Finding a Happy Medium: Protein and Diabetes
Nowadays you can find a diet out there for just about anything. No carbs? Try the Atkin’s Diet. No fats? Try South Beach. But having diabetes seems to throw a wrench in just about everything. The diet of a diabetic is of the utmost importance in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and there seems to be so many opinions about which kind of diet is best. But recently it’s been suggested that diets high in protein may be bad for those suffering from diabetes. So why is too much protein bad for diabetics and how do you know how much is enough?
Why is too much protein bad for diabetics?
Diabetes affects many of the major organs in the body but it especially affects the liver and kidneys. The liver regulates glucose, which lies at the essence of every diabetic’s problem. Because the body doesn’t make enough insulin to handle the excess glucose the liver produces, it goes into overdrive to produce more. Diabetics can also suffer from kidney disease, leading to kidney disease or failure. But why is too much protein bad for diabetics?
Because diabetics already face issues with their liver and kidneys, eating too much protein can definitely cause problems. The liver and kidneys aren’t able to break down protein as they would in a normal person and sometimes may work too hard trying to break it all down. In addition, foods that are high in protein are often also high in saturated fat. Saturated fat isn’t good for anyone, regardless of whether they have diabetes or not. So the combination of high fat intake and overworked kidneys and liver can be an issue for diabetics to say the least.
What happens if a diabetic doesn’t have enough protein?
However, diabetics shouldn’t cut protein out of their diets too much as this can cause adverse health effects as well. Proteins take longer for the body to break down which means they keep a person fuller for longer. They also don’t create spikes in a person’s blood sugar like carbohydrates might, making them valuable to a diabetic’s meal planning.
How much protein is enough?
Just like any diet, a diabetic’s diet should include a balance of all the major food groups. Doctors recommend eating the normal daily allowance of protein and avoiding extreme diets that limit things like carbs or protein. Unlike other nutrients, it takes a pretty good amount of protein to really jeopardize your body’s well-being so as long as you’re getting your protein from healthy sources and avoiding protein supplements in powder or drink forms, you’re probably okay. Lean meat is the best source of protein so fill your diet with meats like chicken and turkey.
Of course if you’re a diabetic, you should consult your doctor before making any serious dietary changes. But mostly living a healthy life as a diabetic requires moderation, just like anyone else. Fill your diet with the healthy stuff like fruits, vegetables and lean meat and you’re sure to be feeling better.