Low Phenylalanine Foods
- Guava sauce, cooked (0.001g) Guavas, strawberry, raw (0.001g)
- Coffee, brewed from grounds, prepared with tap water, decaffeinated (0.003g) Puddings, lemon, dry mix, regular (0.003g)
- Apples, canned, sweetened, sliced, drained, unheated (0.005g) Applesauce, canned, sweetened, with salt (0.005g)
What foods contain phenylketonuria?
A strict diet limited in phenylalanine is the main treatment for PKU. Phenylalanine is found in most protein-containing foods such as milk, eggs, cheese, nuts, soybeans, chicken, beef, pork, beans and fish.
Why is diet important in treating PKU?
A low-protein diet is the main treatment for phenylketonuria (PKU). This is because people who have PKU lack an enzyme to properly process the amino acid phenylalanine, a part of protein. Phenylalanine is present in all protein foods and in some nonprotein foods, such as soda pop and artificial sweeteners.
What do children with PKU eat?
The PKU diet includes foods that are low in protein, such as fruits and vegetables, as well as low protein products made especially for people with PKU, such as low protein bread and pasta. A special medical food that contains other amino acids but no phenylalanine is a critical part of the PKU diet.
What foods are low in phenylalanine? – Related Questions
What foods can PKU patients not eat?
People with PKU must avoid foods that are high in protein like meat, fish, poultry, dairy, soy, legumes (dried beans) or nuts. Some fruits and vegetables are higher in protein than others. PHE is in almost everything except sugar, salt, oil, and water. Thankfully, many fruits and vegetables are naturally low in PHE.
How do PKU patients get protein?
Today, the major source of dietary protein for those with PKU consists of mixtures of synthetic AA devoid of phe and a small amount of dietary protein from fruits and vegetables to provide phe.
What candy can kids with PKU eat?
6 and candy such as lollipops, gumdrops, jellybeans, or life savers, popsicles without ice cream pudding or gelatin are also OK, Koolaid (regular- not with Nutrasweet).
What happens if someone with PKU eat protein?
A dangerous buildup of phenylalanine can develop when a person with PKU eats protein-rich foods, such as milk, cheese, nuts or meat, or grains such as bread and pasta, or aspartame, an artificial sweetener.
Can someone with PKU eat bananas?
Fruits: Most fresh or frozen fruits are low in phenylalanine, with the exception of raisins, which are high and should be limited, and bananas and honeydew melon, which are considered medium phenylalanine fruits. Keep your portion of these to half a cup and eat them in moderation.
Can PKU eat fruit?
Most fresh, frozen, dried or canned fruit do not need to be counted in a low protein diet for PKU, as in normal quantities most fruits only contain a small amount of phenylalanine. If eaten in very large quantities they may cause the blood phe to rise.
Can PKU eat sugar?
In PKU, protein is restricted and carbohydrates, including sugar, is added. Sodium may also be higher in the PKU diet due to the use of processed foods (shelf-stable items and medical foods).
Can PKU eat rice?
This diet is highly restrictive, they are unable to eat many foods including meat, dairy, eggs, wheat, rice and other grains, nuts and soy.
How much protein does a PKU need daily?
For children with PKU, the prescribed target total protein intake was 3 g/kg/day (2) and median natural protein intake at weaning was 5 g/day (range: 3–7 g/day).
Does PKU affect weight?
Thus, PKU patients tend to consume a diet enriched in carbohydrates which could predispose to obesity. Studies in the 1980s and 1990s demonstrated that school-age phenylketonuria (PKU) patients have a higher mean body weight compared to a control population.
What proteins treat phenylketonuria?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug sapropterin (Kuvan) for the treatment of PKU . The drug may be used in combination with a PKU diet.
Can phenylketonuria be cured naturally?
There is no cure for PKU, but treatment can prevent intellectual disabilities and other health problems. A person with PKU should receive treatment at a medical center that specializes in the disorder.
Can you drink alcohol with PKU?
Having PKU does not mean that alcohol is off limits, it’s just important to be aware of the amount and type of alcohol you choose to drink and most importantly that you drink responsibly.
Does PKU affect memory?
Decreased intelligence is linked with impairments in higher-order cognitive functions, including executive functions [15] and attention [16]. In particular, various studies have reported impaired working memory performance in patients with PKU [5, 11].
Does PKU qualify as a disability?
In order to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits due to a diagnosis of phenylketonuria, you must be able to prove that your condition prevents you from performing any type of substantial gainful work activity.
Does PKU affect mental health?
After all, PKU is a rare, genetic disorder of amino acid metabolism identified at birth by pediatricians and treated by geneticists. But, PKU is also a disorder that, if left untreated, leads to severe behavioral difficulties and ultimately mental retardation.
