Diet for Phenylketonuria

The diet for PKU is important to control the intake of phenylalanine is present, especially in protein-rich foods such as meat, fish or eggs. Treating the disease is important because this excess amino acid in patients with phenylketonuria causes difficulties in mental development.

It is important to read the labels of processed foods as a sweetener aspartame contains phenylalanine, for example.

The diet for PKU is necessary to be aware of the amount of phenylalanine which may be eaten each day as it varies according to the age and weight:

• Newborn at 6 months : 20 to 70 mg / kg body per day;
• Between 7 months and 1 year : 15 to 50 mg / kg body per day;
• 1 to 4 years of age : 15 to 40 mg / kg body per day;
• 4 to 7 years of age : 15 to 35 mg / kg body per day;
• 7 to 15 years old : 15 to 30 mg / kg body per day and
• 15 onwards : 10 to 30 mg / kg body per day.

Patients with phenylketonuria may ingest phenylalanine, but always being careful not to exceed your daily needs. Thus, no commitment the motor and cognitive development.

Diet menu for fecilcetonuria

The menu diet must be customized for phenylketonuria and prepared by a nutritionist because it is highly specific and has to take into account the patient's age, the amount of phenylalanine allowed and the quantity of protein necessary for the patient.

Sample typical menu for a child 3 years old with PKU:

Tolerance: phenylalanine 300 mg / day

MENU	NUMBER OF phenylalanine
Breakfast
300 ml of specific formula	60 mg
3 tablespoons of cereal	15 mg
60 g canned peach	9 mg
Lunch
230 ml of specific formula	46 mg
Half a slice of bread with low protein content	7 mg
A teaspoon of jam	0
40 g of cooked carrots	13 mg
25 g apricot preserves	6 mg
Snack
4 slices of peeled apple	4 mg
10 crackers	18 mg
Specific formula	46 mg
Dinner
Specific formula	46 mg
Half cup of batter with low protein content	5 mg
2 tablespoons tomato sauce	16 mg
2 tablespoons of cooked green beans	9 mg
TOTAL	300 mg

Phenylketonuria is a genetic disease that identifies baby, so usually the patient with phenylketonuria is accompanied early on by a nutritionist or gastroenterologist doctor indicating the type of power to follow.