Low Protein Diet

Updated 09/20/2018
Category: Diet

Protein is a nutrient needed by the body for normal growth, wound healing, and the ability to fight infection. People with severe kidney or liver disease often must limit the amount of protein they eat because their bodies cannot use the protein properly. Dangerous waste products can build up in the blood from eating too much protein.

The major food sources of protein are:

Highest Amount of protein

Meat, fish, poultry, eggs
Milk, yogurt, cheese, peanut butter

Small Amount of Protein

Vegetables
Starches such as breads, cereals, and pasta (the protein in these foods is of poorer but still good quality)

Trace Amount of Protein

Fruits
Fats
Sugars

Nutrition Facts

For the healthy person, between 40-60 grams of protein are needed each day to achieve and maintain good health. This, of course, will depend on the weight and health of an individual. A person recovering from an illness or injury often needs more. It is satisfactory to eat less than this amount for a short period of time, depending on health and diet objectives. If you are instructed to begin a low protein diet, discuss with your physician the maximum amount of protein permitted. Use the following tables to calculate the amount of protein in your diet.

Special Considerations
Protein is never completely eliminated from the diet. The physician and dietitian can determine how much protein the body is able to handle. However, since the amount of protein is limited, it is important to eat foods that contain high quality protein (meat, milk, fish, poultry, eggs, and peanut butter). These proteins are complete. They contain all the essential amino acids (building blocks of protein). Even though the protein in vegetables and starches is incomplete, it is still important to include these foods in a daily meal plan for a well-balanced diet. Salt and Sodium: Many people with serious kidney or liver disease may also need to limit salt or sodium intake because of high blood pressure or fluid retention. The greatest source of sodium in the diet is table salt. Therefore, the first step in reducing sodium intake is to limit the use of table salt. Certain other foods have a high sodium content and will also need to be limited.

Special Considerations

Protein is never completely eliminated from the diet. The physician and dietitian can determine how much protein the body is able to handle. However, since the amount of protein is limited, it is important to eat foods that contain high quality protein (meat, milk, fish, poultry, eggs, and peanut butter). These proteins are complete. They contain all the essential amino acids (building blocks of protein). Even though the protein in vegetables and starches is incomplete, it is still important to include these foods in a daily meal plan for a well-balanced diet.
Salt and Sodium: Many people with serious kidney or liver disease may also need to limit salt or sodium intake because of high blood pressure or fluid retention. The greatest source of sodium in the diet is table salt. Therefore, the first step in reducing sodium intake is to limit the use of table salt. Certain other foods have a high sodium content and will also need to be limited.

Fats One serving contains: virtually no protein, 55 mg sodium
One serving equals:
regular butter or margarine	1 tsp
mayonnaise	1 tsp
vegetable oil	1 tsp
gravy	1 Tbsp
reduced calorie margarine	1 Tbsp
reduced calorie mayonnaise	1 Tbsp
salad dressing (oil type)	2 Tbsp
low calorie salad dressing (oil type)	2 Tbsp
low calorie salad dressing (mayonnaise type)	2 Tbsp
tartar sauce	1 1/2 tsp
Avoid the following if you are reducing sodium intake: commercially prepared gravy, gravy mixes, bacon fat. Remember, fats are a substantial source of calories. Some people may need additional calories and should therefore use fats freely. Those who need to lose weight should use fats sparingly.

Fruit One serving contains virtually no protein or sodium
One serving equals:
fresh, frozen, or canned fruit or fruit juice	1/2 cup
dried fruit	1/4 cup

Meat and Meat Substitutes One serving contains 7 gm protein, 25 mg sodium.
One serving equals:
lean beef	1 oz
chicken	1 oz
fish	1 oz
lamb	1 oz
fresh pork	1 oz
low-sodium tuna	1/4 cup
turkey	1 oz
veal	1 oz
egg	1
peanut butter*	2 Tbsp
kidney beans	1/4 cup dry
soybeans	1/2 cup
garbanzo beans*	1/2 cup
lentils	1/2 cup
low-sodium cheese*	1 oz
Avoid the following if you are also reducing sodium intake: bacon cold cuts (bologna, salami, loaf-type luncheon meats, or processed meats) corned beef ham sausage low-salt ham or cold cuts hot dogs, chicken dogs turkey ham, turkey bologna regular canned tuna regular TV dinners (special low-sodium dinners may be acceptable — check protein content) cottage cheese processed cheeses such as American, Velveeta, cheese spreads canned kidney beans *higher in sodium

Breads, Starches,Cereals, and Desserts One serving contains 2 gm protein, 80 mg sodium 42
Breads – One serving equals:
white, wheat	1 slice
rye or pumpernickel	1 slice
Italian or French bread	1 slice
dinner roll	1
croissant	1
pita pocket	1
hamburger roll	1/2
hot dog roll	1/2
bagel	1/2
English muffin	1/2
biscuit	1
doughnut	1
muffin	1
unsalted bread sticks	2
Melba toast	4 slices
unsalted crackers	4
unsalted pretzels	4
unsalted potato chips	15 chips
rice cakes	2
Starches, cooked – One serving equals:
noodles, macaroni, pasta	1/2 cup
rice	1/2 cup
unsalted popcorn	1 1/2 cups
homemade bread filling	1/2 cup
potatoes	1/2 cup or 1 medium
pancake (homemade)	1 medium
Cereals – One serving equals:
unsalted cooked cereal (cream of wheat, cream of rice, oatmeal, Farina)	1/2 cup
ready-to-eat cereal*	3/4 cup
shredded wheat	1 biscuit
*may be high in sodium
Cakes, Pastries, and Desserts – One serving equals:
cake	1 piece (2 1/2″ square)
coffee cake	1 piece
Danish	1 piece
fruit pie	1 slice (1/6 of 9″ pie)
cookies	1 medium
granola bars	1
Avoid the following if you are reducing sodium intake: instant hot cereals cornflakes, Rice Krispies, Total, Wheaties salted snack crackers, pretzels, potato chips packaged noodles, pasta, rice, or potato mixes stuffing mixes pancake mixes baking mixes croissants, rolls, biscuits made from commercially packaged refrigerator dough waffles Special low-protein pasta, bread, crackers, cookies, and baking mixes are available. A dietitian can discuss these with you.

Vegetables
One serving contains 1 gm protein, 15 mg sodium

One serving equals:

fresh, frozen, or low-salt canned vegetables

1/2 cup

Avoid the following if you are reducing sodium intake:

canned vegetables
sauerkraut
pickles
canned tomato juice or vegetable juice
canned or bottled tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce

Milk Products One serving contains 4 gm protein, 80 mg sodium
One serving equals:
whole, low-fat, or skim milk	1/2 cup
homemade pudding	1/2 cup
ice milk, ice cream	1/2 cup
yogurt, plain or fruit flavored	1/2 cup
sherbet	1 cup
sour cream	4 Tbsp
cream cheese	3 Tbsp
light cream or half & half	1/2 cup
The following may be used as a milk substitute: One serving contains 1.0 gm protein, 40 mg sodium
liquid non-dairy cream, polyunsaturated	1/2 cup
dessert, non-dairy frozen	1/2 cup
dessert topping, non-dairy frozen	1/2 cup

Sweets One serving contains virtually no protein or sodium
hard candy	4 pieces
gum drops	15 small
Gummi Bears	1 small pouch
jelly beans	10
lollipops	2
marshmallows	5 large
butter mints	14
water ice	1/2 cup
popsicle	3 oz = 1 bar
gelatin	1/2 cup
sugar (brown or white)	2 Tbsp
honey	2 Tbsp
jelly, jam, marmalade	2 Tbsp
Remember, sweets are a source of calories. Some people may need additional calories and should therefore use sweets freely. Those who need to lose weight should use sweets sparingly.

Beverages One serving contains virtually no protein, <50 mg sodium
coffee	fruit juices or fruit drinks
tea	lemonade
soft drinks	mineral water
Avoid milk-based beverages unless counted as part of milk allowance.
Low-Protein Shake Recipe:
marshmallows	4 oz
fruit ice or Italian ice	4 oz
corn syrup	1/4 cup
vegetable oil	1 Tbsp
vanilla ice cream	1/2 cup
Place all ingredients in a blender and mix thoroughly. 600 calories – 2.5 gm protein – 170 mg sodium

Condiments
Recommend:
pepper fresh or dried herbs flavored powders (garlic, onion, etc.) lemon juice vinegar
Avoid:
bacon bits barbecue sauce chili sauce cooking wine ketchup meat tenderizers monosodium glutamate prepared mustard regular salad dressings seasoned salt (e.g., celery salt, garlic salt, onion salt) sea salt soy sauce steak sauce tartar sauce

Special Low-Protein Products
The following product is low in protein, electrolytes, and fluid, it can be ordered at Abbott Nutrition. SUPLENA
The following low-protein products can be ordered by calling Dietary Specialties at (888) 640-2800. or email: [email protected] Low-Protein Bread Low-Protein Crackers & Rusks Low-Protein Cookies Low-Protein Pasta Low-Protein Baking Mix Low-Protein Wheat Starch Low-Protein Gelatin Low-Protein Cracker Toast Low-Protein Cheese Sauce Mix

Special Low-Protein Products

The following product is low in protein, electrolytes, and fluid, it can be ordered at Abbott Nutrition.

SUPLENA

The following low-protein products can be ordered by calling Dietary Specialties at (888) 640-2800. or email: [email protected]

Low-Protein Bread
Low-Protein Crackers & Rusks
Low-Protein Cookies
Low-Protein Pasta
Low-Protein Baking Mix
Low-Protein Wheat Starch
Low-Protein Gelatin
Low-Protein Cracker Toast
Low-Protein Cheese Sauce Mix

Sample Menu Low Protein
Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Cheerios cereal 3/4 cup non-dairy creamer 1/2 cup orange juice 1/2 cup banana 1/2 med	white bread 2 slices turkey breast 1 oz lettuce tomato 1/2 cup green beans 1/2 cup mayonnaise 3 tsp apple 1 med fruit punch 4 oz	lean hamburger 2 oz white rice 1/2 cup broccoli 1/4 cup cauliflower 1/4 cup tossed salad ranch dressing 2 Tbsp pineapple 1/2 cup
Snack	Snack	Snack
cherry fruit roll up 1	popsicle 1	gum drops 1 oz

This Sample Diet Provides the Following
Calories	1,476	Fat	48 gm
Protein	39 gm	Sodium	1,270 mg
Carbohydrates	237 gm	Potassium	2,282 mg

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Nutrition Facts

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