Foods rich in phenylalanine are those that contain many proteins, such as meat, fish and milk and dairy products. People with phenylketonuria have to control the consumption of phenylalanine, as they accumulate this amino acid in the body, which leads to problems such as delays in psychological development and seizures. We are a family owned and operated business.
Phenylketonuria is a congenital disease with no cure, and its treatment is done by avoiding food intake with phenylalanine. It is detected in the heel prick test and early treatment allows children to grow up without further complications.
List of foods rich in phenylalanine
The main foods rich in phenylalanine and which should be removed from the diet are:
- Meats of all types: red meats, chicken, fish and seafood; Meat products: sausage, bacon, ham, sausage, salami; Animal offal: heart, guts, gizzards, kidneys; Milk and dairy products, including foods that contain milk as an ingredient; Sweeteners with aspartame; Eggs; Oilseeds: almonds, peanuts, pecans, cashews, Pará nuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, pine nuts; Wheat flour and foods containing it as an ingredient; Legumes: soy and derivatives, chickpeas, beans, peas, lentils; Industrialized foods rich in ingredients that contain phenylalanine, such as chocolate, gelatin, cookies, breads, ice cream.
In addition to these foods, people with phenylketonuria must also control their intake of foods such as pasta, rice, fruits and vegetables.
Amount of phenylalanine in allowed foods
The table below shows the amount of phenylalanine in 100 g of foods that can be consumed by phenylketonurics, but in a controlled manner.
| Food | Amount of phenylalanine | Calories (kcal) |
| Chocolate milk | 132 mg | 370 |
| Açaí, pulp | 27 mg | 58 |
| Cress | 150 mg | 17 |
| Lettuce | 62 mg | 14 |
| English potato | 71 mg | 52 |
| Sweet potato | 69 mg | 77 |
| Pre-fried potatoes | 100 mg | 127 |
| Banana | 48 mg | 98 |
| Carrot | 50 mg | 34 |
| Kale butter | 106 mg | 27 |
| UHT cream | 177 mg | 221 |
| Milk sweet | 416 mg | 306 |
| Pea (pod) | 120 mg | 88 |
| Tomato extract | 40 mg | 61 |
| Ketchup | 28 mg | 100 |
| Apple | 11 mg | 56 |
| Papaya | 29 mg | 45 |
| Rice porridge | 303 mg | 375 |
| Cheese bread mix | 47 mg | 440 |
| Orange nectar | 7 mg | 48 |
| Tapioca | 1 mg | 227 |
| Tomato | 44 mg | 15 |
The amount and variety of foods that can be eaten is regulated according to the severity of the disease and must follow the guidance of the doctor and nutritionist.
To better understand phenylketonuria, see:
