Low Protein Diet 

Kidney disease is usually a degenerative disease that is often reduced by curtailing the diet. The diet for the kidney is a low protein diet. A low protein diet is usually prescribed so that the body has to work less hard to process these proteins. A low protein diet protects the kidneys from overworking themselves. Excess protein consumption with weakened kidneys can lead to an excess production of urea which would in turn lead to a host of health problems.

A low protein diet consists of diet where animal and vegetable proteins are consumed in moderation.

The low protein diet in kidney disease is easy to maintain with readily available recipes, menus and foods. Let us look at a sample menu of a low protein diet. Breakfast consists of an orange, an egg or an egg substitute, some rice or creamed cereal, with whole wheat bread, a little butter and some milk with a hot beverage. Lunch includes some lean protein like turkey, some vegetable like steamed broccoli or cabbage, one slice of whole wheat bread with a little butter, some fruit juice and some non dairy dessert. Fruit juice with some salt free crackers without any spread could be consumed as a snack. Dinner again has little protein, a little complex carbohydrates and some fruit juice with a little fat. This menu has roughly 8 per cent protein. The aim of a low protein diet is to consume less than 40 grams of protein in a day. If the patient has diabetes or any other chronic condition, this diet needs to be managed keeping in mind the control of sugar. Some patients also need to control sodium and potassium through their food. Occasionally a person who is on a low protein diet can become weak and face malnutrition. He could lose energy. Proper care should be taken about not falling short of the nutrition needed. Read more on kidney stone diet