The low protein diet is a reduced protein diet, and it is a specific protocol designed for people who have to reduce their daily protein quota for kidney, liver or particular metabolic disorders.

This is the case, for example, of people with PKU (phenylketonuria) or homocystinuria problems, in which some amino acids cannot be metabolized adequately with serious or fatal consequences.

The low protein diet protocol is not the same for everyone: it is the doctor who establishes the daily protein quota, or the dietician, starting from the patient’s condition. For example, tubers and some types of vegetables can be excluded.

In this article I will simply explain how the low-protein diet works , and an example plan which, however, as always, must be checked with the attending physician. Close medical supervision is necessary to avoid deficiencies and it is the doctor who makes the right diet.

HYPOPROTEIC DIET: WHICH FOODS TO EAT

The ideal would be to obtain a quantity of macronutrients such as to have a protein-sparing effect .
In other words, proteins are reduced but thanks to the other nutrients they are used more effectively for the various physiological processes, and not to provide an energy supply.

This can be achieved by either increasing complex carbohydrates, for example by following protocols such as the McDougall diet or Dr. Kempner ‘s diet or the Graham diet (80% carbohydrate, 10% fat, 10% protein).

Therefore rice, potatoes or sweet potatoes, fruit, pasta, hypo-protein pasta and hypo-protein flour, corn, vegetable milk from cereals (from rice, from oats) or specific milks, bread, vegetables and a small amount of fat are the fundamental part of the diet.

The protein share can settle at around 10 percent of the daily caloric intake, or around 0.6 / 0.7 grams of protein per kilo of body weight. In general, diets can be as high as 7-8% of total protein. For example on a 2000 calorie diet, this means a maximum of 200 calories from protein foods, broken down into small doses throughout the day.

Based on the initial condition, the doctor may decide to exclude some categories of protein foods, due to their predominance of some amino acids that can be harmful in particular pathologies. The protein sources allowed, moderate to a maximum consumption of 100/120 grams per day (raw weight), must come from foods with a high biological value, but preferably lean: lean meat, fish, eggs or, to a limited extent, low-fat cheeses. Legumes are generally not recommended for this reason, but the doctor can meet the needs of vegan patients.

Also for this reason it is better to choose gluten-free, non-wholemeal cereal-based products, and in some cases specific dietary products, so as to be able to afford a minimum protein balance with foods with a high biological value for proteins.

Let’s now see an example menu of a low protein diet.