Type 2 Diabetes Nutrition & Weight Loss How Much Protein Should a Person With Diabetes Eat? By Shereen Lehman, MS Shereen Lehman, MS Shereen Lehman, MS, is a healthcare journalist and fact checker. She has co-authored two books for the popular Dummies Series (as Shereen Jegtvig). Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 04, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Danielle Weiss, MD Medically reviewed by Danielle Weiss, MD LinkedIn Dr. Danielle Weiss is the founder of the Center for Hormonal Health and Well-Being, a personalized, proactive, patient-centered medical practice with a unique focus on integrative endocrinology. She enjoys giving lectures and writing articles for both the lay public and medical audiences. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Overview Daily Intake Choosing Proteins High-Protein Diets Diabetic Nephropathy Protein itself does not have much of an effect on blood sugar levels, though the food the protein is in may. Typically, people with diabetes don't need any more protein than people who don't have diabetes. There are, however, times when less protein is better. Maximilian Stock Ltd. / Getty Images Protein and Your Health Protein is one of three essential macronutrients; the other two are fat and carbohydrate. These are needed in large amounts to maintain health and vital functions. The body uses protein to build, repair, and maintain most of your body's tissues and organs. Proteins are also necessary for immune system function and help some additional physiological processes as well. Daily Protein Intake As long as your kidneys are healthy, about 10% to 35% of your daily calories should come from protein. This is the same amount suggested for a balanced non-diabetic diet. About 45% to 65% of your caloric intake should come from carbohydrates and the rest should come from fat. Some health experts suggest that it is more accurate to use the standard formula of 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. To do the kilogram conversion, divide your weight in pounds by 2.2. For instance, if you weigh 150 pounds, that is equal to 68 kilograms. Multiply that by 0.8 and you get a protein goal of 54 grams. According to the USDA Dietary Guidelines, it is recommended to eat 5 1/2 ounces of protein-rich food each day. Foods that are high in protein include meat, fish, seafood, chicken, eggs, dairy products, legumes, nuts, and seeds. For example: One-half chicken breast has 29 grams of proteinOne cup of black beans has 15 grams of proteinAn egg has 6 grams of proteinOne cup of low-fat milk has 8 grams of proteinA 3-ounce portion of steak has 26 grams of protein The Best Yogurt for People With Diabetes Choosing Proteins When choosing proteins for a diabetic diet, the concern is more with the fats and carbohydrates that these foods contain. Some types of carbohydrates, for instance, are quickly converted to glucose, which may lead to a spike. Additionally, the risk of weight gain from high-fat and high-carb foods can lead to less control of blood sugar levels. Simple vs. Complex Carbs The American Diabetes Association recommends eating fish as a protein source at least twice a week. They also recommend limiting red meat and processed meats like ham, bacon, and hot dogs because these tend to be high in saturated fats. Lean meats are a better choice for a balanced diet. 4:56 How to Make Herbed Turkey Meat Loaf with Balsamic Brussels Sprouts High-Protein Diets Switching to a high-protein diet may seem like it should make a difference in blood sugar regulation. However, the protein probably doesn't help much at all, at least for the long term. Research has shown that increasing protein intake doesn't appear to have any appreciable impact on how your sugar is digested or absorbed. And it doesn't have any long-term effects on your blood sugar or insulin requirements. This means that if a person with diabetes switches to a high-protein diet, any therapeutic benefit is probably due to the concurrent reduction and closer regulation of carbohydrate consumption, not the protein itself. This is an important basis for a consistent carbohydrate diet, which can help control type 2 diabetes. That is not to say that high-protein diets are right for everyone. You need to take your personal situation and eating habits into account. For instance, studies have been done on meals that are high in both fat and protein. In people with type 1 diabetes, their insulin dosage needed to be increased after one of these meals. Due to this, researchers recommend close monitoring of glucose levels. Why Diabetes Is Not One Disease Diabetic Nephropathy People who have diabetic nephropathy, which is a kidney disease related to diabetes, often need to eat less protein. In this case, the recommended protein intake is about one gram (or less) per kilogram of body weight. You will need to work with your healthcare provider to determine how much protein you need each day. Too much protein might be bad for your kidneys, but too little protein could lead to malnutrition and unintended weight loss. Personalized Protein Intake Anyone with diabetes can benefit from a personalized protein intake recommendation as well. There are many factors that play a role in a well-balanced diet and your needs may be different from the general recommendations. It's best to speak with your healthcare provider about your protein needs. You can also discuss it with a certified diabetes educator or a dietitian or nutritionist who specializes in medical nutrition therapy for people with diabetes. A Word From Verywell While protein does not seem to directly affect blood glucose levels, the other components of high-protein foods may. Keep this in mind and try to limit your proteins to the daily recommended amount and to foods that are low in fat and carbohydrates. 5 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th Edition. December 2020. Wu G. Dietary protein intake and human health. Food Funct. 2016;7(3):1251-1265. doi:10.1039/c5fo01530h American Diabetes Association. Protein. Healthy Food Choices Made Easy. American Diabetes Association Lifestyle management: Standards of medical care in diabetes–2018. Diabetes Care. 2018 Jan;41(1):S38–S50. doi:10.2337/dc18-S004 Bell KJ, Smart CE, Steil GM, et al. Impact of fat, protein, and glycemic index on postprandial glucose control in type 1 diabetes: Implications for intensive diabetes management in the continuous glucose monitoring era. Diabetes Care. 2015 Jun; 38(6): 1008-1015. doi:10.2337/dc15-0100 Additional Reading Wu G. Dietary protein intake and human health. Food Funct. 2016;7(3):1251-65. doi:10.1039/c5fo01530h Editorial Process Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit