Protein is essential for the proper function of the body, growth and maintance of body muscles. Protein in the diet is absolutely required at any age. Proteins are found in high amounts in animal-based diets and also plant-based foods such as legumes and nuts.
There are health conditions when low protein foods consumption is advised. An example is when one has kidney disease. The function of kidneys is to purify blood from waste products such as byproducts (urea, phosphates) of protein metabolism. Kidney malfunction causes the accumulation of such protein waste products in the blood, which results in secondary health disorders (fatigue and reduced apetite).
To lower the accumulation of protein waste products in the body or as part of low protein diet regime for other purposes, raw vegetables and fruits are good alternative sources of low protein. Oils (for example canola, olive) have zero protein content.
List of Low Protein Foods
| Protein sources | Protein content (g/ 100g foood) |
|---|---|
| Canola oil | 0 |
| Sesame oil | 0 |
| Olive oil | 0 |
| Apple, raw, with skin | 0.28 |
| Pears, raw | 0.36 |
| Seaweed, agar, raw | 0.54 |
| Papayas, raw | 0.61 |
| Carrots, baby, raw | 0.64 |
| Cucumber, with peel, raw | 0.65 |
| Radish, raw | 0.68 |
| Celery, raw | 0.69 |
| Tomatoes, red, ripe, canned, whole, regular pack | 0.8 |
| Tangerines, (mandarin oranges), raw | 0.81 |
| Grapes, muscadine, raw | 0.81 |
| Chicory, witlof, raw | 0.9 |
| Sauerkraut, canned, solids and liquids | 0.91 |
| Tomatoes, red, ripe, canned, stewed | 0.91 |
| Carrots, raw | 0.93 |
| Carrot juice, canned | 0.95 |
| Plums, dried (prunes), stewed, without added sugar | 0.96 |
| Carambola (starfruit), raw | 1.04 |
| Oranges, California or Valencia, raw | 1.04 |
| Onions, raw | 1.10 |
| Pumpkin, canned, without salt | 1.10 |
| Breadfruit, raw | 1.07 |
| Kiwi fruit, green, raw | 1.14 |
| Cabbage, chinese (pe-tsai), raw | 1.2 |
| Endive, raw | 1.25 |
| Sweet potato, canned, syrup pack, drained solids | 1.28 |
| Plantains, raw | 1.3 |
| Parsnips, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt | 1.32 |
| Mountain yam, hawai, raw | 1.34 |
| Lettuce, butterhead (includes boston and bibb types), raw | 1.35 |
| Sweet potato, cooked, boiled, without skin | 1.37 |
| Blackberries, raw | 1.39 |
| Currants, red and white, raw | 1.40 |
| Chicory roots, raw | 1.40 |
| Beans, snap, green, frozen, cooked, boiled, drained without salt | 1.49 |
| Mushrooms, chanterelle, raw | 1.49 |
| Cabbage, chinese (pak-choi), cooked, boiled, drained, without salt | 1.56 |
| Mushrooms, shiitake, cooked, without salt | 1.56 |
| Cereals, QUAKER, corn grits, instant, plain, prepared with water | 1.61 |
| Beets, raw | 1.61 |
| Okra, frozen | 1.69 |
| Bamboo shoots, canned, drained solids | 1.72 |
| Ginger root, raw | 1.82 |
| Cereals, QUAKER, Instant Oatmeal, apples and cinnamon, prepared with boiling water | 1.82 |
| Potatoes, boiled, cooked in skin, flesh, without salt | 1.87 |
| Beans, snap, green or yellow, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt | 1.89 |
| Kale, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt | 1.9 |
| Avocado, raw | 1.96 |
| Cauliflower, raw | 1.98 |
| Puddings, rice, ready-to-eat | 2 |
| Puddings, tapioca, ready-to-eat | 2 |
| Purslane, raw | 2.03 |
| Potato, with skin, raw | 2.05 |
| Drumstick (Moringa) pods, raw | 2.10 |
| Beet greens, raw | 2.20 |
| Passion-fruit, (granadilla), purple, raw | 2.20 |
| Rowal, (Pangium edule), raw | 2.30 |
| Arugula, raw | 2.58 |
| Bamboo shoots, raw | 2.60 |
| Peas, edible-podded, raw | 2.80 |
| Broccoli, raw | 2.82 |
| Spinach, raw | 2.86 |
| Kale, raw | 2.92 |
| Cauliflower, green, raw | 2.95 |
| Mushrooms, raw | 3.09 |