Low Protein Foods
There are quite a few ailments and conditions which would cause the need for low protein foods, and your doctor will be the one to exact your dietary needs should an issue arise. However, the most convincing reasons for a move toward low protein foods are organ disease and failure. If your liver, kidneys, or other all important parts are not functioning properly, the digestion and absorption of protein causes them to be overworked and thus in greater danger. Protein, though completely necessary to the functions of our healthy body’s, can be our very worst enemy where organ disease is concerned.
There are many low protein foods which can naturally and easily replace our most traditional eating habits. Experts suggest that we exchange our meat portion for our vegetable portion as the main course of each meal. This allows us to keep the meats that we love, but to incorporate a larger amount of easily soluble vegetables to make up the bulk of our meal. Rather than eating 3.5 ounces of chicken breast, you would consume at least one cup of low protein foods such as broccoli and cauliflower, cutting your chicken portion to 1 ounce or less. We still need protein, but too much of it during these trying times could mean the difference between eating at home and being fed at the hospital.
A typical meal assembled of low protein foods might show as follows: 2 ounces of lean burger, such as that derived from the loin portion of the beef. A good choice for your starch might be ½ cup of white rice, unsalted and parboiled. For your vegetable intake, you might incorporate up to ½ cup of green vegetables, such as flash fried spinach leaves or broccoli, along with a small tossed salad. You may use up to 2 tablespoons of standard dressing on your salad, and don’t worry too much about the fat content, as lo-cal dressings often contain a higher concentration of protein. For a nice finish, you can incorporate ½ cup of fruit, such as pineapple, peaches, or pears.
Low protein foods tend to exclude most traditional favorites, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and eggs. Dairy is high in protein, no matter the fat contend, and needs to be avoided when attempting to achieve lowered protein in your body. Avoiding soy, as well, which is a common alternative to dairy milk, you can use non-dairy creamer in your morning cereal. Don’t worry, it’s really not that bad, and you’ll get used to it soon enough. The good thing about requiring low protein foods is that, as long as there are no sugar or diabetes issues, you are all clear for delicious hard candies between meals.