How to cook for customers with PKU

Join Chef Mattern on July 17th and learn how to cook for patience with PKU

The main phenylketonuria treatment is a strict diet with very limited intake of phenylalanine, which is mostly found in protein-rich foods. Doctors used to believe it was OK for a person with PKU to stop the diet in adolescence, but today, doctors recommend sticking to the diet for life.

A safe amount of phenylalanine differs for each person. Your doctor will determine a safe amount through regular review of diet records, growth charts and blood levels of phenylalanine. Frequent blood tests will monitor PKU levels as they change over time, especially during childhood growth spurts and pregnancy. In general, the idea is to consume only the amount of phenylalanine that's necessary for normal growth and body processes, but no more.

Which foods to avoid
Because the amount of phenylalanine adults can safely eat is so low, it's crucial they avoid all high-protein foods, including:

Milk
Eggs
Cheese
Nuts
Soybeans
Beans
Chicken
Steak and other beef products
Fish
Chocolate
Peas
Children and adults should also avoid foods, including many diet sodas, and medications made with aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal). Aspartame, found in many artificial sweeteners, releases phenylalanine when digested.

Adults and children with PKU also have to limit foods, such as:

Pasta
Rice
Bread
Cookies
Certain fruits and vegetables
Too much of a good thing can sometimes be harmful. Even if you're eating approved foods, eating too many at one time can be dangerous. Consider the total amount of phenylalanine in all the foods you eat when planning your diet

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