Can a diabetic eat Protein?
Yes, a diabetic can eat protein daily. Diabetics and non-diabetics need to include protein in their meals daily. Humans of all ages need to eat protein daily as every cell in the body needs and contains protein. Protein helps repair body cells in general. Children, teens and pregnant women depend on protein for vital growth. This is why all humans need protein.
What is Protein?
Protein is one of the essential macronutrients for the human body alongside carbohydrates and fats. Macronutrients primarily provide calories or essential energy for body to function. Proteins are one of the building blocks of body tissue and are essential for building muscle. Animal products, legumes and nuts contain protein essential for humans.
Protein is made of amino acids. Structurally, protein is a chain of amino acids. Amino acids are chemical compounds that contain hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur. Proteins or amino acids make up your muscles. To be specific, amino acids are building blocks of proteins. Further, proteins are building blocks of muscle tissue.
What are protein types?
Experts classify protein in many ways depending on how they look at them. For example, from a consumer or dietary point of view, proteins can be looked at as ‘animal-based protein’ and ‘plant-based protein’. Such classification helps a person understand protein from dietary perspective – vegetarian and non-vegetarian.
Structurally, proteins are classed as primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary. Another way of classifying proteins is as globular proteins, fibrous proteins and membrane proteins.
What are the best protein sources for diabetics?
Diabetics need to eat a balanced meal every time. Protein obviously plays a vital role in a diabetic’s well-being and health. However, a diabetic must avoid eating protein that is high in fat, salt or sugar. For example, most animal-based proteins are generally high in fat and cholesterol. Experts say lean meat has less fat. Low-fat dairy is good for diabetics. However, the best protein for diabetics are plant-based proteins. Examples of plant-based protein include beans, soy, nuts, seeds etc.
