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Two years ago I was shocked and frankly alarmed to find out that I had advanced kidney disease. I had meetings with a terrific doctor who monitored my blood tests and gave me a few dietary tips but frankly, as a man who enjoys eating rich Italian and salty Chinese food and sweet desserts I was lost and began meeting with Aisling Whelan for dietary tips that could be savory and at the same time save my kidneys.
Aisling is simply fantastic. Whenever I’ve fallen into dietary doldrums, she’s created diets for me that were kidney safe and also delicious and at the same time gave me confidence that if I continued to manage my diet, dialysis would not be in my future. Also, Aisling is smart, charming and always a delight to talk to.
Fred Waitzkin, author of Searching for Bobby Fischer
When I was diagnosed with a rare form of kidney disease, I began quite quickly to look for nutritional information and a practitioner who could help keep me healthy.
I saw that Aisling was one of the very few nutritionists with specific knowledge of CKD. We began working together and she has become a major pillar of my health plan ever since.
I’ve found her to be extremely knowledgeable, supportive, and readily able to adapt my program to my lifestyle and food preferences.
Working with her has given me confidence about taking good care of myself, and my kidney function has remained stable. In fact, my general health has improved since I’ve been working with her!
Nutrition is clearly an important component of kidney health, and Aisling has become a treasured member of my team.
-JL
I have polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and was having trouble gaining and maintaining weight. I was not sure what or how much to eat in order to get the calories and nutrients needed to maintain kidney health as well as the health of my entire body. It seemed an insurmountable task which I would have to handle on my own.
I started seeing Aisling Whelan one year ago and all of that changed. I immediately felt a sense of hope and a feeling that I was not in this alone.
Aisling is kind, supportive and easy to work with. She listens to your concerns and responds to all questions that come up both during and after the session. She is extremely knowledgeable in her field and aware of all relevant new research. Based on a new PKD research study, which suggests that a typical renal diet is not necessarily the best diet for a PKD patient, she developed a diet plan for me which seems to be working. Not only am I maintaining my weight but there has been no further decline in my kidney function.
Back in 2017, I was diagnosed CKD. I have been a patient of Ms. Whelan, my Dietitian/Nutritionist, since (2019), about two years. Prior to going to Ms. Whelan, I was under the care of a renal doctor, whose name I dare not mention, and after about a year under the care of this doctor, she concluded from my creatinine count that I prepare myself for dialysis and kidney transplant. During this time, I also saw 2 nutritionists. They restricted some of my diet to level off my intake of potassium and phosphorus in my body. I later found out that some of the diet restrictions and suggestions they gave me were a little out-moted and extreme.
At that point, of course, I was apprehensive to know that I had to undergo dialysis and a transplant, so I decided to get a second opinion. And through my second opinion renal doctor, I was directed to consult with Ms. Whelan. That was a very pivotal moment in my treatment of CKD. My nutritionist Ms. Whelan took keen interest in the status of my condition which approached stage 4. She had discovered that a lot of food plans used to treat CKD were outdated according to what one could eat and not eat. Ms. Whelan studied my case and helped me to revise my diet.
Consequently, over time, my kidneys began to function better, my creatinine went down, and above all, I have been able to avoid dialysis and the transfusions that go along with that. She was proactive in her endeavor to better the condition of my kidney.
As a result, after nearly 2 years, I remain in stage 4. I am grateful to have been acquainted with and under the care of Ms. Whelan. I would advise anyone with kidney disease to consult with her so she can work out a plan for you.
And everyone with kidney disease should read her innovative and up to date books and essays on kidney function and to use her new website! Thanking you, Ms. Whelan, in my sincere testimony,
-Terence Carter, November, 2021
My husband, who is 75 y.o. has a complex medical history. In addition to a recent liver transplant, he has Crohn’s disease. His kidney function was compromised due to the liver failure that prompted the transplant and therefore, he was prone to kidney stones and gout. While he is doing well post-transplant, the diets for these multiple conditions differ significantly from one another, and parts are in direct conflict with each other. In short, it was very difficult and confusing to determine an appropriate diet. We had talked to other nutritionists who recommended that we see a ‘renal nutritionist’. Our kidney doctor strongly recommended Ms. Whelan, and our insurance company agreed to allow us to see her out-of-network because of the complexity of my husband’s medical situation. Ms. Whelan took a long and detailed medical history, considered extensive lab results and
developed a diet that met my husband’s needs and our lifestyle. Her recommendations were easy to implement and proved to be quite beneficial. This diet has stabilized and improved my husband’s kidney function. He has had no further incidents of gout or kidney stones over the past year. Most importantly he feels and looks healthy. It’s notable that because I am the only cook in our household, I also have been following
the diet rather than cooking two separate meals. The diet is quite reasonable as it incorporated foods we already ate regularly. Notably, both of us have realized lowered AIC and blood sugar levels.
I have Chronic Kidney Disease and wanted to slow the decline if possible.
A nephrologist recommended Aisling Whelan. Since our first meeting she has listened intently to my concerns, taken into account my food preferences ,and helped me design a way to eat that will help preserve kidney functioning and is tasty and enjoyable. She has always thoughtfully answered even my most technical questions drawing on the latest research.
I highly recommend her for her knowledge and sensitivity.
-Wishes to Remain Anonymous
As a Stage 5 Kidney Disease patient, I chose no dialysis or transplant treatment that was recommended by my Nephrologist and instead sought guidance for my health through nutrition. After reading “The 30 Minute Renal Diet Cookbook” by Aisling Whelan, I decided to contact Aisling for further advice. From my first Zoom call, I knew this was a good choice for me. Aisling was easy to talk with, taking plenty of time and interest in my situation and yet very professional. With a dietary plan specialized just for me, my health care has been easy to implement and my body is responding. Thank you, Aisling for your positive encouragement, sharing your expertise in renal disease and continued care. I would recommend Aisling for your kidney care. She knows “her stuff”!
-Sally, Age 73
I suffer from life long recurring kidney stones which included hospitalizations and surgical procedures. A urologist recently recommended a change in diet so I read publications and searched the net for guidance.
I discovered Aisling based on her credentials and specialty which fit my needs. I then reached out to her for a dietary and nutritional pathway based on her educated and professional analysis. Aisling met with me virtually and thoroughly explored my medical history.
She made insightful sensible recommendations based on my kidney condition. Interestingly, in addition to her recommendations for ‘what’ to eat, she also suggested that I take a close look at ‘when’ I eat.
She did that after I shared my blood sugar readings which showed a pattern.I followed her advice and made those changes.Within six months I lost over 35 pounds, feel more fit than I have in many years and no recent kidney stones! Before working with Aisling, I felt I was in a losing battle. Now since working with her, I feel in control and happy that I did not rely on my own research but rather found a professional that joined her education with detective skills.
-Fred, NJ