While a diabetes patient who does not have any associated disease can follow a normal protein diet (15% of the total calories should come from protein), a diabetic with kidney disease should follow a modified protein diet.
Guidelines for diabetic nephropathy:
- Protein intake has to be restricted to approximately 0.6gm/kg body weight/day in cases of diabetic nephropathy.
- Proteins of high biological value should be included in the diet.
- Intake of pulses should be restricted. Include about ½ – 1 bowl.
- Moderate amounts of fruits can be included in the meals.
- Potassium has to be taken in moderate amounts; therefore care has to be taken while selecting vegetables.
- Starches are to be included:
- Sago (sabu dana) can be taken in the form of sago kheer, cutlets and khichri.
- Arrowroot biscuits (eg: marie) can be taken.
- Arrowroot flour can be mixed in wheat flour and used for making chapati.
- Potato can be taken daily (1 medium size).
- If taking a 30gm protein diet, protein sources to be included are:
- Milk ~ 1glass (250ml)
- Egg (1) or cottage cheese/paneer(40gm).
- If taking a 40gm protein diet, protein sources to be included are:
- Milk
- Egg (1)
- Cottage cheese/paneer (40gm)
- If taking a 50gm protein diet, protein sources to be included are:
- Milk
- Egg (1)
- Cottage cheese/paneer (80gm) or meat (80gm).