Diet For Low Protein And Low Carbohydrates

Although many diets pit protein against carbohydrates, very few advocate low intakes of both nutrients at the same time. However, since most Americans consume enough protein and more than enough carbohydrates, it's possible to lower your intake of both while remaining at or near the recommended levels.

Protein

Dietary protein consists of amino acids, which your body uses to build more proteins. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, most Americans get enough protein in their diet from sources such as milk, cereal, beans, meat and fish. The recommendations for daily intake vary based on your weight; for every 20 lb. you weigh, you should eat about 8 g of protein. Not all protein is created equal, however -- "complete" protein, like that found in animal source foods, contains all the amino acids your body needs to function. "Incomplete" protein, like that found in vegetables and grains, lacks one or more of these amino acids.

Carbohydrate

Carbohydrates provide your body with energy in the form of sugars and starches. According to the Food and Nutrition Board, your brain is the only organ dependent on carbohydrates to function. The Recommended Dietary Allowance for adults is 130 g every day, derived based on the amount of glucose your brain needs to function properly. Most people, the Board notes, take in far more than this amount.

Low-Protein, Low-Carb Diets

Because low-protein, low-carb diets are relatively rare, you may have trouble finding one recommended by a health professional. One possible exception is the Rosedale Health Plan. Formulated by Dr. Ron Rosedale, the diet recommends healthy fats like those found in nuts, olive oil and avocados, with a low carbohydrate intake and a carefully calculated amount of protein just right for your weight. The diet reduces starch-based carbohydrates like those in bread, potatoes and pasta because these carbs turn to sugar during digestion. Rosedale notes these fast-burning sugars don't provide lasting energy, and they keep your body from burning more efficient sources of energy such as fat. Dr. Joseph Mercola and Dr. Ben Lerner praise Rosedale's approach in their book "Generation XL," noting their shared belief that carbohydrates -- and the insulin they produce within your body -- are the key factor in both weight control and chronic disease prevention.

Low-Protein, Low-Carb Foods

It is difficult to select foods low in both protein and carbohydrates. According to Dr. Frank W. Jackson of Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology, low-protein foods include vegetables, breads, cereal and pasta. Unfortunately, many of these are also high-carb foods. Similarly, many low-carb foods such as meat, fish and eggs are high in protein. Your best bet for low-protein, low-carb foods is non-starchy vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cucumber and cauliflower.

Warning

Always check with your doctor before beginning a diet that severely limits any single food or food group. She may recommend you take a nutritional supplement to ensure you get the right amount of vitamins and minerals, or she may raise concerns about the foods your new diet encourages. You will also want to make sure your new diet does not interact in any harmful way with your currently prescribed medications.