[Verified Answer]: Your patient is Amir, a 62-year-old Arabic…

Your patient is Amir, a 62-year-old Arabic male. He is 5’8” tall and weighs 225 lbs. He was recently diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 3 (mild-to-severe loss of kidney function; GFR 30-59). At his first MNT visit with you, Amir is very confused and nervous about his diagnosis. He does not want to talk about his kidney condition or the possibility of dialysis if he doesn’t manage his disease. He is willing to talk about his diet, though, since he states nobody has ever told him what or how to eat for his health. Amir lives with his wife who prepares traditional Arabic (Middle Eastern) meals at home, an example of which is listed below. He works long hours and reports feeling very hungry when he arrives home. On the weekends, he always spends time with other family members. He does not drink alcohol (as he is Muslim and it is prohibited) but loves diet soda. He is not physically active because he says he does not have time. 6am: bread with butter or grain porridge, dates, coffee 2pm: lamb or chicken, rice with pine nuts or raisins, fruit, diet soda 8pm: salad (cucumbers and tomatoes), meat or fish with rice or lentil soup, vegetables, fruit, sweet pastry dessert, diet soda