A low-protein diet is a diet in which the protein consumption is less. People who have kidney or liver disease may be prescribed a low-protein diet. Any low-protein diet should only be followed under medical supervision.
How Are Low-Protein Diets Achieved?
Some of each type of protein should be consumed, every day, from these sources:
- Vegetable products such as rice, pasta, bread, cereal, and dried beans are considered as low quality or incomplete protein
- Animal products such as eggs, meat, fish, poultry, and dairy products are considered as high quality or complete protein
Sandwiches |
- Fill with salad items like alfalfa sprouts, cucumber, chopped celery, apple, parsley, or water chestnuts
|
Soups |
- Use lower protein foods to make soups as filling, but with less protein
|
Main Dishes |
- Use low-protein pastas in the diet
- For cheeses, use small amounts of stronger-tasting cheeses such as Parmesan or romano to add flavor
- Use more vegetables and small pieces of meat in kebabs
- Make fried rice with vegetables and use less meat or shrimp
- For salads use fresh vegetables and only a few small strips of meat and egg
|
Less protein in the diet means a reduction in calories. To compensate we can increase calories by adding ingredients with minimal protein content such as:
- Candy and sweeteners such as hard candy, gumdrops, jelly beans, and marshmallows
- Increase heart-healthy fats with polyunsaturated vegetable oils such as safflower oil, soybean or sunflower oils, and olive oil
Sample Low-Protein Menu
| Breakfast |
- ½ Medium banana
- Orange juice ½ cup
- Cheerios cereal or equivalent ¾ cup
- Non-dairy creamer ½ cup
|
| Snack |
|
| Lunch |
- 2 Slices white bread
- Green beans ½ cup
- Mayonnaise 3 tsp
- 1 Medium apple
- Lettuce
|
| Snack |
|
| Dinner |
- Lean hamburger 2 oz/56 g
- Cauliflower ¼ cup
- White rice ½ cup
- Broccoli ¼ cup
|
| Snack |
|
|
