Nutrition in Diabetes | |||||||||
Proteins Proteins form the building blocks of the body, they are themselves made up or amino acids. Proteins are present in all the cells of the body like muscles, nerves, skin, hair, mouth, intestines , blood etc., they form the essential molecules like DNA RNA, Cell structures, Proteins help in the control Body secretions, Enzymes, Hormones. They help in repair of the body tissues due to daily wear and tear, Proteins form antibodies thus protecting and cleansing our body. Proteins also provide energy. Each gram of protein provides about 4kcal of energy (same as carbohydrates). There are some amino acids which cannot be made in the body, they have to be derived through external sources through food only, these are called essential amino acids.
A Diabetic Diet should provide about 20% of calories through proteins, which means in a 60 Kg adult the diet should contain atleast 80-100 gms of proteins per day. Protein content of the diet may have to be reduced in Kidney disease as kidneys are unable to excrete the nitrogenous waste products.
One easy way of measuring how much protein may be had in lunch or dinner is the palm method- as advised by WHO, peice of meat, fish or chicken, Tofu or Cottage cheese- approximately the size of palm of the individual may be taken as the measure of protein allowed in one meal.
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