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Foods to Eat for Acute Renal Failure

Since the kidneys have a role in disposing of metabolizing protein, excreting and controlling potassium, while controlling sodium and fluid balance, acute renal failure makes those tasks progressively more difficult for the body. Easing the nutrient load that kidneys need to dispose of can be done through diet, allowing acute renal failure to be less threatening to overall health.

  1. Calculated Protein

    • The exact load of protein which is appropriate depends on an individuals tolerance to the protein; the body needs enough protein to maintain muscle mass but not so much that the kidneys will be overworked. A diet containing 0.6 to 0.8g per day of protein should be confirmed with a medical professional familiar with the patient's lab work. This protein requirement can be met by all unprocessed meats, fish, and poultry, eggs, peanut butter, or low sodium tuna.

    Lower Sodium Seasonings

    • No more than 1.5g of Sodium is recommended for those with renal failure. Checking the nutrition labels of canned for sodium levels is a quick way to realize that many canned and processed foods use exorbitant amounts of salt as a preservative, so much that 77 percent of average national intake comes from processed foods. Including whole, fresh foods which you can self-season keeps sodium from building up in the bloodstream, heart, or lungs of a renal patient. Try butter, margarine, oils, horseradish, mustard, spices, herbs, sugar, Tabasco, vinegar, or Worcestershire sauce to add life to prepared dishes. Use caution if choosing to include salt substitutes as a flavor-booster, since many include phosphorus at levels detrimental to renal patients.

    Low Phosphorus Foods

    • Refined grains have a lower nutrient value than whole grains, but also much less phosphorus: choose from refined dinner rolls, bagels, English muffins, croissants, bread, crackers, cereals, rice, and pasta. Soups without phosphorus-containing milk, peas, or lentils can be eaten alongside cabbage, beets, carrots, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, lettuce, peppers, onions, tomatoes or summer squash. Fruit options can include apples, apricots, blueberries, lemon, pears, pineapple, raspberries, and watermelon.

    Calcium

    • Low calcium levels are common in renal disease, but there are foods safe for renal patients which are fortified. Look for juices, powdered drink mixes, frozen waffles, milk substitutes, granola and breakfast bars, which have high calcium levels. If calcium levels still fall below ideal levels, calcium supplements are a ready standby.

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