Kidney failure is the loss of function of the kidneys, which are responsible for filtering waste products from your blood and managing the balance of electrolytes, according to the American Association of Kidney Patients. This condition can occur suddenly, known as acute kidney failure, or over a period of time, known as chronic kidney failure, as a result of infection, disease, medications or obstruction. As a result, your body is less efficient at separating the blood protein albumen from the excreted wastes. Concentrations of albumin can then accumulate in your body, rising to toxic levels if left untreated by dialysis. Your doctor may prescribe a low or no protein diet in order to decrease the accumulation of albumin.
Fruits
Most single servings of fruit contain a trace amount of protein. The fruits that fall into this category include apples, grapes and mandarin oranges. If you are also required to restrict your consumption of foods that contain significant amounts of potassium, these fruits also fit this requirement. Not all fruits however, that contain low or no protein are low in potassium, so check with your doctor or dietitian if you have uncertainties regarding any fruit.
Vegetables
Most vegetables are acceptable in your diet if you have kidney failure. The University of Washington recommends that you focus on vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms, squash, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce and asparagus. They also suggest drinking vegetable juices, which contain no protein, but limit your consumption of carrots to one regular-size carrot or 10 baby-size carrots per day.
Cereals and Grains
The University of Washington explains that a serving of a whole grain cereal, bread or pasta contains approximately 2 g of protein, which is considered an acceptable amount for individuals on a diet for kidney failure. If you're concerned about this amount of protein in your cereals and grains, speak with your doctor or dietitian about consuming half portions and supplementing the missing calories with a starchy vegetable like corn. Additionally, several no-protein versions of your favorite cereals and grain products may be available as alternatives to higher-protein counterparts.
Foods Specifically Made for No-Protein Diets
The number of individuals with kidney failure or other disorders that require a low or no protein diet has given way to companies producing foods specifically for these conditions. Most products are available at your local grocery or health food store, and are clearly labeled "low-protein" or "no-protein." You can also find these types of products for sale online, by searching for "no protein foods" or "no protein cereals," with the applicable food type in place of "cereals." Always check the nutritional label to ensure the amount of protein you will consume in a single serving. If you're uncertain whether a food is appropriate for your dietary needs, check with your doctor or dietitian.
References
- American Association of Kidney Patients; Kidneys 101: The Basics of Chronic Kidney Disease
- "Nutrition and Metabolism"; Dietary Protein Intake and Renal Function.
- American Association of Kidney Patients; What to Eat if You Have Chronic Kidney Disease; Peggy Harum, RD, LD; Dec. 2003
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse; The Kidneys and How They Work; Feb. 2009
- National Kidney Foundation; Potassium and Your CKD Diet
- University of Washington; Low Protein Food Pattern
