Abstract： Objective To study the effect of a protein restricted diet on renal function and nutritional status in type 2 diabetes with microalbuminuria.Methods 67 patients with microalbuminuria was conducted into two groups with 33 assigned to a protein restricted diet and 34 assigned to normal protein diet in 1 year.Results In test group albuminuria decreased significantly ( P <0.001).The patients’ blood glucose,total cholesterol,triglyceride,body mass index (BMI) had not significant difference between two groups.Conclusion Protein restricted diet beneficially reduced albuminuria in type 2 diabetes mellitus with microalbuminuria,so as to improve nutritional status and delay the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy.