Low-Protein Diet Plan – What To Eat And What To Avoid

Low-Protein Diet Plan – What To Eat And What To Avoid Saba August 10, 2018

A low-protein diet is recommended if your kidneys are not functioning properly. Which can happen if you were on a high-protein diet for many years. To prevent further deterioration, you must provide your kidneys the much-needed rest. And the best way to do that is to go on a low-protein diet.

In this article, you will find everything you must know about a low-protein diet. Join me in this discussion and get your questions answered. Swipe up!

Why Is A Low-Protein Diet Important?

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A low-protein diet is important for giving your kidneys rest and preventing toxic build-up in the body. This, in turn, prevents further health complications. But what should the percentage of protein be in your low-protein diet? Keep reading.

Proteins are the building blocks of your body. Your muscles, hair, nail, enzymes, and hormones are all made of protein. And by consuming protein from foods, you help build, repair, and rejuvenate your body structure and functioning.

The best sources of protein are mushrooms, beans and legumes, nuts, grains, tofu, and meat. And most of us tend to consume these more as compared to leafy veggies and fruits. In fact, most Americans consume about 13-15% more protein than what the body requires.

This is where the problem begins. Your kidneys have to work 24/7 to flush out the urea load (the waste product of protein metabolism/breakdown in the body). Imagine yourself working 24/7! Soon, your kidneys are stressed, leading to a toxic build-up in the body. This, in turn, causes other health problems. This is why you must go on a low-protein diet.

But does that mean you should eliminate protein from your diet? Or should you lower the percentage of protein in your diet? Find out next.

How Much Protein In A Low-Protein Diet?

Normally, your body requires about 40-60 g of protein every day (or 0.8 g of protein per kg body weight). So, if you weigh 60 kgs, you will need 48 g of protein per day.

In case you are overshooting that limit, you must reduce your protein consumption. And based on the condition of your kidneys, your doctor will tell you how much protein you should consume.

The bottom line is to avoid consuming high-protein sources and have foods that have low-protein content. What are they? Here’s a list of foods to eat and avoid on a low-protein diet.

Foods To Eat

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You must consume foods that are low in protein and have good nutritional value. Here’s the list:

Low-Protein Foods

• Veggies – Kale, spinach, carrot, beetroot, scallions, radish greens, radish, turnip, parsnip, and pumpkin.

• Starches – Bread, pasta, cereals, croissants, bagel, muffin, rice cakes, noodles, and popcorn.

These foods contain the lowest amounts of protein.

• Fruits – Apple, banana, papaya, melon, peach, plum, grapes, oranges, lemon, lime, grapefruit, dried fruits, fruit juice, and frozen or canned fruit.

• Fats – Butter, margarine, mayonnaise, vegetable oil, olive oil, and salad dressing.

• Sugars – Candies, cake, marshmallow, lollipop, Danish, and granola bars.

• Beverages – Green tea, non-dairy beverages, soda, and water.

• Condiments – Vinegar, powdered garlic, powdered onion, fresh and dried herbs, and pepper.

Foods You Can Eat In Moderate Amounts

You will be allowed to consume the following high-protein foods, but only in very small amounts. 

• Animal Protein – Fish, meat, and eggs.
• Dairy – Milk, pudding, cream cheese, sour cream, and yogurt.

Tip: Consider having non-dairy milk products if you have already consumed the allowed amounts of dairy products for the day.

Foods To Avoid

• Bacon
• Tartar sauce
• Meat tenderizers
• Ketchup
• Cooking wine
• Soy sauce
• Steak sauce
• Barbecue sauce
• Chili sauce
• Seasoned salt
• Sea salt

 Tip: Avoid consuming high-sodium foods or sugary foods. Talk to your doctor to decide the allowed amount of each food.

 Now, let me tell you how you can plan your diet depending on the foods that you are allowed to eat.

Sample Low- Protein Diet Plan 

You do not have to follow this diet every day. Here are a few tricks that will help you eat normally without feeling deprived.

How To Easily Integrate A Low-Protein Diet Into Your Routine

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Initially, going on a low-protein diet may seem like a drastic change. But if you know how to tweak your diet plan, it will only get easier. Here’s what you can do.

• Consume thin slices of meat – this cuts down the protein content.
• Consider the veggies in your salad as the main dish; the small amount of meat can be the high-protein source.
• Mostly use non-dairy products.
• Decrease the meat when you make a casserole.
• Consume vegetable lasagna.
• While making wraps and sandwiches, avoid using shrimps and big chunks of meat.

So, you see, it is not that difficult. You just need to check your daily protein intake. You can see in the above diet chart that the total calorie count is lower than that of your regular diet. That’s because when you eliminate a huge portion of protein, the calories take a nosedive. However, you must counteract this problem with the help of calorie boosters. What are they? Find out in the next section.

Calorie Boosters

These are foods that will help you maintain a healthy weight. Here’s what you can eat:

• Fats – Consume olive oil, mayonnaise, and rice bran oil.
• Sugar – Add sugar to your diet in the form of jellies, jelly beans, jam, jelly, syrups, gummies, and hard candy.
• Frozen/Canned Foods – Canned or frozen fruits and veggies are high in calories and can act as calorie boosters when you are on a low-protein diet.

Using these foods will not drastically drop the number of calories you consume, thereby protecting you from weak immunity and fatigue. Now, let’s talk about the most exciting part. Scroll down to find out what it is.

Low-Protein Recipes 

1. Vegetable And Salmon Salad

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Ingredients

• ¼ cup baby spinach
• ¼ cup rocket spinach
• ¼ cup collard greens
• 1 oz smoked salmon, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
• 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• Salt to taste

How To Prepare 

1. Toss all the greens and salmon into a bowl.
2. Mix the mayonnaise, lime juice, honey, salt, and chili flakes in a small bowl.
3. Drizzle it over the salad.
4. Garnish with chopped cilantro.

2. Flat Rice Breakfast Bowl

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Ingredients

• ½ cup flat rice
• 1 cup non-dairy milk
• ½ cup blueberries
• ½ cup raspberries
• 1 small banana, sliced
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup

How To Prepare

1. Wash the flat rice. Drain the water and toss the flat rice into a bowl.
2. Add milk and top it with the fruits.
3. Add a generous amount of maple syrup and cocoa powder. And it’s ready!

3. Low-Protein Egg And Avocado Toast

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Ingredients

• ½ boiled egg
• 1 slice of wheat bread
• ½ avocado
• 2 tablespoon mayonnaise
• Salt and pepper

How To Prepare

1. Slice the avocado and boiled egg.
2. Place them on top of the wheat toast.
3. Drizzle a little mayonnaise, season, and it’s ready!

As you can see, you are not simply grazing on grass. Just limit the amount of protein you consume every day. Before I conclude, here are the benefits of a low-protein diet.

Benefits Of A Low-Protein Diet

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• Lowers the risk of kidney failure.
• Prevents kidney stones (and their recurrence).
• Protects the liver.
• Slows down aging.
• Reduces the risk of arthritis and gout.
• Helps treat hypertension.
• Cools the body.

But there is a different side to this story as well.

Risks Associated With A Low-Protein Diet

• Following a low-protein diet on a continuous basis affects the vital functions of cells, such as wound healing and immune response.
• A low-protein diet can lead to muscle loss.
• Finally, this diet is low in iron, calcium, thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), and niacin (vitamin B3) – and hence, you would need nutritional supplements to sustain normal body functions.
• Increases the risk of infections.
• Can harm the heart if sugar and fat sources are not monitored.
• May lead to tooth decay.

You must talk to your doctor before you start a low-protein diet. Also, take the following precautions.

Precautions To Be Taken On A Low-Protein Diet

• A low-protein diet should be followed under strict medical guidance from a dietitian who is familiar with liver and kidney diseases.
• The diet should be designed in a way to meet the nutritional needs of the dieter and cut down the workload on the kidneys.
• The diet should not eliminate protein-rich foods like eggs, meat, and cheese.

There you have it – everything you need to know about the low-protein diet. Consult your doctor today, give your kidneys some rest, and lead a happy and healthy life. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. Take care!

Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions

Can you lose weight on a low-protein diet?

Yes, but that might happen through loss of muscle mass, which is not recommended. Consult your doctor before you start a low-protein diet exclusively for losing weight.

Will a low-protein diet help with inherited metabolic disorders?

Yes, a low-protein diet is recommended for those with phenylketonuria and homocystinuria. Consult a doctor to find out the amount of protein you can have per day.

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• The GM Diet Plan: How To Lose Weight In Just 7 Days
• Low Carb Diet: What To Eat, Advantages, And Disadvantages
• 5 Amazing Benefits Of High Protein Low Carb Diet
• A Simple Diet Plan To Reduce Belly Fat

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