Many patients on low calorie diets experience hunger. To satisfy this hunger or appetite, low calorie foods such as raw vegetables, dill pickles, broth, black coffee or tea, and other unsweetened or diet beverages should be provided. Water and salt need not be restricted unless there are cardiac complications or edema and the restrictions are ordered by the physician.
Low Protein
As the name implies, this diet is made up of foods that furnish only small amounts of protein and consists largely of carbohydrates and fats. Calories should be high to spare protein. Use foods such as marshmallows, hard candy, and butter liberally. This diet is used in renal diseases associated with nitrogen retention or GI disorders when putrefaction is present. Limited amounts of protein are sometimes advocated in certain kidney diseases, such as chronic nephrotic edema. Low protein diets for renal failure are usually restricted in sodium and potassium, as they are not excreted properly.
In some cases of chronic renal insufficiency, the protein content of the diet is varied, usually between 40 and 60 g per day, so that there will be sufficient complete protein to maintain nitrogen equilibrium. In some metabolic disturbances, such as amino acids in the urine, protein restriction may be of therapeutic value. A sample low protein diet is listed in table 3-4.
Table 3-4.-Sample Low Protein Diet
| BREAKFAST | |
| Fruit or juice | 1 citrus fruit or 1/2 cup other fruit juice (recommended once daily) |
| Cereal | 1 cup whole wheat, cooked |
| Egg | 1 daily |
| Toast | 1 slice |
| Butter or margarine | 1 pat or more |
| Jelly or jam | As desired |
| Coffee | As desired |
| Cream | As desired |
| LUNCH | |
| Soup | 1 bowl, clear |
| Meat | 2 oz |
| Potato | 1 medium, baked |
| Salad | 1/2 cup |
| Fruit | 1 grapefruit or orange |
| Bread | 1 slice |
| Jelly or jam | As desired |
| Butter or margarine | 1 pat |
| Coffee | As desired |
| Hard candy | As desired |