Definition of Low-protein diet:

A low-protein diet is often recommended to help treat certain health conditions. A low-protein
diet puts less strain on the kidneys. As a result, this type of diet can benefit people with kidney-
related disorders, such as kidney disease or phenylketonuria.

A low-protein diet requires you to restrict the amount of protein you consume, typically so that it
constitutes 4–8% of your daily calories.

This translates to somewhere between 20–50 grams of protein per day, depending on how many
calories you consume.

For comparison, the average person is generally recommended to get at least 10–15% of their
daily calories from protein. This amount may increase for athletes, older adults and those with
certain health problems

Protein is vital to health, but reducing protein intake can be therapeutic for people with specific
conditions.

In particular, low-protein diets may benefit those with decreased kidney or liver function.

They may also be necessary for those with disorders that affect protein metabolism, such as
homocystinuria and phenylketonuria.

However, going on a low-protein diet requires careful planning to prevent health issues and
nutritional deficiencies.

Additionally, there are other risks and potential drawbacks you should consider before beginning
a low-protein diet.

When a person eats protein, the body produces a compound called urea. If the kidneys are not
functioning well, urea can build up in the blood and cause fatigue and a loss of appetite.

By making key changes, a person can develop a satisfying and diverse low-protein diet plan that
works for them.

Who should follow a low-protein diet?

Fresh fruit and most vegetables can play a big role in a low-protein diet.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015–2020 recommend that most adults consume at least
10% of their daily calories in the form of protein. A low-protein diet involves eating less protein
than this each day.

Some people cannot tolerate high levels of protein. If the body cannot process protein or its
waste, these substances build up and cause symptoms ranging from nausea and vomiting to brain
damage.

For these people, following a low-protein diet will reduce the risk of negative health effects.

Doctors may recommend that people with the following health conditions adopt a low-protein
diet:

Kidney disease

By reducing protein intake, people with kidney disease who are not on dialysis can
reduce stress on their kidneys and prevent the buildup of urea in the bloodstream.

The body produces urea, a compound, during the digestion of protein. In people who do not have
kidney problems, urea leaves the body through the urine, without causing issues.

However, when the kidneys do not function correctly, urea builds up in the blood and causes
symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, and loss of appetite.

A 2018 review of 17 studies reports that very low protein intake may slow down the progression
of advanced kidney failure.

The National Kidney Foundation advise that limiting protein intake can extend the amount of
time before a person needs dialysis. Those already receiving dialysis treatment should not follow
a very low-protein diet.

Diabetic nephropathy

A review of several studies reports that a low-protein diet may improve the symptoms of diabetic
nephropathy, which refers to diabetes-induced kidney damage.
The research did not uncover adverse effects of the diet, such as worsening of
other diabetes symptoms.

Phenylketonuria

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare disorder that occurs when the body does not produce the
enzyme needed to break down an amino acid called phenylalanine. Amino acids are the building
blocks of protein.

For a person who has PKU, eating foods rich in protein can cause phenylalanine to build up in
the body.

If people with PKU do not receive treatment, it can lead to intellectual disability and other
neurologic symptoms, such as hyperactivity, poor coordination, and seizures.

The main treatment for PKU is a lifelong, very low-protein diet. People with the condition
should consume only the minimal amount of phenylalanine necessary for healthy growth and
development.

Homocystinuria

Homocystinuria is an inherited disorder that affects the body's ability to process methionine,
another amino acid. A buildup of methionine causes problems with vision and bone health.

As with PKU, treatment involves a very low-protein diet.

Health Benefits of a Low-Protein Diet

Authors of a review of research suggest that a low-protein diet may also provide some benefits
for people without kidney problems. They report that in middle-aged (but not older) adults,
restricting protein intake may reduce the risk of:

• cancer

• Diabetes

• Heart disease
Other research, published in the journal Cell Reports, indicates that a diet low in protein and high
in carbohydrates may help protect brain health and reduce cognitive decline. However, the
scientists only conducted this research in mice and cannot be sure of the effects in humans.

Authors of a 2015 study report that a low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet may be just as effective
at increasing a person's lifespan as following a calorie-restricted diet, possibly because of
benefits to heart health and digestion. However, they only tested this in mice.

The benefits of a low-protein diet mostly apply to people with specific health conditions or
diseases, rather than those who are generally healthy.

Excess protein is typically broken down by the liver, producing a waste product called urea,
which is excreted by the kidney.

Decreasing protein intake can ease the workload of the liver and kidneys, which can be
beneficial for people with liver disease or impaired kidney function.

This helps improve protein metabolism and prevents a buildup of urea in the bloodstream.

Having high levels of urea in the blood causes symptoms like fatigue, loss of appetite, weight
loss and changes in mental status

It may also be associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and death in those with heart
failure. Reducing protein intake is also necessary for those with genetic disorders that affect
protein metabolism, such as homocystinuria and phenylketonuria.

These disorders impair the breakdown of specific amino acids, so reducing protein intake can
help minimize symptoms. Some research has also found that low-protein diets may be associated
with several health benefits for the general population.

According to one review, restricted protein intake in middle-aged adults was associated
with increased life expectancy and reduced risks of chronic conditions like cancer, heart disease
and diabetes.

However, more studies are still needed to evaluate the potential long-term benefits of protein
restriction in healthy adults. Potential Side Effects

Potential Side Effects (Deficiency)

Most foods contain some protein. As a result, true protein deficiency is rare in developed
countries. However, some people may still be at risk.

Deficiency leads to various health problems, while low protein intake may also be a concern, as
it can cause subtle changes in your body over time.

Protein deficiency is when your intake is unable to meet your body’s requirements.

An estimated one billion people worldwide suffer from inadequate protein intake.

The problem is especially severe in Central Africa and South Asia, where up to 30% of children
get too little protein from their diet.

Certain people in developed countries are also at risk. This includes people who follow an
imbalanced diet, as well as institutionalized older people and hospitalized patients.

While true protein deficiency is uncommon in the Western world, some people get very low
amounts from their diet.

Too little protein may cause changes in body composition that develop over a long period of
time, such as muscle wasting.

The most severe form of protein deficiency is known as kwashiorkor. It most often occurs in
children in developing countries where famine and imbalanced diets are common.

Protein deficiency can affect almost all aspects of body function. As a result, it is associated with
many symptoms.

Some of these symptoms may start to occur even when protein deficiency is marginal. They are
listed below, along with some typical symptoms of kwashiorkor.

1. Edema

Edema, which is characterized by swollen and puffy skin, is a classic symptom of kwashiorkor.
Scientists believe it is caused by low amounts of human serum albumin, which is the most
abundant protein in the liquid part of blood, or blood plasma.

One of albumin’s main functions is to maintain oncotic pressure — a force that draws fluid into
the blood circulation. In this way, albumin prevents excessive amounts of fluid from
accumulating in tissues or other body compartments.

Because of reduced human serum albumin levels, severe protein deficiency leads to lower
oncotic pressure. As a result, fluid accumulates in tissues, causing swelling.

For the same reason, protein deficiency may lead to fluid buildup inside the abdominal cavity. A
bloated belly is a characteristic sign of kwashiorkor.

Keep in mind that edema is a symptom of severe protein deficiency, which is unlikely to happen
in developed countries.

2. Fatty Liver

Another common symptom of kwashiorkor is a fatty liver, or fat accumulation in liver cells.

Left untreated, the condition may develop into fatty liver disease, causing inflammation, liver
scarring and potentially liver failure.

Fatty liver is a common condition in obese people, as well as those who consume a lot of
alcohol.

Why it occurs in cases of protein deficiency is unclear, but studies suggest that an impaired
synthesis of fat-transporting proteins, known as lipoproteins, may contribute to the condition.

3. Skin, Hair and Nail Problems

Protein deficiency often leaves its mark on the skin, hair and nails, which are largely made of
protein.

For instance, kwashiorkor in children is distinguished by flaky or splitting skin, redness and
patches of depigmented skin.
Hair thinning, faded hair color, hair loss (alopecia) and brittle nails are also common symptoms.

However, these symptoms are unlikely to appear unless you have a severe protein deficiency.

4. Loss of Muscle Mass

Your muscles are your body’s largest reservoir of protein.

When dietary protein is in short supply, the body tends to take protein from skeletal muscles to
preserve more important tissues and body functions. As a result, lack of protein leads to muscle
wasting over time.

Even moderate protein insufficiency may cause muscle wasting, especially in elderly people.

One study in elderly men and women found that muscle loss was greater among those who
consumed the lowest amounts of protein.

This has been confirmed by other studies that show that an increased protein intake may slow the
muscle degeneration that comes with old age.

5. Greater Risk of Bone Fractures

Muscles are not the only tissues affected by low protein intake.

Your bones are also at risk. Not consuming enough protein may weaken your bones and increase
the risk of fractures.

One study in postmenopausal women found that a higher protein intake was associated with a
lower risk of hip fractures. The highest intake was linked to a 69% reduced risk, and animal-
source protein appeared to have the greatest benefits.

Another study in postmenopausal women with recent hip fractures showed that taking 20 grams
of protein supplements per day for half a year slowed bone loss by 2.3%.

6. Stunted Growth in Children

Protein not only helps maintain muscle and bone mass, but it’s also essential for body growth.

Thus, deficiency or insufficiency is especially harmful to children whose growing bodies require
a steady supply.

In fact, stunting is the most common sign of childhood malnutrition. In 2013, an estimated 161
million children suffered from stunted growth.

Observational studies show a strong association between low protein intake and impaired
growth.

Stunted growth is also one of the main characteristics of kwashiorkor in children.

7. Increased Severity of Infections

A protein deficit can also take its toll on the immune system.

Impaired immune function may increase the risk or severity of infections, a common symptom of
severe protein deficiency.

For instance, one study in mice showed that following a diet consisting of only 2% protein was
associated with a more severe influenza infection, compared to a diet providing 18% protein.

Even marginally low protein intake may impair immune function. One small study in older
women showed following a low-protein diet for nine weeks significantly reduced their immune
response.

8. Greater Appetite and Calorie Intake

Although poor appetite is one of the symptoms of severe protein deficiency, the opposite seems
to be true for milder forms of deficiency.

When your protein intake is inadequate, your body attempts to restore your protein status by
increasing your appetite, encouraging you to find something to eat.
But a protein deficit doesn’t aimlessly drive the urge to eat, at least not for everyone. It may
selectively increase people’s appetite for savory foods, which tend to be high in protein.

While this may certainly help in times of food shortage, the problem is that modern society
offers unlimited access to savory, high-calorie foods.

Many of these convenience foods contain some protein. However, the amount of protein in these
foods is often considerably low compared to the number of calories they provide.

As a result, poor protein intake may lead to weight gain and obesity, an idea known as the
protein leverage hypothesis.

Not all studies support the hypothesis, but protein is clearly more satiating than carbs and fat.

This is part of the reason why increased protein intake can reduce overall calorie intake
and promote weight loss.

If you are feeling hungry all the time and have difficulties keeping your calorie intake in check,
try adding some lean protein to every meal.

Protein is an essential nutrient crucial to growth and development.

Your body uses it to form the foundation of your muscles, skin and bones, produce important
enzymes and hormones, and build and repair tissues.

Studies show that a protein deficiency can have detrimental effects on health, including impaired
immune function, muscle loss and decreased growth in children.

Other possible symptoms of a protein deficiency include swelling, anemia, fatty liver disease,
hair loss and reduced bone density.

Besides the possible health risks involved, decreasing your protein intake can be very
challenging.

Not only does following a low-protein diet take a bit of creativity, it also requires careful
planning to ensure you meet your other nutritional needs.

This is because high-protein foods supply a good number of calories and key micronutrients.
For example, beef is rich in B vitamins, iron and zinc, while beans are a good source of
magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.

When following a low-protein diet, it’s important to ensure you’re getting these nutrients from
other sources to prevent nutrient deficiencies.

However, because of its potential dangers and health risks, a low-protein diet is not advisable
unless you have an underlying health condition and are under direct medical supervision.

Protein deficiency can cause impaired immune function, muscle loss and decreased growth. It
can also be challenging to reduce protein intake and requires careful planning to meet your
nutritional needs.

Foods to Eat

In most diets, meals tend to center around high-protein foods like meat or plant-based proteins.

However, on a low-protein diet, your meals should be focused on the low-protein components of
meals, such as grains, vegetables or fruits.

You can still include meat and plant-based proteins in your diet, but you should use them as side
dishes and consume them only in small amounts.

You may also need to bump up your intake of healthy fats, which can provide extra calories to
help you meet your daily needs.

Healthy Low-Protein Foods to Include

• Fruits:Apples, bananas, pears, peaches, berries, grapefruit, etc.

• Vegetables: Tomatoes, asparagus, peppers, broccoli, leafy greens, etc.
• Grains: Rice, oats, bread, pasta, barley, etc.
• Healthy fats: Includes avocados, olive oil and coconut oil
Many other types of food are low in protein, and a person should use moderation when
incorporating them into the diet. Some of these foods include:

• sugar
• candies that do not contain gelatin
• tea and coffee, without dairy milk
• jams and jellies
• mayonnaise
• butter
• many sauces and dressings, including tomato sauces and salad dressings

Moderate-protein foods

On a low-protein diet, people should eat foods that contain moderate amounts of protein
sparingly. Examples include:

• bread
• crackers
• breakfast cereals
• pasta
• oats
• corn
• rice

Low-protein versions of many of these products are available online or in pharmacies.

Foods to Avoid

Protein is still a necessary part of the diet, even if you’re on a low-protein diet. So don’t avoid it
altogether.

However, if you’re on a low-protein diet, you should consume high-protein foods like animal
products and plant-based proteins in moderation.

To do this, up your intake of healthy, low-protein foods like fruits and vegetables. At the same
time, you may need to scale back on your protein serving sizes.

For example, a serving of chicken is generally about 4 ounces (113 grams).

However, on a low-protein diet, you may need to cut that amount in half and stick to a 2-ounce
(57-gram) serving to keep your protein intake in check.

High-Protein Foods to Limit or Avoid

• Meats like chicken, turkey, beef and pork

• Fish and shellfish
 • Eggs
• Legumes, including beans, peas and lentils
• Dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt
• Soy products like tofu, tempeh and natto
• Nuts like walnuts, almonds and pistachios
• Seeds like chia seeds, flaxseeds and hemp seeds

3-Day Sample Menu

Day 1

• Breakfast: 1 boiled egg with 2 cinnamon pancakes.

• Snack: 1 medium apple with 1 tbsp (16 grams) peanut butter.

• Lunch: 1 cup (140 grams) cooked spaghetti with vegetable Bolognese and 1/2 cup (67
grams) roasted asparagus.

• Snack: 1 cup (76 grams) strawberries with 1 ounce (28 grams) dark chocolate.

• Dinner: Tortilla wrap with 1 ounce (28 grams) canned tuna and 1/2 avocado. Garnish
with tomatoes, lettuce and onions.

• Snack: 1 cup (148 grams) frozen blueberries.

Day 2

• Breakfast: 1 cup (28 grams) cereal with 1/2 cup (119 ml) almond milk and 1 large
orange.

• Snack: 1 medium banana.

• Lunch: Sandwich with 1 ounce (28 grams) deli meat and 1/2 cup (55 grams) green
beans. Garnish with lettuce, tomatoes and mayonnaise.

• Snack: 5 crackers with 1 ounce (28 grams) cheddar cheese.

• Dinner: 2 ounces (57 grams) grilled chicken with 1/2 cup (90 grams) cooked white rice
and 1/2 cup (78 grams) steamed broccoli.

• Snack: 1 cup (245 grams) coconut yogurt with 1/2 cup (72 grams) blackberries.

Day 3
 • Breakfast: 2 slices toast with 1 ounce (28 grams) cream cheese and 1 medium apple.

• Snack: 1 cup (151 grams) frozen grapes.

• Lunch: Cauliflower burger and 1 small baked sweet potato topped with 1 tablespoon (14
grams) olive oil.

• Snack: 1/2 cup (70 grams) baby carrots with 2 tablespoons (30 grams) guacamole.

• Dinner: Greek salad with 2 cups (60 grams) spinach and 1 ounce (28 grams) feta cheese.
Add cucumbers, tomatoes, olives and onions to taste, top with 1 tbsp (14 grams) olive oil.
Serve with 1 slice pita bread.

• Snack: 3 cups air-popped popcorn.

Recipe ideas

When following a low-protein diet, it can be helpful to think of vegetables and grains as the main
components of a meal. A person should consider meat, pulses, and soy products to be side dishes
or condiments.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) report that most people, whether they have kidney
disease or not, can meet their protein needs with just 2 servings of meat or meat substitutes each
day. A serving is 3 ounces, or the size of a deck of cards.

Examples of satisfying low-protein meals include:

• a sandwich with very thinly sliced meat, lots of vegetables, and mayonnaise
• fried white rice with vegetables and a small portion of meat, tofu, or shellfish
• low-protein pasta with tomato sauce and roasted vegetables
• a burrito, made with a low-protein tortilla, vegetables, salsa, homemade guacamole, and a
small portion of beans
• vegetable curry with low-protein rice or a small portion of regular rice
• homemade vegetable soup
Low-protein snacks include:

• fresh fruit
• raw vegetable sticks with salsa or homemade guacamole
• homemade muffins, made with a low-protein baking mix
• baked sweet potato fries with a spicy mayonnaise dip
• a fruit smoothie made with water or a low-protein dairy alternative, such as rice milk
• homemade fruit juice popsicles