Formula | Food |
- Formula provides protein (with no phenylalanine), which is safe for children with PKU
- Formula takes the place of high-protein foods such as meat and dairy products
| - In addition to formula, the diet includes foods that are low in protein (low in phenylalanine)
- Count protein from food using guidelines below
- The amount of grams is determined individually for each patient
|
Low-protein foods - No limit |
Fruits |
- Almost protein free – No limit
- All fruits – Fresh or canned
- Offer 3 to 4 times/day
- Examples – Apple, orange, pear, peach, melon, banana, pineapple, nectarine, berries, plum, kiwi, mango, grapefruit, clementine, plantain, fruit cocktail, applesauce, grapes
|
Vegetables |
- Most are low in protein – No limit
- Examples – Carrot, celery, cucumber, lettuce, onion, beet, cabbage, green pepper, red pepper, zucchini, asparagus, cauliflower, squash, mushrooms, broccoli, green beans, wax beans, artichokes, eggplant, spinach, tomato
|
Special low-protein foods |
- Very low protein – No limit
- Order from Cambrooke Foods, Dietary Specialties, Loprofin, PKU Perspectives
- Examples – Pasta, rice, bread, bagel, cereal, broth, cookies, snacks, peanut butter, cheese, prepared foods such as pizza, burgers, nuggets
|
Other foods |
- Contain sugar and fat, but no protein – Add extra calories
- Examples:
- Beverages – Soda, Tang, lemonade, Kool-Aid, Hi C, Gatorade, Sunny Delight, apple juice, cranberry juice
- Fats – Butter, margarine, vegetable oil, mayonnaise, salad dressing
- Other – Nondairy creamer, jelly, jam, sugar, maple syrup, popsicle, Italian ice, sorbet, Hunts lemon pudding, marshmallow, candy such as Starbursts, Skittles
|
Medium-protein foods – Need to count protein |
Bread and cereal products |
- When reading food labels, look for foods that have 2 grams of protein or less (in a serving)
- Examples:
- Breakfast foods – Toast, bagel, English muffin, waffle, pancake, cereal, small muffin, donut
- Lunch and dinner foods – Bread, pita, roll, tortilla, rice, pasta
- Snack foods – Potato chips, corn chips, rice cakes, Goldfish, crackers, popcorn, cookies
|
Starchy vegetables |
- These vegetables have more protein than other vegetables (approximately 2 grams of protein in a small serving)
- Examples – Corn, peas, potato, sweet potato, French fries, onion rings
|
High-protein foods – Do not eat |
- These foods have too much protein:
- Meat, chicken, fish
- Dairy products including milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream
- Eggs
- Nuts including peanut butter
- Seeds
- Vegetarian sources of protein including soy, tofu, legumes (beans), split peas, hummus
|