You've probably heard of high-protein diets that emphasize a low carbohydrate intake, including the Atkins Diet and The Zone. Not surprisingly, the other side of that equation --- a low-protein diet --- usually involves a higher number of carbohydrates, thanks to low-protein foods like pasta, grains and breads. Low-protein diets attempt to fuel you with carbs and avoid the cholesterol and fat often present in high-protein diets. Before you try it, check with your doctor to make sure it won't interfere with any of your current health conditions.
About Protein
Dietary protein is composed of a string of amino acids. These amino acids help build the cells that make up your skin and muscles. Your body depends on protein for growth, repair and general maintenance. You get protein from the food you eat, but not all proteins are created equal. "Complete" proteins contain a total of nine amino acids, while "incomplete" proteins contain eight or fewer.
Dietary Guidelines
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, there is no singular answer as to how much protein you need. The Institute of Medicine applies a calculation based on your weight, recommending 0.8g of protein for every 1kg you weigh. It estimates this to be about 64g of protein for a 160-lb. person. Most adults on a 2,000-calorie diet already get about 75g of protein, leaving room for a protein reduction.
Uses
According to Dr. Frank Jackson of Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology, low-protein diets are usually prescribed for people with liver disease or kidney disease because their organs can't process high-protein foods properly. Eating too many high-protein foods can flood these organs with waste products they cannot dispose of. Depending on the degree of impairment, that buildup of waste products could reach toxic levels.
Low-Protein Foods
According to Dr. Jackson, low-protein foods include vegetables, fruits, pasta, bread, cereal and sugars. A sample low-protein meal might include a turkey sandwich with a piece of fruit, or a lean hamburger with white rice and vegetables. Surprisingly, many fatty condiments, such as mayonnaise, butter and gravy, contain little protein. Dr. Jackson notes that a 1-oz. serving of meat contains approximately 7g of protein. You should limit meat on a low-protein diet.
Considerations
If you want to lower the amount of protein you take in, make sure the protein you do eat is complete, containing the full number of essential amino acids. According to MedlinePlus, complete proteins come from animal source foods such as meat, poultry and dairy products. Plant-based proteins that come from grains, nuts and beans are usually incomplete. One notable exception is the soybean, the only complete plant-based protein.
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