All Dietitians

Exotic Indian cuisine submitted by Maryann from Virginia

Maryann entered Syracuse University intent on a career in restaurant management.

“The program included courses in basic nutrition. I found those classes more interesting and changed my major,” said the DaVita dietitian. Following graduation, she interned at Indiana University Medical Center. 

Originally from upstate New York, Maryann worked as a hospital dietitian in Fulton, New York where she became a Certified Diabetes Educator. “This expertise is very valuable in working with patients on dialysis, since 40–50% of the people on dialysis have diabetes,” she said. “I find the most challenging aspect of my job is the renal diet and combination of renal and diabetic diets, which can be difficult to understand and manage. I enjoy helping patients fit the diet into their lives.“ Maryann said, adding, “Many of my patients don’t appreciate the fact that complications from diabetes continue even after they have started dialysis. I can help them combine these two diets and still enjoy eating with their families.”

Maryann joined the DaVita dialysis c enter in Virginia earlier this year. “At my unit I have noticed a true team effort.  I am impressed with how well the teammates know all the patients, their diets and their medications. The teammates at my center work so well as a team and demonstrate genuine caring for their patients,” she said. 

Maryann’s center is unique because it features quite an international atmosphere. “The patients come from more than 15 different countries,” she said. “They have led such interesting lives and have many stories to tell.”

Maryann recalled one of her favorite stories about a pleasant gentleman of Greek descent who asked her what types of candy was allowed on a renal diet. “We started talking about "Mary Jane," the molasses and peanut butter chewy candies, and whether they were still available, and would they be allowed on the renal diet,” she said. “Because of the peanut butter base they were not the best choice for him and we worked on finding a substitute he would like. After that discussion he started calling me "Mary Jane" because I was so "sweet".  One day he came to dialysis with a bag of “Mary Jane’s” wrapped up for me so I could enjoy "my candy" even if he couldn't,” Maryann said.   

Another international dialysis patient, Mr. P, noted when he gave Maryann the recipe for his Curried Turkey with Rice that it was a family recipe, which had been modified to suit the requirements of the renal diet. Maryann noted, “It is rich in protein, low in sodium and phosphorus. In addition, it has a pleasant spicy aroma because of the garam masala, an Indian spice, used in the preparation.”

The spice is available in Indian grocery stores, but if you have difficulty finding it, you can substitute the following spices: 1/2 teaspoon cardamom, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon coriander and 1/4 teaspoon cloves.

For everyone who thinks the renal diet can be a little boring, Maryann disagrees and proves her point by sharing this wonderful ethnic recipe from India, courtesy of Mr. P and his family.

Recipe by Maryann

• Mr. P’s Curried Turkey with Rice