Low-Protein Renal Diet Meal Planning

A person with kidney disease or chronic renal insufficiency can use the low-protein renal diet to control protein intake. Following this diet involves careful research and planning to determine how much protein is in the foods you eat on a daily basis. Sticking to the plan can help you to reduce the workload of your kidneys and slow the progression of kidney disease.

Protein Intake

Your doctor or renal dietitian can help you determine your daily protein intake. The American Association of Kidney Patients reports that the ideal daily protein intake for someone with kidney disease is 0.6 g per kg. This means that a woman who weighs 120 lbs. would be able to eat 32.7 g of protein per day. Someone who weighs 200 lbs. would be able to eat 54.6 g of protein per day. Once you have determined how much protein you should consume each day, you can learn about the protein content of foods and pick the items you want to eat each day.

Food Research

When you start a low-protein renal diet, you need to research your favorite foods to determine their protein content. Red meats, poultry and fish typically contain high levels of protein, so you may need to eat smaller servings or eat these foods less often to reduce your protein intake. For example, 3 oz. of roasted chicken (without skin) contains 23.06 grams of protein, according to the USDA Nutrient Database. Eating only 2 oz. of roasted chicken would reduce the protein content to just 15.38 g. Choose fruits, vegetables and starches without high levels of protein to create a nutritious meal.

Menu Development

Once you have determined the protein content of the foods you eat most often, you can develop a weekly menu that helps you keep track of your protein intake. In addition to meats, eggs, nuts, legumes and dairy products typically have high levels of protein, so eat small servings of these foods or avoid eating them more than a few times per week. Round out your menu with plenty of fruits, vegetables and starches. If your doctor or renal dietitian has asked you to limit your consumption of potassium, sodium or phosphorus, choose food that have low levels of these minerals in addition to low levels of protein.

Diet Adjustments

You may need to adjust your diet based on the results of kidney function tests or on the advice of a medical professional. Creatinine, which is a waste product that is produced when the body breaks down proteins, can build up in the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly. High creatinine levels can indicate that you need to further reduce your protein intake. If your kidney disease progresses to the point where you need hemodialysis, your doctor may ask you to increase your protein intake. This helps to replace protein that is lost during the dialysis process.