Understanding Protein

Beef, poultry, eggs and dairy products are good sources of protein. Sugar and fruit are types of carbohydrate, while butter, margarine and olive oil are sources of fat.

For most people with diabetes, the amount of protein you need is the same as for people without diabetes - about 25% of daily calories. However, if you have kidney problems, you may need to limit how much protein you eat. Excess protein can make kidney damage worse. However, it's important to note that eating a lower protein diet has not been shown to prevent kidney damage in otherwise healthy people.

Hot dogs, ribs, sausage and bacon are examples of high saturated fat choices, and are not leaner proteins. The "round" and "loin" are the leaner cuts of meat, and even when you choose leaner proteins, limiting portions is key. Trimming away visible fat and removing poultry skin are great strategies for lowering your saturated fat intake.