If you're living with diabetes, it's essential to make sure that you're eating the right kinds of food. While it's important to limit your intake of processed and sugary foods, it's also essential to make sure that you're getting enough protein. The best way to do this is to include a variety of protein sources in your diet. When it comes to meat, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that people choose a variety of protein foods and replace some meats and poultry with fish and plant-based sources.
This means that if you're a diabetic, you should try to include some plant-based protein from beans, nuts, or tofu, even if you're not vegetarian or vegan. Not only will this provide you with essential nutrients and fiber that aren't found in animal products, but it will also help reduce your risk of developing heart disease and other health complications associated with diabetes. When selecting animal proteins, it's important to opt for leaner cuts of meat. This means avoiding fatty cuts of beef, pork, and lamb.
Instead, opt for leaner cuts such as skinless chicken breasts or turkey breasts. You can also opt for fish such as salmon or tuna, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids and can help reduce inflammation in the body. It's also important to watch your portion sizes when eating meat. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes limit their intake of red meat to no more than three ounces per day.
This is equivalent to about the size of a deck of cards. It's also important to watch your intake of processed meats such as bacon, sausage, and deli meats, as these are high in sodium and saturated fat. In addition to these tips, there are other ways that diabetics can ensure they are getting the right kind of meat in their diet. For example, diabetics should look for leaner cuts of meat that are low in saturated fat and sodium.
They should also look for meats that are high in protein but low in carbohydrates. Additionally, diabetics should avoid processed meats such as bacon, sausage, and deli meats as these are high in sodium and saturated fat. Overall, if you're living with diabetes, it's important to make sure that you're eating a balanced diet that includes a variety of protein sources. Try to include some plant-based proteins such as beans, nuts, or tofu in addition to leaner cuts of animal proteins such as skinless chicken breasts or fish. It's also important to watch your portion sizes and limit your intake of processed meats.