What are some low protein foods?

January 3, 2026 •

3 min read

According to Healthline, individuals on a low protein diet typically restrict their intake to 4-8% of daily calories, translating to 20-50 grams per day depending on caloric needs. For people needing to manage their protein intake due to certain health conditions, focusing on specific food groups is key to maintaining a balanced diet.

Quick Summary

A low protein diet emphasizes low-protein foods like fruits, vegetables, and grains while limiting high-protein sources. Such dietary changes are necessary for managing certain medical conditions under a doctor's supervision. Careful planning is required to avoid nutritional deficiencies.

Key Points

Low Protein Fruits: Most fruits like apples, berries, and peaches are naturally low in protein and rich in vitamins and fiber.
Low Protein Vegetables: Focus on vegetables with minimal protein, such as leafy greens, cucumbers, and carrots.
Grains and Starches: Refined grains like white rice, white bread, and pasta generally have lower protein content than whole-grain alternatives.
Medical Supervision is Key: A low protein diet should only be followed under the guidance of a doctor or dietitian, especially for managing conditions like kidney disease.
High Protein Foods to Limit: Reduce or avoid meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes, nuts, and seeds to control protein intake.
Meal Planning Focus: Build meals around low-protein staples like fruits, vegetables, and refined starches, using high-protein items as small side dishes.

Understanding a Low Protein Diet

A low protein diet is not about eliminating protein entirely, but about reducing the amount consumed. This is often recommended for individuals with specific health conditions, such as kidney or liver disease, where the body's ability to process protein is impaired. For healthy individuals, a low-protein diet is generally not recommended and should only be undertaken with medical supervision to avoid potential nutritional deficiencies, such as muscle loss or poor immune function. By focusing on foods naturally low in protein, you can create a varied and satisfying meal plan.

Low Protein Fruits

Most fruits are naturally low in protein, making them an excellent staple of a low protein diet. Fruits are also rich in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, contributing to overall health.

Apples: A large apple contains approximately 1 gram of protein and is a great source of fiber.
Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries are very low in protein and packed with vitamins.
Pears: One medium pear provides about 1 gram of protein and is rich in dietary fiber.
Peaches and Nectarines: These stone fruits contain around 1 gram of protein per medium fruit and are full of vitamins.
Citrus Fruits: Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes are hydrating and contain negligible protein.

Low Protein Vegetables

Many vegetables are also naturally low in protein, particularly leafy greens and water-rich varieties. Some starchy vegetables, like potatoes, have slightly higher protein content and should be consumed in moderation.

Lettuce and Spinach: Leafy greens are extremely low in protein and offer a host of vitamins and minerals.
Cucumbers: Mostly water, cucumbers are a perfect low-protein addition to salads and snacks.
Carrots: A good source of Vitamin A, carrots contain very little protein.
Mushrooms: These vegetables are low in protein and calories, making them a great versatile ingredient.
Onions and Garlic: Used for flavoring, these vegetables contain minimal protein.

Low Protein Grains and Starches

When choosing grains, refined varieties and specialty low-protein options are typically better choices than high-protein whole grains. Always check labels, as protein content can vary.

Rice: White rice is a good low-protein option.
Pasta and Bread: Refined white pasta and bread are lower in protein than their whole-wheat counterparts.
Wheat Starch: This product is specially formulated to be very low in protein and is often used in low protein baking.

Comparison of Common Low Protein Food Groups

To help visualize the difference, here is a comparison table of typical protein ranges per serving for various food categories.


Food Category	Examples	Protein per Serving (Approximate)
Fruits	Apples, berries, citrus	0-1 grams
Most Vegetables	Leafy greens, cucumbers, carrots	0-2 grams
White Rice & Refined Grains	White rice, white bread, pasta	1-4 grams
Starchy Vegetables	Potatoes, corn	2-4 grams
Healthy Fats & Oils	Olive oil, avocados	Minimal protein

Incorporating Low Protein Foods into Your Diet

Successfully navigating a low protein diet requires thoughtful meal planning. Instead of centering meals around high-protein items, shift the focus to low-protein alternatives.

Breakfast: Start the day with a bowl of measured cereal topped with berries and low-protein milk alternatives like almond or coconut milk. Toast made from low-protein bread with jam is another good option.
Lunch: A large vegetable salad with a low-protein dressing is an excellent choice. You can add a small, medically-approved portion of protein for balance.
Dinner: Build a plate around low-protein carbohydrates like white rice or pasta, and fill the rest with a generous serving of cooked vegetables. Small amounts of lean protein can be included based on your specific dietary needs.
Snacks: Snack on fresh fruits, air-popped popcorn, or low-protein crackers.

For more detailed, professionally vetted information, consider consulting resources like Healthline's comprehensive guide on low-protein diets.

Conclusion

A low protein diet is a valuable and necessary dietary approach for individuals with certain medical conditions, most notably kidney and liver diseases. It relies heavily on naturally low-protein foods, including a wide array of fruits, most vegetables, and refined grains. While requiring careful planning to ensure nutritional needs are met, a diverse and enjoyable eating plan can be created. It is crucial to approach this diet under the guidance of a healthcare professional or registered dietitian to prevent nutritional deficiencies and address any specific health requirements. Proper management and knowledge of low protein food sources allow for effective dietary control and improved health outcomes for those who need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Foods low in protein include most fruits (like apples, berries, and peaches), many vegetables (such as leafy greens, cucumbers, and carrots), and refined grains (like white rice and pasta).

The fruits with the lowest protein content are typically those with high water content, such as grapes, watermelon, and certain citrus fruits like lemons and limes. Apples, pears, and berries also have very low protein levels.

Yes, a vegetarian diet can be low in protein, but it requires careful selection. Many plant-based protein sources like legumes, nuts, and seeds are high in protein and should be limited. A low-protein vegetarian diet would focus more on fruits, low-protein vegetables, and refined grains.

No, a low protein diet is not recommended for most healthy individuals. Protein is an essential macronutrient, and restricting it can lead to health problems like muscle loss, impaired immune function, and nutrient deficiencies. It should only be done under medical supervision.

Low protein breakfast ideas include measured cereal with low-protein milk alternatives and fruit, or toast made from low-protein bread with jam. You can also make pancakes using low-protein flour.

Foods high in protein to be avoided or limited on a low-protein diet include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes (beans, peas, lentils), soy products, nuts, and seeds.

While most fruits and vegetables are low in protein, some exceptions exist. Vegetables like potatoes, corn, and Brussels sprouts have a slightly higher protein content than others. Likewise, certain fruits such as avocado and guava contain more protein than many other fruits.