If you have specific dietary requirements when flying, you may come across a range of four-letter airline meal codes when choosing your in-flight meal. One of these is LPML.
The LPML meal code is generally used to refer to a Low Protein Meal, a special meal designed for passengers who need to limit the amount of protein in their diet.
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In this guide, I explain what the LPML airline meal code means, who it may be suitable for, what foods you might be served and how to request a special meal before your flight.
What Does LPML Stand For?
LPML stands for Low Protein Meal. It is a type of special dietary meal that may be available on selected airlines and routes for passengers who need to follow a protein-restricted diet.
LPML is much less commonly offered than special meals such as VGML (Vegan Meal), GFML (Gluten Intolerant Meal) or DBML (Diabetic Meal). You should therefore check directly with your airline to find out whether a low protein meal is available.
Who Is an LPML Meal For?
An LPML meal is intended for passengers who need or choose to restrict their protein intake. A low-protein diet may sometimes be recommended as part of the management of certain medical conditions. However, dietary requirements can vary considerably from one person to another.
If you follow a medically prescribed diet, it is important not to assume that an airline’s LPML meal will automatically meet all of your individual nutritional requirements. The exact ingredients and nutritional content can depend on the airline, catering company, departure airport and route.
What Food Is Usually Included in an LPML Airline Meal?
The contents of an LPML meal can vary, but it may focus more heavily on lower-protein foods such as:
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Salads
- Rice or other grains in appropriate portions
- Bread or rolls
- Low-protein alternatives where available
- Desserts that meet the airline’s meal specification
Foods that are naturally high in protein may be restricted or provided in smaller quantities.
However, there is no guarantee that every airline uses exactly the same specifications when preparing an LPML meal.
What Foods May Be Limited in an LPML Meal?
Depending on the airline’s catering guidelines, a Low Protein Meal may limit foods such as:
- Meat
- Poultry
- Fish
- Eggs
- Cheese and other dairy products
- Beans and lentils
- Nuts and seeds
- Other high-protein foods
The meal should not be confused with a vegetarian or vegan meal. Although an LPML meal may contain fewer animal products than a standard airline meal, this does not necessarily mean it will be suitable for vegetarians or vegans.
Is LPML Suitable for People With Kidney Disease?
Some people with kidney disease may be advised by their healthcare team to adjust their protein intake. However, kidney-friendly diets can involve restrictions beyond protein alone, including individual requirements relating to sodium, potassium, phosphorus or fluids.
For this reason, an LPML airline meal should not automatically be considered a renal diet.
If you have kidney disease or another medical condition requiring a carefully controlled diet, check with your healthcare professional and contact the airline before travelling. You may also want to carry suitable food with you, subject to airport security and customs rules.
Is LPML the Same as a Low-Calorie Meal?
No. LPML and LCML are different airline meal codes.
LPML refers to a Low Protein Meal, while LCML is generally used for a Low Calorie Meal.
A meal that is low in protein is not necessarily low in calories, fat, sugar or salt. Make sure you select the meal code that most closely matches your dietary requirements.
Is LPML Suitable for Vegetarians or Vegans?
Not necessarily. If you require a vegetarian or vegan meal, it is usually better to request the appropriate vegetarian or vegan special meal code rather than LPML. For example, VGML is commonly used for a Vegan Meal, while VLML usually refers to a Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo Meal.
An LPML meal could still contain animal-derived ingredients, so you should not rely on this meal code if avoiding these ingredients is important to you.
Is LPML Suitable for Food Allergies?
LPML is not an allergy meal. Requesting a Low Protein Meal does not mean the meal will be free from common allergens such as milk, eggs, gluten, nuts, sesame or soya.
Cross-contamination may also be possible during preparation and service.
If you have a food allergy, contact your airline directly to discuss its allergy policies and what accommodations may be available. Depending on your needs and destination, you may also prefer to bring suitable food with you. For more advie for travelling with allergies, my guide to travelling with an allergy is a good starting point.
How Do I Request an LPML Airline Meal?
If your airline offers LPML, you may be able to request it when booking your flight or through the Manage Booking section of the airline’s website or app. If LPML does not appear in the list of available special meals, contact the airline to ask whether it can be requested manually.
Special meals usually need to be ordered in advance. The deadline varies between airlines but is often around 24 to 48 hours before departure.
Because LPML is a relatively uncommon special meal code, I would recommend confirming your request with the airline before you travel. When you check in, you can also ask staff to confirm that your special meal request is attached to your booking.
What Should I Do If My LPML Meal Is Not Available?
Even when you order a special meal in advance, there is always a possibility that it may not be loaded onto the aircraft or that your booking changes could affect your request.
If following a low-protein diet is medically important, consider bringing suitable snacks or food as a backup. Remember to check airport security restrictions for liquids and gels, as well as customs and biosecurity rules at your destination if you plan to carry food internationally.
LPML Meal Frequently Asked Questions
What does LPML mean on a flight?
LPML generally stands for Low Protein Meal. It is a special airline meal intended for passengers who need to restrict their protein intake.
Do all airlines offer LPML airline meals?
No. LPML airline meals are not one of the most widely available airline special meals. Availability depends on the airline, route and catering arrangements.
How far in advance should I order an LPML special meal?
Special meal deadlines vary by airline, but many airlines require requests to be made at least 24 to 48 hours before departure. Check directly with your airline for its specific deadline.
Is LPML special airline meal a renal meal?
Not necessarily. A renal diet may involve controlling nutrients other than protein, including sodium, potassium and phosphorus. An LPML meal should not automatically be assumed to meet the requirements of a medically prescribed renal diet.
Is LPML airline meal vegetarian?
Not necessarily. A Low Protein Meal may still contain animal-derived ingredients. If you are vegetarian, request an appropriate vegetarian meal instead.
Can I bring my own low-protein food on a flight?
In many cases, yes. However, you should check airport security rules and the customs or biosecurity regulations of your destination, particularly when carrying fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy products or other restricted foods internationally.
LPML stands for Low Protein Meal and is designed for passengers who need a meal with a reduced protein content. It is a relatively uncommon airline special meal, and availability can vary significantly between airlines and routes. If you need to follow a strict low-protein diet for medical reasons, contact your airline well before departure to find out exactly what it can provide.
It is also worth remembering that an LPML meal is not automatically suitable for people with kidney disease, food allergies, vegetarian diets or vegan diets. If you have multiple dietary requirements, speak to the airline and consider bringing suitable backup food for your journey.
Resources for Travellers on a Low-Protein Diet
Travelling while following a low-protein diet can require some extra planning, particularly when flying or travelling internationally. Our resources for travellers on a low-protein diet cover topics including understanding the LPML airline meal code, choosing suitable food while travelling, packing appropriate snacks and managing dietary requirements during flights, cruises and holidays. Whether you follow a low-protein diet for medical reasons or on the advice of a healthcare professional, these guides can help you prepare for your journey and understand the food options that may be available while you are away from home.
- Read the top tips for travelling on a low-protein diet by Prominpku
- Learn more from Polly about how she eats out with confidence with PKU
- Learn from Very Well Health about what foods to eat and which to avoid on a low-protein diet
Continue Learning About Airline Meal Codes
LPML is just one of the many special meal codes you may see when booking a flight. Other codes cover requirements including vegan and vegetarian diets, religious meals, low-fat and low-salt diets, diabetes, allergies and meals for babies and children.
Understanding what each airline meal code means can make it easier to choose the most appropriate option for your needs before you fly.
- Airline meal codes and what they mean
- What does CHML mean?
- What does HNML mean?
- What does VLML mean?
- What does DBML mean?
- What does LSML mean?
- What does SPML mean?
- Download and print a copy of all of the airline meal codes for your own reference
Continue Planning Your Trip With an Allergy
- Start at the beginning – learn about travelling with an allergy from my main guide
- Learn about airline meal codes and what they stand for so you can be sure your meal is allergen free
- Find out what is in my babies allergy travel bag so you can save yourself the headache of packing without a list
- Explore what it means to fly with medical luggage as an allergy travellers
- Download and print some free allergy translation cards before your trip
- Find out what Equal Eats allergy translation cards are and how to use them to travel safer
- Learn why it is important to learn important phrases related to your allergy before you travel and downloaed the free accessible travel translations eBook
- Figure out what to include on a doctors travel letter for medication so you can get it right the first time
- Find out more about flying with EpiPens so you can travel with confidence
- Airport special assistance links for airports around the world
Continue Planning Your Accessible Travels Using My Guides
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