Welcome back to Wayne’s journey inside the RISE Nutrition for PKD program. If you’re new to this series, we’re so glad you’re here! Be sure to check out Wayne’s introduction to learn more about who he is and his experiences with popular PKD diets.
This week, we’re spotlighting Orientation—a foundational part of the RISE experience. RISE offers a dedicated 3-week onboarding period designed to help you ease into a sustainable PKD diet. You’ll begin with simple food changes, get familiar with monitoring your ketones or food logs, and explore the many recipes and handouts the program provides.
As Wayne shares in his own words, orientation isn’t just about food—it’s about building confidence and laying the groundwork for lasting success with a kidney-friendly lifestyle.
Let’s dive in.
Wayne’s Reflections: Rethinking the PKD Diet Through Support and Personalization
The RISE orientation stood out as something special. It’s not just another PKD diet plan—it’s a lifestyle reset, grounded in science and delivered with real compassion.
I like that the program gently eases us into a plant-focused ketogenic approach over the three weeks of orientation. While I’ve already been in ketosis, thinking back on starting, it makes sense to begin with the basics. From orientation until the first class, we have a few weeks to prepare. During that time, there were manageable steps—cutting sugar, lowering sodium, reducing processed foods, and adding more nourishing, low-oxalate plants.
I also like that there’s a ton of support: weekly “P points,” optional recipes, grocery lists, one-on-one sessions with a dietitian, and short, clear tutorial videos. Cronometer makes it easy to track my nutrition without stress.
The PKD diet approach emphasizes healthy fats like avocado and olive oil, and personalized protein—not one-size-fits-all. While the approach is plant-focused, I was happy to learn that I can still include animal products in balanced amounts, and my dietitian helped explain what this looked like for me personally.
I also appreciate that oxalates are approached with flexibility, not fear. The program emphasizes real, whole foods and helps you avoid sneaky additives like phosphorus and sodium. There’s even a printable pantry list, spice guide, and a recipe book to keep things simple and tasty.
What stood out for me the most is the mindset training—because for me, real change isn’t just about food, it’s about building emotional resilience too.
RISE isn’t just a nutrition plan—it’s a thoughtful, empowering path to better kidney health and whole-body wellness. I left the meeting feeling hopeful and genuinely supported.
Ready to take your health journey to the next level—with support that fits your life—and your PKD diet goals?
Our RISE for PKD program runs in limited cohorts throughout the year, and spots fill quickly.
Enroll early and unlock exclusive access to our Jumpstart Program, which includes a bonus one-on-one session with your personal dietitian to help you start strong and build momentum from day one.
👉 Secure your spot today at RISEPKD.org
“It’s not just another PKD diet plan—it’s a lifestyle reset, grounded in science and delivered with real compassion.” -Wayne