Low Protein Diets

A low-protein diet is any diet in which the protein intake is reduced. Anyone diagnosed with kidney or liver disease may be prescribed a low-protein diet. In any case, a diet which is especially low in protein should only be undertaken under medical direction. Low protein diets (4-8% protein) are used routinely to treat patients with liver disease, kidney (renal) failure, and disorders involving the urea cycle, the metabolism, and amino acids.

How is a low-protein diet achieved?

Some of each type of protein should still be consumed each day from the two main sources:
* Animal products (fish, poultry, eggs, meat, dairy products) - considered high quality or complete protein.
* Vegetable products (breads, cereals, rice, pasta, dried beans) - considered low quality or incomplete protein.

To reduce the amount of protein consumed, protein foods in recipes can be 'stretched' (to consume less) or reduced as against more of the low- or non-protein foods (less in proportion), making a smaller amount seem just as satisfying.

Sandwiches
Use thinly sliced meats.
Fill with salad items like lettuce, alfalfa sprouts, cucumber, chopped celery, apple, parsley or water chestnuts.

Soups
Use lower protein foods (milk substitutes for cream soups, or rice or pasta) to make soups as filling but with less protein.

Main Dishes
Make the main dish of vegetables and grains, and treat meat as the side dish to your meal.
Use small pieces of meat and more vegetables in kebabs.
Make fried rice with vegetables and use less meat or shrimp.
For salads use crisp, fresh vegetables and only a few small strips of meat and egg.
For casseroles, reduce the amount of meat and increase the starch, pasta or rice. In recipes using soup, use a low sodium mix.
Use low-protein pastas and breads in the diet.
For cheeses, use smaller amounts of stronger-tasting cheeses (sharp cheddar, parmesan or romano) for plenty of flavor.

Boost calories to compensate
Decreasing protein in the diet may also mean a reduction in calories. To compensate so as to maintain a healthy weight, increase calories by substituting or adding certain ingredients with minimal protein content, such as:
* Increase heart-healthy fats like polyunsaturated vegetable oils (corn, cottonseed, safflower, and soybean or sunflower oils), olive oil, and mayonnaise-type salad dressings.
* Use candy and sweeteners (hard candy, gum drops, jelly beans, marshmallows, honey, jam and jelly - even sugar (diabetics need medical advice).
* Use canned fruits in heavy syrup.

Sample low protein menu

Breakfast
Cheerios cereal or equivalent ¾ cup
non-dairy creamer ½ cup
½ medium banana
orange juice ½ cup

Snack
1 cherry fruit roll up

Lunch
2 slices white bread
turkey breast 1 oz/28 g
lettuce
tomato ½ cup
green beans ½ cup
mayonnaise 3 tsp
1 medium apple
fruit punch 4 fl oz/118 ml

Snack
1 popsicle

Dinner
lean hamburger 2 oz/56 g
white rice ½ cup
broccoli ¼ cup
cauliflower ¼ cup
tossed salad with 2 Tbsp ranch dressing
pineapple ½ cup

Snack
gum drops 1 oz/28 g


Take Free Diet Personality Test Today!