Low-Protein Diets

low-protein-diet 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.

Why is a low protein diet necessary?

Protein is needed, but can cause problems for diseased organs

Protein is necessary for a healthy body. When protein is metabolized by the liver and digested, urea is produced as a waste product. If the liver is diseased, then food metabolism is compromised. If the kidneys, which are responsible for excretion of urea, are not functioning properly (renal failure), or if high levels of protein are continually present in the diet, urea builds up in the bloodstream causing loss of appetite and fatigue. A low-protein diet will reduce the workload on these organs.

It is usually the case that serious liver and kidney disease are accompanied by the need to limit salt or sodium intake due to high blood pressure or fluid retention. Table salt (the primary source of sodium in the diet) should therefore be limited, along with other foods with a high sodium content, as an additional feature of the low-protein diet.

Too much protein can worsen your health

It is generally accepted that a healthy person needs 40-60 grams of protein each day to remain in good health. However, it has been reported that the amount of protein typically consumed by people in affluent societies (American diet typically comprises 12-15% protein) may overtax the kidneys – to the extent that up to 30% of kidney function may be lost by the time someone is in their eighties. High-protein diets for weight loss often recommend 30% or more protein in the daily diet, and in prolonged use can cause serious metabolic changes leading to bone loss and kidney stones!

Reduced protein intake can improve your health

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?

Reduce amount of protein

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 oil, safflower oil, soybean or sunflower oils), olive oil, 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

Sample low protein menu contains

Protein: 39 gm
Calories: 1476
Fat: 48 gm
Carbohydrates: 237 gm
Sodium: 1270 mg
Potassium: 2282 mg

March 10th, 2009Brenda

My mother is very ill and is to avoid high protein foods. Could you please send me a list of foods that are low in protein. My father is caring for her and is at a loss at what foods to prepare for her. A list broken down for him would be very helpful. Thank you
March 8th, 2009RM

Wow, this diet is terrible, filled with starches and sugars and processed crap foods. I was on a similar diet for the past year and gained 30 pounds.

There are ways to eat less protein and lose weight – just eat a lot of veggies, fruits and beans.
February 24th, 2009Matt Watson

Help!

My wife’s renal count was a 9 leading to an extended hospital stay saving her life. She never had kidney failure in the past however she may have internal bleeding from several intestinal surgeries ten years ago.

The doctor has suggested that this may cause her kidneys from being able to regulate her potassium. The catch 22 is that she needs to loss weight before anymore surgery can be done.

So, I need to find a low potassium diet that allows her to healthly loss weight for her surgery without aggravating the little bowel she has left.

Can anyone please point me to a good website, program or diet book that I can use to create the proper meals for her recovery?
February 15th, 2009Emma Fessler

Curious as to why the snacks are so sugar oriented even though I understand need for the calories…why not more fruit?
February 6th, 2009Steve Wimer

Low protein diet? Eliminate meat, fish, beans, eggs, cheese, and nuts. Supplement with amino acids. I follow this diet, with low sodium, as well. I subsist on vegetables and fruits, pretty much, with a little bread or pasta for variety. I use JoMar Labs 21 blend amino acids. It’s a tough diet to follow, but even worse if you don’t.
February 3rd, 2009jayne sandbothe

I want to try the low protein diet, as I have end stage renal disese . I have 25% at this time.Am receiviing procrit shots.
January 28th, 2009kitten clemens

send me some low protein &lowsodium ricpise
January 23rd, 2009Kelli

Unfortunately not possible for someone who has to follow a diabetic diet.
January 22nd, 2009da da bill

very good but I need alternatives to vary my meals as my kidneys are functioning at 21% at present and I am nearing dialysis I need urgent help
bill
January 22nd, 2009Mansi

Very helpful with someone who has gout, low protein diets help to reduce uric acid formed crystals that tear at the soft tissue around joints in feet.
January 21st, 2009ghana

it helped me at school
January 12th, 2009Elsie See

My hubby had liver cirrohsis,his feet (near the ankle) is swollen (water retension)he feel his feet is heavy, once in a while he will take water tablet(fruetmide)but feel very tired. Please advise is it due to low protein. what are the
protein that can help him solve this problem.
January 11th, 2009JAGADEESH H N

Hi,
My son Varun ( 2 year and 9 months) as been diagonised with Hyperammonemia-Hyperornithinemia-Homocitrullinemia (HHH) Syndrome.

Following are the values which are having above the normal value.

a) Leucine 394umol/L ( should < 385)
b) ornithine 443umol/L ( should < 278)
c) C5 OH 0.74umol/L ( Should < 0.68)
d) orn / citru 7.9 ( should < 1.5)

Plasma ammonia 54.8 mcg/dl ( 27.00 -102.00)

In the report they mentioned that this is aminoacid disorder.

Also suggested that treatment may include protein ristricted diet and supplimentation with ornithine.

Protein ristriction to less than 1.2g/kg per day prevents postprandial hyper amonimia and results in decreased concentraion of ornithine in blood .

After the birth, after two weeks , he started losing weight ( from 2.7 birth weight to 2.1 kg). And he was admitted in NICU to give liver infect treatment and hyper amonia. We have given sodium benzoate up to 1 year and came under control and stoped. Every six months we are testing blood samples and amonia is in control.

His activities are normal and but he is not gaining weight. Now he is weighing around 9.6kg (2 year and 9 months). For that reason they asked us to conduct above mentioned tests.

They asked us to contact dietitian and she told us to give lesser milk products , nuts, grams and higher protein products and normal food.

Could you please suggest us how to control Hyperornithinemia with the food. Also suggest us which are the supplements that can be given to him to increase weight .

Do we need to take care any other precautions.And does it have any long term effect on him.

Regards,
Jagadeesh h n
Bangalore, India
December 30th, 2008Kimberly

short-texas@excite.com
My question is posted above
December 30th, 2008Kimberly

I would like your advice I’m in stage 4 of kidney failure , and morbidly obese My BMI is 80 My Dr. can not agree on the kind of diet I should be on . One says do a high protein to lose the weight fast , the other says try vegan diet . My goal is to get my BMI under 30 so that I can receive a Kidney transplant . Yet I fill like I ‘m stuck between a rock and a hard place. If I lose 20 with the high protein diet , I lose kidney function I have not started dialysis yet we have been controlling it with diet up to this point
December 29th, 2008Rita

Very Smart Diet. I like it.
December 16th, 2008Rachel

Very helpful with someone who has gout, low protein diets help to reduce uric acid formed crystals that tear at the soft tissue around joints in feet.
November 6th, 2008wazyz

Informative but as a diabetic the carbs are to high.
November 3rd, 2008melba

thanks soooo,much needed help immediately and found it here for my
what sems to be over load of proten in my kidneys off to see specialist. Thanks again.
October 19th, 2008Syed Hassan Tanwir

I appreciate the efforts. It is a user friendly document and worth considering for health improvements tips. Thanks

Now tell me more about the balanced diet for patients having moderate or high level of Serum creatinine.
September 22nd, 2008LIzabeth

I have high ammonia levels in my blood and was told I need to lower my intake of protein. please tell me what I can eat and not eat and some more menus. Thank You.
August 31st, 2008elzieleon@yahoo.com

my husband has the problem of needing a low potassium and protein diet also. We are very frustrated cause most fruits he can not eat and now a cut back in meats. Please help!
July 8th, 2008angelo5715@hotmail.com

Thank you for the diet it helps to see how I plan my meals each day. I know what to do just need more ideas and diets on how to do it.

Thanks
June 26th, 2008horsey@a-znet.com

my husband’s kidneys are working only 40%. One of his doctors says he is producing too much potassium and needs a low potassium diet, while our family physician says he needs a low protien diet. So it is conficting and i am frustrated! Can you give me some ideas on what i can feed him to control the potassium and protien levels. please help.
June 12th, 2008hdichiera@bigpond.com.au

I am a diabtic, but have now been told y my doctor to look after my kidneys and go on a low protein diet. What can i eat and what cant i eat?????
May 12th, 2008rom@deguzman.com

I like this. Thanks. Do you have low protein diet package foods for sale?
May 4th, 2008It’s ok

Please post more low protein diets and post some that show what are high in protein.
April 30th, 2008Darcell E. Deane

I was just informed that if I didn’t commit to a low protein diet that I would have to go on a dialysis machine
April 16th, 2008Mimi

Please post more samples of low protein diets with lower sodium intake. I need help with lowering my protein intake
April 9th, 2008i like it

it is very good because i like how the food is edible and nawt just cardboardy b.s. that we are normally fed