About Tokiko
Tokiko’s Path to Becoming a Renal Dietitian
MEET TOKIKO PARKER, R.D.
Kidney care clinical dietician Tokiko Parker, R.D, is an unstoppable advocate for renal patients at all stages. She develops innovative ways to educate renal care patients, medical students, and professionals. In her community, she raises awareness about organ donations and builds support groups to help patients connect with their peers.
Highlights
- Chair of the Council on Renal Nutrition (CRN) in San Antonio, TX
- Advocate for renal patients
- Kidney care and nutrition educator
- Experienced dialysis dietician and licensed Registered Dietician
- Creator of the Accelerate Kidney Support Program
Highlights
• Chair of the Council on Renal Nutrition (CRN) in San Antonio, TX
• Advocate for renal patients
• Kidney care and nutrition educator
• Experienced dialysis dietician and licensed Registered Dietician
• Creator of the Accelerate Kidney Support Program
Kidney Support Nutrition
Better Your Health and Life
Accelerate Kidney Support teaches you about your kidneys, what to eat to optimize renal function, and how to meal plan and shop. The program also includes online support group meetings led by Tokiko.
Tokiko’s Story
Tokiko’s Path to Specializing in Renal Care
Raised with an awareness of diet and health
Born in Japan, Tokiko’s passion for nutrition began early. Japan’s population is one of the healthiest in the world, with a considerable life expectancy. She learned to focus on the connection between diet and health—understanding that food can be enjoyable and nutritious. Her career path became clear: to teach others about the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Educated in Japan and the U.S.
In her first professional role, she was a Registered Dietician in Japan. In the U.S., she expanded her education and the ability to help patients in clinical settings, earning a B.S. in Nutrition from The University of Texas at Austin and a Registered Dietician (R.D.) license to practice in the United States in 2004.
Earning a Registered Dietician license in Texas requires 1200 hours of supervised practice with patients in clinical settings.
Professional experience in kidney care
After earning her R.D. in 2004, Tokiko thrived working as a clinical dietician. Helping patients with various dietary needs, she became increasingly interested in supporting renal care patients. In 2014, her focus shifted exclusively to renal care. She is currently a practicing dialysis dietician.
Tokiko also believes in the importance of fitness for overall health. She was a licensed yoga instructor for many years.
In 2022, capturing all her experiences, Tokiko developed a program and meal plans to supply online education and support to kidney care patients.
Community leadership for kidney patients
As a non-profit volunteer, Tokiko is the current Chair of the National Kidney Foundation’s Council on Renal Nutrition (CRN) in San Antonio, TX. She leads the organization’s monthly presentations on the latest developments in renal care, diet, and nutrition.
Attendees include renal dieticians, patients, students, nurses, and doctors. Speakers present the latest developments in medical research and innovations, pharmaceuticals, supplements, and more.
Her role with CRN ensures that Tokiko follows the best practices in renal care and nutrition.
Tokiko also facilitates support groups for renal patients and advocates for kidney donation. Tokiko is all-in for her renal patients—from her professional and volunteer roles to her kidney-donation-promoting bumper sticker.
Downtime and dumplings
Tokiko enjoys spending time off with her husband and rescue dogs, Chico and Bicky. One of her favorite pastimes is nurturing and growing orchids and other plants. Tokiko also loves to cook Asian foods and bake. Her dumplings are a favorite of friends and family. To delight them, she makes hundreds of dumplings at a time. So everyone can share in the magic.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a dietitian help a patient diagnosed with kidney disease?
Dietitians help patients by guiding them to make significant dietary and lifestyle changes. Diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease cause seventy percent of kidney disease cases. Early intervention and education must lead to patient diet and lifestyle changes.
I have hereditary kidney disease. Does following your diet help prevent kidney failure?
Some kidney diseasea are caused by a herediatary condition and unfortunately they are not preventable. However, it is possible to slow disease progression through medical nutrition therapy and life style change.
Kidney disease is complex and life-threatening. Renal patients need immediate support from a renal nutrition expert.
Is dietary consultatioun covered by insurance?
We take major private and national insurance:
- Medicare Advantage
- Medicare Part-B
- Medicaid
- Tricare
- TriWest
- Humana (In-Network)
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
- United Health (In-Network)
- Wellmed (In-Network)
- Aetna (In-Network)
Most inurances cover up to 3 hours (180 minutes) of medical nutrition therapy consultation. HMO may reqire physician’s referral. For those who do not have insurance will be charged $95 for the 90 minutes consultation.
Please call your insurance company to find out if you are in-network and fully covered. My private practice NPI is: 1003512146.
What’s the difference between a kidney diet and a regular diet?
Most people think of a regular diet as an eating plan with a weight-loss goal.
Your kidney diet plan is customized based on your current stage of kidney disease, comorbidities, and latest lab results. Renal dietitian teaches you to focus on choosing foods and drinks that will not cause any more damage to their kidneys.
How will I feel, and how can I tell if the kidney diet is working?
Many clients report sleeping better, having improved moods, and increased energy. The kidney’s cleansing functions affect the whole body—improvements of quality of life can be significant.
How long will it take to feel a difference?
Three months on average. It depends on the stage of kidney disease. It’s not a quick fix. Like the effects of some prescription medications, the changes are gradual. A patient’s whole body, from down to the cellular level, needs to heal and adjust to improve kidney function and overall health.
Get Kidney Support Nutrition
by Tokiko!
Join my social media groups or send me an email. I would love to chat with you about kidney health.