This study was designed to compare the effect of protein with that of calorie, both of which were supplemented by separate feeding, on the recovery rate and metabolic change of undernourished rats. During the two weeks of food restriction, the weight of body and some major internal organs was reduced, compared with normal growing rats, but the extent of reduction was various. After that, recovery food was supplemented for two weeks. The amount of body nitrogen retention and its -percentage were lower in unsupplemented and sugar supplemented groups. Among the supplemented groups, its amount was increased according as the protein intake was higher, while its percentage was decreased. Body and internal organs weight change showed a similar tendency. Interrelation between calorie intake and body fat retention (liver fat content and epididymal fat pad weight) was not found regularly. Consequently, the recovery rate from restriction was higher in protein supplemented group than calorie supplemented group. But no significant difference could be found between the groups.