoiding foods because they’re inherently "bad" but managing the amounts of potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and protein based on blood tests and kidney function. In my book, I emphasize that it's important to understand the nuances of these nutrients and how they impact CKD at different stages. This is a more modern, scientific approach compared to the older method of simply excluding entire food groups.
This balanced, individualized approach to nutrition allows people to maintain better overall health while managing their kidney function, and it reduces the risk of making dietary choices that could unintentionally worsen the disease.
🌟5. What kind of approach do you use in your book and with your patients to treat CKD?
Sarah Lynn Romney: Over the years, there has been a significant evolution in how we approach CKD, particularly in terms of diet and nutrition. In the past, there was a more rigid approach to the CKD diet, where certain foods were strictly prohibited, such as high-potassium foods like tomatoes, bananas, nuts, and even whole grains. This rigid "avoidance" approach often created a sense of fear around food, which can be emotionally and psychologically taxing for patients.
However, modern science and more recent evidence have shown that a strict elimination of specific foods, without considering a patient’s unique clinical situation, is not always the best approach. The focus today is on creating a balanced diet that is tailored to the individual’s specific needs based on their blood work, the stage of their kidney disease, and other health factors. It’s not about eliminating foods just because they contain potassium, phosphorus, or sodium, but rather managing the amount of these nutrients to ensure they stay within a healthy range, depending on the patient’s condition.
For example, it is important to recognize that potassium is essential for health, and rather than cutting it out entirely, the goal is to regulate its intake based on the person’s lab results and the stage of their disease. Similarly, whole grains are an important source of fiber and other nutrients, but the portion size might need to be adjusted. The modern approach to CKD nutrition is much more individualized and scientific, focusing on managing nutrients in balance—rather than fearfully avoiding entire food groups.
In my book, I emphasize this scientific approach to renal nutrition. Instead of an overly restrictive diet, I encourage readers to focus on the total amount of potassium, phosphorus, sodium, protein, and fats they consume throughout the day, guided by their medical results and kidney function. It’s about crafting a diet that maintains nutritional balance while preventing further damage to the kidneys, rather than adhering to outdated rules that don’t take the individual's unique situation into account.
This modern approach, backed by scientific evidence, is far more sustainable and healthier in the long term. It allows patients to enjoy a wider variety of foods without the constant stress of rigid food rules, while still effectively managing their kidney disease.
🌟6. Is CKD a disease that can be cured, or is it something that needs to be managed long-term?
Sarah Lynn Romney: Unfortunately, CKD can’t be cured, especially in its later stages. However, it is important to emphasize that CKD is a progressive disease, and while it cannot be "cured" in the traditional sense, the progression of the disease can be significantly slowed, and in some cases, it can even be reversed to a certain extent—though not to the point of full recovery.
Through proper diet, lifestyle changes, and medical management, individuals with CKD can sometimes improve their kidney function or prevent further damage. It’s not about going back to perfect kidney health, but it is about halting or even regressing the disease to a less severe stage. This is where nutrition plays an absolutely critical role. A carefully designed renal-friendly diet can dramatically slow the progression of the disease and, in some cases, reduce the severity of kidney damage.
🌟7. How has your book been received so far? What kind of feedback have you gotten from readers?
Sarah Lynn Romney: The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. I’ve received messages from readers who’ve shared how the book has helped them understand CKD and take control of their health through diet. Many have said that the recipes are easy to follow and that they’ve seen improvements in their energy levels and overall well-being. It’s been incredibly rewarding to know that my book is making a positive difference in people’s lives. The response has exceeded my expectations, and I’m so grateful to be able to help people in this way.
🌟8. How did you manage to consider the different needs of each stage of the disease in a cookbook that’s suitable for everyone?
Sarah Lynn Romney: This is one of the unique aspects of my book. It contains a base version of each recipe, along with modifications for those who need stricter dietary guidelines, such as patients in stages 4 and 5, as well as for those in the earlier stages of CKD who may have more flexibility in terms of quantity and food choices.
The key to this approach is recognizing that the dietary needs of someone in stage 2 are very different from someone in stage 4 or 5. For example, someone in the early stages may be able to enjoy a wider variety of foods and larger portions, while someone in the advanced stages needs more careful management of nutrients like protein, potassium, and phosphorus. The challenge is finding a way to provide delicious, balanced meals that work for all stages of CKD, and that’s what makes this cookbook so special.
By offering both a basic recipe and tailored adjustments for each stage, the book provides a flexible and scientifically-informed approach. This way, individuals can enjoy meals that suit their specific needs while still taking advantage of the same great flavors. It’s a revolutionary approach that’s not commonly found in other cookbooks. Many CKD cookbooks don’t address the varying nutritional needs of patients across different stages of the disease, but I wanted to ensure that everyone could benefit from the recipes, no matter where they are in their CKD journey.
🌟 9. Is it true that a CKD diet lacks flavor? Do you think a CKD diet is boring?
Sarah Lynn Romney: This is a common misconception! Many people assume that a CKD diet is bland and unappetizing, but that doesn’t have to be the case at all. In fact, as a passionate cook, I can tell you that there are plenty of ways to make food flavorful and exciting while still adhering to a renal-friendly diet. With the right use of herbs, spices, and cooking techniques, it’s possible to create dishes that are not only healthy but also bursting with flavor.
I’ve had the privilege of traveling and learning about diverse culinary traditions, which has greatly influenced my approach to cooking for CKD. From the vibrant street markets of Thailand to the rustic kitchens of Italy, I’ve absorbed a wealth of culinary techniques and flavors that I incorporate into my recipes. This global perspective has helped me create dishes that are both renal-friendly and delicious, so patients don’t have to sacrifice taste for health. It's all about balance, creativity, and understanding how different ingredients work together to enhance flavor.
🌟10. Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers about your book or your journey?
Sarah Lynn Romney: I just want to say thank you to everyone who has supported my book. Writing it has been such a rewarding journey, and I hope that it continues to help people with CKD feel empowered in their health journey. Health should be within everyone’s reach, and my book is just one way to help make that a reality. I want people to know that no matter where they are in their CKD journey, there’s always hope and a way forward.
🌟Conclusion🌟
Thank you so much, Sarah, for sharing your insights and experiences with us. We look forward to seeing how your book continues to inspire and help people in the renal health community. Best of luck with all your future endeavors!
