Proteins

Proteins serve as building blocks for cells and as sources of energy for the body.

When people with diabetes consume protein, their blood sugar levels rise more slowly. The primary function of proteins is to serve as building blocks for our bodies. In addition to calories, proteins also contain amino acids. When the body hasn't been able to obtain energy from carbohydrates for a long time, proteins can be converted into blood sugar, which can then be used as energy.

What is protein anyway?


Protein is a nutrient that provides energy, just like fat and carbohydrates. One gram of protein provides 4 kilocalories. Protein is found in almost all foods, both plant and animal products. Proteins are made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks of our body. They help us build and repair tissues throughout the body. Think for example of blood, organs and muscles. But proteins are also important for your immune system.

Animal Proteins

  • Meat

  • Fish

  • Milk and milk products

  • Eggs

  • Insects

Vegetable Proteins

  • Cereal products (bread, pasta, rice)

  • Legumes (beans, lentils)

  • Nuts

  • Mushrooms

Which proteins are the healthiest?


Animal proteins such as those from eggs and milk have a higher quality than proteins from plant products. This is because animal proteins contain all the essential amino acids. These are amino acids that our body cannot make by itself, so we have to get them through our nutrition.


Vegetable proteins also contain essential amino acids, but usually not the complete package. You can solve this by combining different products. For example, if you eat grains and legumes together, you still get enough essential amino acids. Soy is an exception and contains enough of all the important amino acids by itself.


It is wise to alternate animal and vegetable proteins because animal products contain more saturated fat. About half of both is best.

How much protein do I need?


Adults need about 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. That works out to 60 grams of protein for someone who weighs 75 pounds. This also applies to people with diabetes. When you are a vegetarian and do not eat animal products, you need to eat 20-30% more protein to get enough of all the essential amino acids.

Protein and Diabetes


On average, people with diabetes get 45 percent of their energy from carbohydrates, 38 percent from fats and 17 percent from protein. Researchers do not yet know whether eating more or less protein is better for blood sugar levels. This seems to vary from person to person. Protein can help you not to become overweight, because it fills you up quickly and makes you less likely to feel hungry after eating a lot of protein.


For people with type 2 diabetes, eating a lot of protein can cause the blood sugar level to rise later than normal, and not immediately after the meal. This is because protein causes more insulin to enter your blood. If you suffer from a hypo, it is therefore better to eat something that only contains carbohydrates, such as a glass of orange juice. It is better not to have yogurt, milk or anything with protein in it.

Kidney disease


People with type 1 diabetes and serious kidney problems should not eat too much protein, because the kidneys have to work extra hard. The advice is not to eat more than 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day.


If you have a kidney disease, consult your doctor or dietician. Together with you they will look at your eating habits and how much protein you can eat.