The low protein diet focuses on obtaining most of
a person’s daily calories from complex carbohydrates
rather than from proteins.
There are two main sources
of protein in the diet: higher levels are found in animal
products, including fish, poultry, eggs, meat, and dairy
products), while lower levels are found in vegetable
products (breads, cereals, rice, pasta, and dried beans).
Protein should never be completely eliminated
from the diet. The amount of protein that can be included in the diet depends on the degree of kidney or
liver damage and the amount of protein needed for an
individual to maintain good health.
Laboratory tests
are used to determine the amount of protein and protein
waste breakdown products in the blood. A suggested
acceptable level of protein in a low-protein diet
is about 0.6g/kg of body weight per day, or about 40 to
50 grams per day.
A person suffering from a kidney
disease such as nephrotic syndrome, where large
amounts of protein is lost in the urine, should ingest
moderate levels of protein (0.8 kg per kg of body
weight per day).
A sample menu for one day might include:
Breakfast:
1 orange, 1 egg or egg substitute, 1/2
cup rice or creamed cereal, 1 slice whole wheat bread
(toasted), 1/2 tablespoon margarine or butter, 1/2 cup
whole milk, hot, non-caloric beverage, 1 tablespoon
sugar (optional)
Lunch:
1 ounce sliced turkey breast, 1/2 cup
steamed broccoli, 1 slice whole wheat bread, 1/2 tablespoon
margarine or butter, 1 apple, 1/2 cup gelatin
dessert, 1 cup grape juice, hot, non-caloric beverage, 1
tablespoon sugar (optional)
Mid-Afternoon Snack:
6 squares salt-free soda
crackers, 1/2 tablespoon margarine or butter, 1 to 2
tablespoons jelly, 1/2 cup apple juice
Dinner:
1/2 cup tomato juice, 1 ounce beef, 1 baked
potato, 1 teaspoon margarine or butter (optional), 1/2
cup steamed spinach, 1 slice whole wheat bread, 1/3 cup
sherbet, 4 apricot halves, hot, non-caloric beverage
Evening Snack:
1 banana
This sample menu contains about 1850 calories,
with a protein content of 8%.
The purpose of a low protein diet is to prevent
worsening of kidney or liver disease. The diet is effective
because it decreases the stress on the kidney or
liver.
