The body uses protein from foods to grow and repair cells. With kidney failure, your child will need to avoid excess protein. The kidneys may not be able to get rid of the waste products that come from eating too much protein. But it's also important for your child to get enough protein for proper growth and nutrition. Your child's weight, medical condition, type of treatment, and lab values will all help determine how much protein your child needs. Your child's doctor or dietitian will help determine this, too.

The following foods are high in protein. If your child has kidney failure, talk with their doctor about how much of these foods your child should have:

• Meat (beef, chicken, pork, and turkey)
• Fish
• Seafood (shrimp, scallops, clams, and oysters)
• Eggs
• Dairy products (milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, and pudding)

Your child's doctor or dietitian will tell you how much protein your child can have each day. This will usually be listed in servings or grams per day.