Which foods should be eliminated or limited in PKU?

• A. Fruits
• B. Vegetables
• C. High phenylalanine foods like meat, eggs, and milk
• D. Carbohydrates

Answer: (C)

In PKU, the body can’t properly metabolize phenylalanine, so intake of this amino acid must be tightly controlled to protect brain development. The best answer points to foods that are very high in phenylalanine—meat, eggs, and milk—because these foods contribute large amounts of the amino acid and are the ones that typically must be eliminated or greatly limited. Fruits, vegetables, and carbohydrates are not high in phenylalanine and can usually be included within the individual’s daily limit, which is why they aren’t the foods that must be eliminated. (In PKU, people often use a phenylalanine–restricted diet along with a special medical formula to meet protein needs without adding phenylalanine.)