People with diabetes should eat as much protein as people who don't have diabetes. In a healthy diet, roughly 10% to 35% of your daily calories should come from protein.
Protein requirements can vary depending on a person’s age, activity levels, body weight, and other factors. Most people should aim for a maximum of 2 grams of protein per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight per day.
According to the USDA Dietary Guidelines, it is recommended to eat 5.5 ounces of protein-rich food each day. Foods that are high in protein include meat, fish, seafood, chicken, eggs, dairy products, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
Protein does not have much of an effect on blood sugar, however, some foods that are high in protein can also contain saturated fat (ie red meat - Beef, pork, veal and lamb) that do contribute to higher blood sugar levels.
People who have diabetic nephropathy, which is a kidney disease related to diabetes, often need to eat less protein. In this case, the recommended protein intake is about 1 gram (or less) per kilogram of body weight.
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*** Red Meat Consumption and Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes:
*** Protein Content of Common Foods:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/-/media/bariatrics/nutrition_protein_content_common_foods.pdf
**** Diabetes and Protein Deficiency or Protein Excess:
When protein intake is unbalanced—either insufficient or excessive—it can disrupt the body’s metabolic processes and potentially contribute to the development of various health conditions, including diabetes. This article explores the potential risks of diabetes arising from protein deficiency or excess.
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Consuming Too Much Protein and Diabetes:
Most research indicates that eating more than 2 g per kg of body weight daily of protein for a long time can cause health problems.
Symptoms associated with too much protein include:
intestinal discomfort and indigestion
fatigue
nausea
irritability
There are serious risks associated with chronic protein overconsumption, including:
cardiovascular disease
blood vessel disorders
liver and kidney injuries
seizures
death
Risk factors associated with developing side effects from protein overconsumption include the following:
kidney and liver conditions
low carbohydrate intake
deficiency in nutrients the body needs for protein metabolites, including glucose, arginine, glutamine, and vitamins B-6, B-12, and folate
*** Signs of Protein Deficiency:
Protein deficiency is when your intake is unable to meet your body’s requirements.
While true protein deficiency is uncommon in the Western world, some people get very low amounts from their diet. This may affect almost all aspects of body function and lead to various health problems.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/protein-deficiency-symptoms
Consuming Less than Recommended Protein:
Diabetes is associated with a risk for developing low muscle mass, which can lead to falls and other injuries. That's why protein consumption—and awareness of the need for it—is critical to maintaining muscle mass and preserving functional mobility, which can help people living with diabetes live stronger overall lives."
