The low protein diet is a type of diet developed by dietitians and nutritionists indicated for all those who must reduce the protein pregnancy due to poor liver or kidney function and thus prevent the worsening of the disease.
As is known, proteins are necessary for the growth, maintenance and repair of body tissues and also help fight infection and heal wounds in the body. When there is a liver or kidney malfunction, the body simply does not release proteins properly, thus causing loss of appetite, nausea, headaches, bad taste in the mouth, and more.
What is the low protein diet?
The low protein diet consists of obtaining daily calories from carbohydrates instead of protein. There are two main sources from which high or low protein levels can be acquired to balance the diet:
- High levels of protein can be found in meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products.
- Low levels are found in plant products such as bread, cereals, rice, pasta, and dried legumes.
What is the purpose of this diet?
The purpose of a low-protein diet is to prevent the worsening of kidney or liver disease. The diet is effective, since it reduces the pressure on the kidneys or the liver, due to the decrease in the protein load of both organs.
What are your risks?
A person requiring a low protein diet should consult a dietitian familiar with liver or kidney disease to provide guidance on developing a proper diet. The diet should:
- Meet the nutritional needs of the person.
- Reduce the workload on the kidneys or liver.
- Help maintain kidney or liver function.
- Control the accumulation of waste products.
It is important to also mention that strict adherence to the diet can be difficult, especially for children.
What are the risks of this diet?
Calcium and phosphorus levels must be closely monitored, as in people with kidney disease , phosphorus levels can become too high, while calcium levels can become too low. Following these two minerals may require adjusting your daily intake since, although phosphorus is a mineral that helps keep bones strong, excess phosphorus can cause itchy skin or damage joints.
Example of a healthy low protein diet
This sample menu contains about 1,850 calories, with 8% protein content.
1. Breakfast
1 orange, 1 egg or egg substitute, 1/2 cup of rice or cream cereal, 1 slice of whole wheat bread (toasted), 1/2 tablespoon of margarine or butter, whole milk, (1/2 cup) , hot drink (non-caloric) plus 1 tablespoon of sugar (optional).
2. Lunch
1/2 cup of steamed broccoli, 1 slice of whole wheat bread, 1/2 tablespoon of margarine or butter, 1 apple, 1/2 cup of gelatin dessert, 1 cup of grape juice, non-caloric hot drink, 1 tablespoon sugar (optional).
3. Snack
Crackers served with margarine or butter, 1 to 2 tablespoons of gelatin, 1/2 cup of apple juice, mid-afternoon snack.
4. Dinner
1/2 cup of tomato juice, 30 gr. beef, 1 baked potato, 1 teaspoon margarine or butter (optional), 1/2 cup steamed spinach, 1 slice of whole wheat bread, 4 hot apricot halves, calorie-free drinks.
5. Snack at night
1 banana
Reference
- Low-Protein diet. For Diet.com [Reviewed April 2016]
