Diet : Therapeutic Diets : Low Protein diet

Protein is an essential nutrient. Protein contains 16% of Nitrogen, the body eliminates urea in the form of urine. A healthy body weight of 60 kgs needs around 60 gms of protein per day. A low protein diet is a diet in which the intake of protein is reduced. Low protein diet is prescribed for patients with liver or kidney disease, in order to lessen the protein load on the kidney or liver.

Low protein diet and liver disease:

Proteins are metabolized by liver and digested, then ammonia produced is converted to urea a waste product and excreted out. In liver damage proteins are not metabolized properly and a nitrogen metabolite ammonia builds up in the blood stream and this may result in liver diseases or hepatic encephalopathy. But proteins should not be eliminated completely from the diet. Hence include low protein diet in liver diseases.

Low protein diet and kidney disease:

When kidneys are not functioning properly a low protein diet is prescribed. In case of impaired kidney function the metabolite urea builds up in the blood and is not excreted outside and this affects kidney.As to decrease load on kidneys a low protein diet is prescribed.

Low protein diet and tyrosinemia:

Tyrosinemia is a inborn error of metabolism. The body cannot effectively breakdown the amino acid tyrosine. Hence there is increase in concentration of tyrosine in blood. A low protein diet is required in management of tyrosinemia.

Low protein foods:

Bread, oatmeal, apple, banana, cauliflower, cabbage, tomatoes, corn, pie, mixed grain, cereals, cheese, lettuce, rice, pasta.

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Diet : Therapeutic Diets : Gluten Free diet

Gluten is a protein and mostly it is found in wheat .It consists of proteins gliadin and glutenin. This gives elasticity structure to the wheat dough. Glutenin protein gives the elastic properties to gluten. A diet completely free of the ingredients derived from gluten containing cereals. Gluten free diet is required for celiac disease patients. When gluten comes in contact with small intestine some people cannot tolerate it and this is known as celiac disease. This interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. When people with this condition eat foods containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging the lining of the small intestine. And when the small intestine is damaged the body is unable to absorb the nutrients. This can lead to malnutrition and can develop anemia or osteoporosis. Oats ,rye and barley also contains gluten.In today’s world gluten free commercial diets are available in the market and even many foods are naturally free from gluten.

Tips to follow Gluten free diet:

• Avoid cereals containing Gluten.

• While shopping check for the gluten free brands mentioned .As many of the grocery stores carry this. Look for gluten free labeling.

• Be careful when you go to restaurant, choose gluten free menu.

• All wheat free diets are not same as gluten free diets. As rye, oats and barley also contain gluten.

Foods to be eaten:

• Sago

• Rice

• Jam

• Peanut butter

• Honey

• Fish

• Eggs

• Cheese

• Tea

• Sugar

• Soups not added with thickening agents as flours

• Rice pan cakes

• Nuts

• Fresh fruits and juices

• Tortillas

• Curd

• Plain popcorns

• Potato

• Wine vinegar

• Fresh herbs

• Corn flour

• Corn tacos

• Pulses Vegetable oils.

Foods to be avoided:

• Cereals – wheat, barley, rye and oats.

• Wheat bread.

• Roti

• Rye bread

• Barley drinks

• Bread crumbs

• Semolina

• Bread rolls

• Pizza

• Pancake

• Pasta

• Cakes

• Muffins

• Pastries

• Cookies

• Noodles

• Macaroni

• Spaghetti

• Malt

• Rusk

• Wheat germ

Some of the gluten sources can be hidden. So read the labels while you shop. Some of the examples are.

• Mustard powder

• Mustard sauce

• Pickles

• Alcoholic drinks

• Farina

• Soups where sometimes flours are added as thickening agents

• Seitan

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Diet : Therapeutic Diets : Low Fat diet

A diet low in fat is called low fat diet. Some dietary fat is actually necessary. In certain medical conditions the body cannot tolerate much fat. So, a low fat diet may help people with these medical conditions. Some of the medical conditions where low fat diet is prescribed is Gall bladder disease, Delayed stomach emptying, Fatty liver and malbsorption syndrome.

Gall bladder secrets bile which helps to break down and absorb fat. When Gall bladder diseases or Gall stones are present there is not enough bile secreted or no bile produced by the gall bladder and so fat from food cannot be digested properly and this may cause diarrhea. A low fat diet allows your gall bladder adequate rest. Due to excess of cholesterol in the bile Gall stones are formed.

Gastroparesis is also known as delayed stomach emptying. In this disease the stomach empties food into intestine very slowly. When high amount of fats are present in foods we eat then this delays stomach emptying and cause gastroparesis. So low fat diet is good for gastroparesis.

Malabsorption and low fat diet: steatorrhea which is due to malabsorption of fat , where more than 6% of dietary fat is excreted in stool. In pancreas and small intestine diseases, patients have trouble in absorbing nutrients from diet, that include fat. A low fat diet helps may help to control symptoms.

Fat is normally not stored in liver. Due to number of reasons fat may accumulate in the liver and this may damage to liver. A low fat diet may be helpful.

List of low fat foods:

Non stick cooking spray, puddings with skim milk, soy milk, Low fat yogurt, whole wheat pasta, Brown rice, Whole wheat bread, Popcorn, Millets, Muesli, Whole Rye, Whole wheat tortillas, Oat meal, Black beans, Chick peas, Green peas, Lentils, Lima beans, Kidney beans, White beans, soy beans, Navy beans, Egg whites, Lean pork Lean lamb, skinless chicken, Liver, Skinless turkey, Rabbit, sea foods ,fresh vegetables and fresh fruits, Low fat tofu.

Tips To Follow Low Fat Diet:

• Avoid fried foods.

• Avoid carbonated beverages.

• Drink low fat milk or low fat dairy products.

• Drink plenty of water.

• Avoid alcoholic beverages and stop smoking.

• Increase physical activity.

• Include more number of fruits and vegetables in your diet.

• Substitute one egg with two egg whites.

• Eat lean meat.

• Avoid fried chicken.

• Avoid fast foods.

• Use cooking spray instead of oil.

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