Why Should I Follow a Low-Protein Diet?
This diet may be recommended if you have liver or kidney disease. The liver helps in protein digestion, and the kidneys are responsible for removing the waste products of protein digestion. If your liver or kidneys are not fully functioning, they will have to work extra hard to handle the protein that you eat. If you eat more protein than your liver or kidneys can handle, waste products will build up in your blood stream, causing fatigue and a decreased appetite.
If you have chronic
kidney failure
, adhering to a low-protein diet can delay your need for
dialysis
for up to a year. With kidney failure, you may also need to make other dietary changes, such as limiting the amount of salt, potassium, phosphorous, and fluid. Work with a registered dietitian to come up with an eating plan that meets your nutritional and medical needs.
Low-Protein Diet Basics
Dietary protein comes from two sources: animals and plants. Animal products are higher in protein and provide us with complete proteins. Complete proteins contain all of the essential amino acids that our bodies need to live and that we have to get from the food we eat. Plant products are lower in protein and provide us with incomplete proteins. Both types of protein should be a part of a healthful, low-protein diet.
Eating Guide for a Low-Protein Diet
The following chart categorizes food by group and lists the amount of protein per serving. Your doctor or dietitian will let you know how many grams of protein you can consume each day. On this diet, it is important that you work with a dietitian to make sure that you are within the recommended protein range and meeting all of your nutrient needs.
My daily protein limit is _______ grams.
Meat and Meat Substitutes
____ Servings per day
One serving = 7 grams protein
| Type |
One Serving |
| Beef, poultry, fish, lamb, veal |
1 ounce |
| Cheese |
1 ounce or ¼ cup shredded |
| Eggs |
1 |
| Peanut butter |
2 tablespoon |
| Dried peas or beans (cooked) |
½ cup |
Milk
____ Servings per day
One serving = 4 grams protein
| Type |
One Serving |
| Milk, cream, and yogurt |
½ cup |
| Ice cream |
¾ cup |
Starches
____ Servings per day
One serving = 3 grams protein
| Type |
One Serving |
| Bagel (varies), 4-ounce |
¼ of a bagel (1-ounce) |
| Bread (white, pumpernickel, whole wheat, rye) |
1 slice |
| Broth-based soup |
1 cup |
| Cooked beans, peas, or corn |
½ cup |
| Cooked cereal |
½ cup |
| Crackers |
4-6 |
| English muffin, hot dog bun, or hamburger bun |
½ |
| Pasta |
½ cup |
| Rice |
1/3 cup |
| Potato |
1 small or ½ cup mashed |
| Sweet potato or yam |
½ cup |
| Tortilla |
1 small |
| Unsweetened, dry cereal |
¾ cup |
Vegetables
____ Servings per day
One serving = 2 grams protein
| Type |
One Serving |
| Cooked vegetables |
½ cup |
| Raw vegetables |
1 cup |
| Tomato or vegetable juice |
½ cup |
Fruits
____ Servings per day
One serving = 0.5 grams protein
| Type |
One Serving |
| Canned fruit |
½ cup |
| Dried fruit |
¼ cup |
| Fresh fruit |
1 small or 1 cup (eg, cut up or berries) |
| Fresh juice |
½ cup |
Fats and Sugars
Pure fats and sugars contain no protein. But, foods made mostly of fat or sugar, such as cake, cookies, ice cream, snack chips, and fried foods tend to be high in calories and low in nutrition. There are some fats that are healthy in moderation, including olive oil, canola oil, avocados, and nuts. Ask your dietitian about how foods from this group can fit into your diet.