Low carb + Low protein = vegetarian?
Shells918
Posts: 1,070 Member
I went to my diet doctor today, and found out that along with being on a low-carb diet but I know must be on a low-protein diet as well due to my recent kidney failure and damage kidneys. This leaves me with only it seems vegetables to eat. I have never wanted to be a vegetarian, but somehow this is turning me into one. I have started experimenting with cauliflower recipes, and I guess I will have to expand my vegetable repertoire. I am allowed to have 50 g of carbs and 60 g of protein per day. To me this does not sound like a lot, and I will need to make vegetables the main focus of every meal. I have to cut out so much of the things that I love, and it is very overwhelming for me today being the day that I just found out. If anyone else is on this type of program, I would appreciate some words of wisdom, as well as yummy recipes that fall this program! I know I can do this, I just was not expecting to hear that I had to make another significant change in my diet today.
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If your doctor recommended a low carbohydrate and a low protein diet, did s/he also give you a meal plan? If not, would it be possible for you to find a nutritional professional to help you create a meal plan?0
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I'm confused, because the only other option (besides carbs and protein) is fat. Those are the only three options. So are you supposed to drink vegetable oil?
I would have no idea where to start. Maybe some others will be more helpful. My jaw is still hanging open that you were told this.0 -
Yes request a referral to a dietician. You need professional guidance for this unusual type of diet. You need to know what "low" means. Low is different than "none" but you need to know how much. Good luck.0
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60 grams of protein isn't absurdly low- I mean - it's a low for my standards- but I mean if I'm not eating a lot of meat- I can average around 60-80- it wouldn't be that hard for me to make that happen even including chicken.
BUT...
being said- the 50 grams of carbs COUPLED with that 60 g of protein seems absurd- you need to find someone else to talk to- because it's not really that realistic- despite your optimism (which is awesome by the way!!)0 -
The dietician told me to focus on vegetables with meat I.e chicken,fish etc as the side. Use olive oil to cook with instead of spray. I go to a huge metabolic and diet center but the dr and dietician/nutritionist said mine is a difficult case. I can have fat so I can cook my veggies in butter I guess. @ lorrpb - they did tell me low as I originally stated. 50 grams of carbs and 60 of protein. They have to come up with a meal plan special for me bc this is so unusual. Lucky me. When I see the kidney dr I'm hoping he will have some additional guidance.0
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well of course you can have fat- if you aren't getting a lot of protein- and a lot of carbs- the last option is fat.
So- yeah- apparently fat.
good luck with the kidney doctor!!!0 -
50 grams of carbs and 60 grams of protein works out to only 440 calories. You'd need to eat 95 grams of fat just to get to 1200 calories for the day. I'd definately check with your doctor just to clarify if they really want you on that sort of high fat diet or if maybe they'd rather you increase the carbs or protein a bit.
If your doctor is for sure suggesting a high fat diet with those ratios then some of the posts about ketogenic diets might have some meal ideas for you, those are generally high fat/low carb/moderate protein, but people seem to manage it without going vegetarian.
But for sure double check with your doctor first, try and get a referral to a registered dietician or at least more guidance from your doctor on this diet. It sounds really tricky to do this without buttering your avocados.0 -
The dietician told me to focus on vegetables with meat I.e chicken,fish etc as the side. Use olive oil to cook with instead of spray. I go to a huge metabolic and diet center but the dr and dietician/nutritionist said mine is a difficult case. I can have fat so I can cook my veggies in butter I guess. @ lorrpb - they did tell me low as I originally stated. 50 grams of carbs and 60 of protein. They have to come up with a meal plan special for me bc this is so unusual. Lucky me. When I see the kidney dr I'm hoping he will have some additional guidance.
you can also eat delicious things like avocados and nuts0 -
Not only lots of vegetables but lots of non-starchy, leafy, green vegetables. Since you have so much fat to eat each day, it'll be good for you to find some healthy sources of it. One of those is avocado. Another is nuts. Macadamia nuts, for example, are almost all fat. Cheese would be another good food as its fat content is usually higher than its protein and hard cheeses have almost no carbs.
Put all of that together and a really easy meal would be a big salad with leafy greens and some other low carb vegetables, a couple of ounces of protein, cheese and nuts sprinkled on top with a balsamic or creamy (Ranch, blue cheese, etc.) dressing.0 -
With low-carb, low-protein, all that is left is fat for your calories. I looked up recommendations for a kidney-friendly diet and it looks like carbs are to take the place for your calorie needs. The site I linked below only suggests avoiding certain carbs like sugar, candy, and honey.
Kidney Friendly Diet
Also watch the potassium content of your foods.
https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/potassium
Have you been referred to a dietitian to work this all out?
Foods for the Mediterranean diet might be helpful. I big leafy salad with cucumber, feta cheese, and olives, with an olive oil based vinaigrette could be tasty and nutritious.
I once made an apple pie for a friend on dialysis. I had to use pure shortening (no butter), but I was able to make one with all the restrictions he was under.
My mother was on dialysis for years, and then lived many years longer with a kidney transplant. If you ever had to have an organ go on you, the kidney is the simplest to treat. It does mean a regimented lifestyle and I believe you when you say this is all overwhelming.0 -
The dietician told me to focus on vegetables with meat I.e chicken,fish etc as the side. Use olive oil to cook with instead of spray. I go to a huge metabolic and diet center but the dr and dietician/nutritionist said mine is a difficult case. I can have fat so I can cook my veggies in butter I guess. @ lorrpb - they did tell me low as I originally stated. 50 grams of carbs and 60 of protein. They have to come up with a meal plan special for me bc this is so unusual. Lucky me. When I see the kidney dr I'm hoping he will have some additional guidance.
Essentially you could have one meal a day with meat.
By my very very rough guess, a day would be something like this:
~one to two chicken thighs with skin
~veggies like cabbage, swiss chard, romaine, spinach, avocado, okra, cucumbers, green beans, broccoli, yellow squash, zucchini, snow peas, tomatoes, egg plant, bell pepper,
~avocados, butter, sour cream, oils, olives,
Call back to check that you are supposed to be eating ninety (90) grams of fat a day.0 -
I appreciate everyone's feedback. I don't know if they go by the strict numbers of eating 90 grams of fat to compensate for the lack of protein/carbs. And they don't count calories at all. I have. menus from before my kidney problems and they only measured portions. I know I still need a calorie deficit to lose, and the idea of eating that much fat is nauseating.
Today is my first day. I will spend a lot of time in the produce section at the store and getting frozen veggies for the lazy days.
Btw. I have seen a dietitian. She works with my doctor. She told me to make vegetables the highlight of every meal with a little bit of protein on the side. There is no specific meal plan because this is a special case. We will work together to come up with one. I am in a special program with a Weight Loss Center, and go on a regular basis to meet with both metabolic weight loss doctor (the head of the program) and a dietitian. They know what they're doing, And would not do something thats unhealthy. They are affiliated with the top hospital in the state. Yesterday was the first time I'd seen them since I had kidney failure and subsequent kidney damage, which is why they were struggling with my new needs.
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The earlier poster was probably right when she directed you to a keto type diet - there are lots of recipes that you can google for meal ideas for that and there are some low carb and keto groups here on MFP http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/1143-keto who I'm sure would help you out
If you like eggs that might be a good choice for breakfast - maybe make a frittata for breakfast with a couple of eggs and loads of veggies. 2 large eggs have approx 15g protein. If you focus on the fattier cuts of meat then that would keep the protein down. For example chicken thigh with skin versus chicken breast or pork belly versus loin, lamb is often quite fatty compared with lean steak. Use oily fish instead or white fish. You could maybe go meat free at lunch time and substitute cheese which is a bit lower in protein - a good strong cheese will go further taste wise and it won't matter if you use a little less. 0 -
I agree. Keto may work for you. I eat about 70-75% fat with 5% carbs and 20-25% protein. Some keto'ers go as high as 85% fat.
Good luck. 0 -
A higher fat diet really is not bad it can be fun 0
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Thanks everyone! I ate sausage without bread today and an avocado as a snack. I think I can do this.0
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I went to my diet doctor today, and found out that along with being on a low-carb diet but I know must be on a low-protein diet as well due to my recent kidney failure and damage kidneys. This leaves me with only it seems vegetables to eat. I have never wanted to be a vegetarian, but somehow this is turning me into one. I have started experimenting with cauliflower recipes, and I guess I will have to expand my vegetable repertoire. I am allowed to have 50 g of carbs and 60 g of protein per day. To me this does not sound like a lot, and I will need to make vegetables the main focus of every meal. I have to cut out so much of the things that I love, and it is very overwhelming for me today being the day that I just found out. If anyone else is on this type of program, I would appreciate some words of wisdom, as well as yummy recipes that fall this program! I know I can do this, I just was not expecting to hear that I had to make another significant change in my diet today.
Are you low oxalate too?
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I went to my diet doctor today, and found out that along with being on a low-carb diet but I know must be on a low-protein diet as well due to my recent kidney failure and damage kidneys. This leaves me with only it seems vegetables to eat. I have never wanted to be a vegetarian, but somehow this is turning me into one. I have started experimenting with cauliflower recipes, and I guess I will have to expand my vegetable repertoire. I am allowed to have 50 g of carbs and 60 g of protein per day. To me this does not sound like a lot, and I will need to make vegetables the main focus of every meal. I have to cut out so much of the things that I love, and it is very overwhelming for me today being the day that I just found out. If anyone else is on this type of program, I would appreciate some words of wisdom, as well as yummy recipes that fall this program! I know I can do this, I just was not expecting to hear that I had to make another significant change in my diet today.
@darlswife I know that sounds hard but it is very doable in time.
Over a year ago I gave up all grains and most all sugars as a shotgun approach to manage my pain. Thirty days later my pain was managed well is I just stuck with eating <50 carbs a day in my case. Having lived on carbs for the past 40 years the first two weeks was hellish. For the last year I have been at 5% carbs, 15% and 80% fats.
I do eat eggs and some dairy but not milk. Currently my only regular source of meat is three strips of bacon a day so you can see I am not meat crazy. About 1000 of my 2600-3000 daily calories from vegan coconut oil from Krogers (simple truth organic) and Heavy Whipping Cream (36% butter fat) with about about 500 calories from each.
If you are like my wife it is hard to get the head around living main on fats. Almonds and coconut flakes makes up a lot of my carbs.
There are many ways to do it if you are OK with eggs, cheese, etc. Some where between 3-5 pm I eat at the Huddle House which is 3 fried eggs, 3 strips of bacon and three cups of coffee with 2-3 oz of HWC in each couple that I supply do avoid the sugar in half and half they they stock. My first cup of coffee of the day will have about 500 calories from coconut oil and about 200 from HWC.
My limited options makes it easy because I only count carbs. I do weigh three times daily and log that on the back of junk mail. Keep in mind I started eating this way to manage my pain without dangerous drugs (Enbrel to be specific).
I have about stop eating at pot luck dinners that happen 1-2x weekly but I will eat fish and slaw at a fish fry and a piece of fried chicken. Most meats get cooked with sugar coatings so I have to watch that if I do not want to get knocked out of Nutritional Ketosis which in my case means I have to stay <50 grams of carbs and 70 grams of protein. That means I eat around 2000 calories of fats daily which has improved my blood work numbers in a positive direction.
Anyway you can meet your objective is fine and over time you will get something figured out then you can modify from that point. Best of success. Going very low carb and light on the protein helps improve or fix many diet related heal problems.
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I went to my diet doctor today, and found out that along with being on a low-carb diet but I know must be on a low-protein diet as well due to my recent kidney failure and damage kidneys. This leaves me with only it seems vegetables to eat. I have never wanted to be a vegetarian, but somehow this is turning me into one. I have started experimenting with cauliflower recipes, and I guess I will have to expand my vegetable repertoire. I am allowed to have 50 g of carbs and 60 g of protein per day. To me this does not sound like a lot, and I will need to make vegetables the main focus of every meal. I have to cut out so much of the things that I love, and it is very overwhelming for me today being the day that I just found out. If anyone else is on this type of program, I would appreciate some words of wisdom, as well as yummy recipes that fall this program! I know I can do this, I just was not expecting to hear that I had to make another significant change in my diet today.
Are you low oxalate too?
I don't know what that is.0 -
oxalates are a certain type of salts of oxalic acid that are present in many foods. It is sometimes recommended that people with kidney stones go oxalate lite, although I've seen some competing research.
Would also be nearly impossible for you as many, many veggies are high in oxalates, so it would likely limit your diet even more.0 -
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I went to my diet doctor today, and found out that along with being on a low-carb diet but I know must be on a low-protein diet as well due to my recent kidney failure and damage kidneys. This leaves me with only it seems vegetables to eat. I have never wanted to be a vegetarian, but somehow this is turning me into one. I have started experimenting with cauliflower recipes, and I guess I will have to expand my vegetable repertoire. I am allowed to have 50 g of carbs and 60 g of protein per day. To me this does not sound like a lot, and I will need to make vegetables the main focus of every meal. I have to cut out so much of the things that I love, and it is very overwhelming for me today being the day that I just found out. If anyone else is on this type of program, I would appreciate some words of wisdom, as well as yummy recipes that fall this program! I know I can do this, I just was not expecting to hear that I had to make another significant change in my diet today.
Are you low oxalate too?
I don't know what that is.
Oxalate is a compound in a lot of veggies, mostly dark green, but some others and some fruits. Often when there are kidney or other digestive issues they have a person cut back because it's a common kidney stone cause. (I've been low oxalate since my 20's for stones, but a couple of friends have been low or no oxalate for other kidney or intestinal issues).0 -
oxalates are a certain type of salts of oxalic acid that are present in many foods. It is sometimes recommended that people with kidney stones go oxalate lite, although I've seen some competing research.
Would also be nearly impossible for you as many, many veggies are high in oxalates, so it would likely limit your diet even more.
My stones were calcium oxalate. I haven't had any big ones since I changed my diet. My grandfather also had the same experience. A cousin continued to eat high oxalate and continued to have stones.0 -
catscats222 wrote: »side answer: be a bit careful with metabolic centers
the bottom line for them is PROFITS (and even try to sell you expensive products)
(just something to know) - don't go at it with a trusting blindfold (many people do)
i had a sister get tied up with a bad one and spent over $3,000 in shakes, etc.
6 months after leaving them, she was back to square one (all weight came back)
This place doesn't sell anything. It's part of a hospital. Everything is medically guided. I asked about bars and shakes and my dr told me he's not a big fan.
But I did go to another dr that was a "bar and shake" guy. He got mad when I found the products online for less and stopped purchasing them from him.0 -
I get that you have to be on a low protein diet for your kidneys. Do you have a medical condition that requires you to be low carb as well or is that just to lose weight? Since all you need to lose weight is a calorie deficit, requiring low carb when not needed would unnecessarily complicate your life.
That said, I had a 300 calorie fat bomb two days ago that kept me full for 5 hours which is crazy long for me. Since I'm not low carb, I added maple syrup instead of the Splenda that was called for, but just a little so as to stay in the spirit of the recipe.
http://screwedonstraight.net/keto-diet-peanut-butter-cup-fat-bombs/
Here are more recipes: http://lowcarbediem.com/fat-bombs-recipes-atkins-ketosis/0 -
I do have a condition that requires the low carb. It was the first thing that worked for me in a long time. Adding the low protein is harder. I'll know more after I see my nephrologist in a few weeks. I'm not making myself too crazy right now. I'm leaving for vacation in 3 days, and while I will be careful, I don't know that I'll be going all out.0
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Oh and thank you kshama2001 for the links. The fat bombs look delicious0
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Thanks for the bolded update above. I've been hoping you were getting some guided support. It's meat and veggies for you then, eh? You might try different veggies to make this a little more interesting. Unusual vegetables I have tried include okra (slimy, acquired taste) that was very good grilled with a dill dip, and fennel (tastes a little like licorice).0
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