Acute renal failure makes the kidneys unable to perform their normal functions. These functions include filtering wastes out of the body, producing urine, maintaining normal electrolyte levels and eliminating excess fluid from the bloodstream. Good nutrition plays an important role in managing cases of acute renal failure and preventing complications.
Significance
Since the kidneys control the amounts of minerals and electrolytes in the body, the foods you eat have an impact on the progression of acute renal failure. Adherence to a special diet helps slow down the progression of renal failure and prevents complications, such as high blood pressure and swelling of the extremities. Eating restricted food items may impair your ability to recover from acute renal failure, resulting in the development of chronic kidney disease.
Types of Diets
People with acute renal failure limit their intake of foods that have high levels of protein, sodium, potassium and phosphorus. Low-protein diets may reduce the amount of waste products in the blood, according to the Medical College of Wisconsin. Reducing sodium intake prevents fluid retention, which reduces the likelihood of developing hypertension. Low-sodium diets also prevent swelling of the ankles, legs, feet, hands and eyelids. Because the kidneys control the excretion of potassium and phosphorus, diets low in these substances prevent high levels of potassium and phosphorus from accumulating in the blood.
Restricted Foods
Food restrictions depend upon the type of diet a doctor prescribes for acute renal failure. People on low-protein diets must limit their intake of high-protein foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry, nuts and dairy products. Low-sodium diets restrict the use of table salt and the consumption of high-sodium foods like frozen meals, luncheon meats, canned vegetables, canned soups, salted crackers and potato chips. High-potassium foods to avoid include bananas, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and chocolate. Low-phosphorus diets restrict the intake of foods like milk, hard cheeses, chocolate, potatoes and corn.
Substitutions
Reduce your intake of restricted foods and replace them with healthy alternatives that contain low levels of protein, sodium, potassium or phosphorus. Eat smaller portions of meat and other high-protein foods. Instead of using table salt, use seasonings that do not contain sodium. Eat fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned vegetables. Replace high-potassium foods with lower-potassium alternatives like green beans, bell peppers and onions. Low-phosphorus alternatives include Popsicles, sorbet, nondairy creamer, hard candy, rice milk and soy milk.
Considerations
Some people with acute renal failure also have other medical conditions that require food restrictions or special diets. Dietitians and kidney specialists work with patients to develop diet plans that take these conditions into consideration. For example, someone with diabetes and acute renal failure would also have to limit the consumption of foods high on the Glycemic Index. This type of diet plan would prevent complications associated with kidney failure and help maintain normal blood sugar levels.
