Low Protein Diets

What Are They?

Low protein diets are not one of the most commonly talked about diets. Often these diets are for those who suffer from kidney and liver function issues. I have found that eating low protein has helped me out in many ways. As far as weight loss, I had to assume more rigorous exercise than if I ate higher amounts of proteins and less carbs.

With a family history of bone density issues I really had to lay off the high meat content I was consuming. It was also beginning to give me kidney stones. I had to choose between easy diets to lose weight and more complex ones and my health.

I found that low protein diets could really improve your health. There is no one cure all diet. Every one is different and just because high protein diets work for some, it does not mean they work for all. I found that my diet should never consist of more than 8% protein in a day. This would reduce the workload on my liver and kidneys so much.

There are two main sources of protein, animal and vegetable. The animal proteins are complete proteins and are the highest source available. Vegetable proteins are only low proteins and incomplete. When you go on this type of a diet you must cut down in the quantity of foods that contain the highest amounts of protein.

With low protein diets you have to change your way of thinking about food as a whole. The main course that used to be meat is now vegetables. My meat is now the smallest portion on my plate. Soups are rich in milk to keep me full, not meats.

When it comes to my lunch menu I eat only one slice of thin meat and cheese, then add many garnishments to fill up on. This lowers my protein amount to healthier levels. I have found I feel much better from this diet.

Reducing my protein has also reduced my caloric intake. This was wonderful at first for weight loss. As I lost the amount I wanted I had to add some calories with no protein into my diet to maintain my weight. These calories are gained by carbs and should be discussed with a doctor if you are diabetic.

I really like the low protein diet. It really works for weight loss as well as for disease control. I do recommend taking Vitamin B and iron supplements as well as Calcium. When you lower your meat intake you lose your main source to these vitamins and minerals.

The only issue some could have with this type of diet is that if you are very much a meat eater it could be very hard. I really enjoyed the new diet. I found it just as satisfying as my old eating habits, yet I feel much lighter.

Low protein diets should be discussed with a doctor if you have any medical reason to be on it. Each person with medical conditions that can benefit from low protein should get a personalized diet plan from their own doctor that takes in the medications and other individual issue that may be present.

Review by Adam Kleen