Southeast Asian renal exchange list

More than 340,000 Southeast Asians (SE Asians) have immigrated to the United States since 1971. By 1984, 76,000 SE Asians had settled in California. In areas of the U.S. with large SE Asian populations, many foods specific to those people are readily available. Approximately 5% of the total U.S. population has medical problems that lead to kidney disease. Many SE Asian refugees have prior medical problems, such as hepatitis B, that may make them at significantly higher risk for kidney disease. A modified renal exchange list (excluding milk, carbohydrate supplement, and fat group) was developed. This list, made up of foods readily available and commonly eaten by the largest group of SE Asian immigrants, the Vietnamese, categorizes foods by protein, potassium, and caloric content. A separate list, indicating the phosphorus content of these foods, is also included. Asian grocery stores were visited to identify foods available for purchase by SE Asians. The foods were identified, and nutrient composition was found in food composition tables. Because the Vietnamese diet is high in potassium and sodium, planning renal diets poses problems for both patients and dietitians. Close monitoring of diet can retard the progression of renal disease. An exchange list such as this assists both dietitians and renal patients in this important task.