– Here are some examples: Foods NOT ALLOWED in Foods TO LIMIT in LEU- ♦ Package of crackers has 1.2 grams (g) of protein LEU-restricted meals restricted meals • Cheese & dairy • Breast milk & infant formula • 1.2 g x 70 mg = 84 mg LEU • Soy milk & soy products • Bread ♦ Canned mixed vegetables have 1 g of protein • Dried beans & peas • Crackers • 1 g x 50 mg = 50 mg LEU • Eggs • Fruit ♦ 1 fruit cup of mixed fruit has 0.3 g protein • Fish & other seafood • Fruit juices • Meat • Low-protein cereals • 0.3 g x 40 = 12 mg LEU • Nuts • Popcorn Remember, food labels may use “rounded” figures, so this • Nut butters • Potato chips calculation is only an estimate. • Poultry • Special low-protein foods • For greatest accuracy, weigh foods on a scale that reads in • Seeds • Vegetables grams. If a scale is not available, use approved measuring cups • Tofu • Vegetable juices and spoons for measuring portion sizes. Table 2 lists equivalent measurements, and Table 3 provides metric conversions. • Other references may use 60 mg LEU as a way to estimate TIPS milligrams of LEU for all food groups. Again, this is not an • Keep a list of your individualized goals (set by you and your exact measure but can be used as well. health care team) on the inside front cover of this guide (write in pencil). • The amount of LEU can be calculated using milligrams (mg) estimated from the protein content of food. • How do you know if products are LEU-free by reading the label? – A label may state that a food contains “0” protein. The zero or “0” is a rounded figure, and the product may contain up to 0.49 gram of protein per serving. Check with your dietitian or look to see if any of the ingredients may contain LEU. • How do you estimate the amount of LEU in a food if you only know the protein content? – There are approximately 70 mg LEU in each gram of protein for breads and cereals, 50 mg of LEU in each gram of protein from vegetables, and 40 mg LEU in each gram of protein from fruits. 6 7