A complete example week for the low-phenylalanine PKU diet — with Phe values per meal, planning tips, and a print-friendly version you can take to the clinic.
⚠️ Note: This sample plan is designed for adults with classic PKU and a Phe budget of approximately 300 mg/day. All values are reference figures and may vary by variety, preparation method and portion size. Your individual plan is set by your dietitian or metabolic team.
Prepare LP staples (rice, pasta, potatoes) in larger quantities at the weekend. During the week you always have pre-calculated portions to hand.
Fruit and most vegetables have very low Phe values. Use them as flexible snacks and to top up your budget towards the end of the day without spending much Phe.
Amino acid formulas are best taken 3× daily (breakfast, lunch, dinner) so amino acid supply stays consistent and deficiencies don't develop.
Before a restaurant visit, check the menu online and ask the kitchen about low-phenylalanine options (e.g. chips instead of schnitzel, side salads, fruit desserts). PHE Buddy has a restaurant mode on the roadmap.
Specialist suppliers like Loprofin, PKU Leuville, Mevalia and Cambrooke offer LP bread, pasta, flour and much more online. A month's supply provides planning security.
PHE Buddy tracks your daily Phe intake in real time — scanning labels with the camera, looking up the BLS 4.0 database, and alerting you at 80% of your daily budget. No more manual calculations.
Start with your individual Phe budget (set by your metabolic team). Distribute it across 3 main meals and 2 snacks. Use low-phenylalanine staples as the base and add vegetables and fruit according to your Phe budget. PHE Buddy calculates all values automatically from the BLS 4.0 database.
Specialist PKU food manufacturers offer LP versions of almost all staple foods: bread, pasta, rice, flour, milk substitute, yoghurt, cheese substitute, waffles, biscuits and much more. They contain only 10–40 mg Phe per 100 g compared with 300–500 mg in regular products.
Yes. Because natural protein intake is severely restricted in PKU, an amino acid formula (e.g. Phenyl-free, PKU Lophlex) is essential to obtain adequate protein, vitamins and trace elements. Your metabolic team will prescribe the right formula and dose for you.
PHE Buddy calculates your Phe intake automatically — scan labels with AI, search the BLS 4.0 database, and let the app track your daily plan. No more manual maths.
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