Foods to Eat on a Low-Protein Diet

Your doctor may have advised you to go on a low-protein diet because of a medical condition such as liver or kidney disease. Maintain your health by knowing which foods to eat, which foods to avoid and how much to consume at every meal. Purchase low-protein vegetable products including bread, pasta, dried beans and rice. Avoid animal-based high-protein foods such as meat, fish, eggs and dairy. Control your portion sizes during each meal to keep overall daily protein intake low and eat up to three-quarters of a cup of a low-protein food per meal.

What and How Much to Eat

Knowing which foods to eat and how much is as important as knowing what to avoid. Head to the fruit and vegetable aisle for healthful, low-protein food choices. Stock up on breads, low-sugar cereals, brown rice and whole-wheat pastas. Your goal is to obtain only 4 percent to 8 percent of your daily food intake from protein. The average person typically consumes up to 15 percent protein.

Portion control is also important when adhering to a low-protein diet. If you plan to eat meat, eat smaller portions so you end up treating it like a side dish instead of a main dish.

Remember, even though bread, pasta and vegetables are your main dishes, they still contain some protein. Limit yourself to smaller amounts. For example, have a half-cup of rice topped with three-quarters of a cup of vegetables. Look for low-protein breads and pastas.

What to Avoid

Although you can still eat foods containing some protein you should reduce your serving sizes as often as possible. Eat up to three ounces of meat per day and reduce or avoid egg consumption.

Limit dairy products because they are high in phosphorous and can cause your blood phosphorous levels to become elevated. Instead, consume milk substitutes or nondairy creamer. Eat cheese sparingly, choosing a stronger cheese to enhance flavors with only a small amount.

Low-Protein Diet Ideas

Some ways to continue eating the foods you love is to cut meat into smaller pieces, such as making kabobs instead of having a whole steak. Another idea is to eat thinly sliced turkey or chicken, then fill sandwiches with alfalfa sprouts and lettuce to add bulk.

Have a robust meal of roasted vegetables in olive oil. Choose a low-protein vegetable such as broccoli. Wash and dice into small pieces. Toss with a tablespoon of olive oil in an oven-safe pan and sprinkle with sea salt. Roast in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes.

Pad your diet with extra heart-healthy fats and oils, such as soybean and sunflower oil. For extra calories include hard candy, jelly, honey and marshmallows.