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

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.

Why Is A Low-Protein Diet Important?

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.

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.