Kidney Disease: Getting the Right Amount of Protein
Your body needs protein to build and repair muscles and bones. But as the body uses protein, a waste product (blood urea nitrogen or BUN) is produced. If your kidneys can’t filter wastes from your blood, the BUN level increases. If the level gets too high, you can become sick. Because of this, you need to control the amount of protein you eat each day. Use this handout to help you.
One portion (3 to 4 ounces) of fish, chicken, or red meat is about the size of a deck of playing cards.
You know how many grams of protein to eat, but most food portions are measured in ounces. Use the chart below to help determine the protein content of some common foods.
Chicken breast | 3–4 ounces | 21–28 grams |
Chicken thigh | 2–21/2 ounces | 14–18 grams |
Fish | 3 ounces | 21 grams |
Pork chop | 2–21/2 ounces | 14–18 grams |
Roast beef | 3 ounces | 21 grams |
Steak | 3–4 ounces | 21–28 grams |
Hamburger | 3–4 ounces | 21–28 grams |
Eggs | 1 egg | 7 grams |
Cheese | 1 ounce | 7 grams |
If You Eat Too Much ProteinEating too much protein may cause the following: | If You Eat Too Little ProteinEating too little protein may cause the following: Muscle loss, weakness Fatigue Weight loss Slower wound healing
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