Foods high in protein such as fish, chicken, meats, soy productsand cheese, are all called “proteinfoods.” You may also hear them referred to as "meats or meat substitutes.”
The biggest difference among foods in this group is how muchfatthey contain, and for the vegetarian proteins, whether they havecarbohydrate.
Best protein choices for diabetes
Plant-based proteins
Plant-based protein foods provide quality protein, healthy fatsandfiber. They vary in how much fat and carbohydrate they contain, so make sure to read labels.
- Beans such as black, kidneyand pinto
- Bean products like baked beans and refried beans
- Hummus and falafel
- Lentils such as brown, greenor yellow
- Peas such as black-eyed or split peas
- Edamame
- Soy nuts
- Nuts and spreads like almond butter, cashew butteror peanut butter
- Tempeh, tofu
- Products like meatless "chicken" nuggets, "beef" crumbles, "burgers", "bacon", "sausage"and "hot dogs"
Fish and seafood
Try to include fish at least twotimes per week.
- Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids like Albacore tuna, herring, mackerel, rainbow trout, sardinesand salmon
- Other fish including catfish, cod, flounder, haddock, halibut, orange roughyand tilapia
- Shellfish including clams, crab, imitation shellfish, lobster, scallops, shrimp andoysters.
Poultry
Choose poultry without the skin for less saturated fat andcholesterol.
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Cornish hen
Cheese and eggs
- Reduced-fat cheese or regular cheese in small amounts
- Cottage cheese
- Whole eggs
Game
- Buffalo, ostrich, rabbit orvenison
- Dove, duck, gooseor pheasant (no skin)
Beef, pork, veal andlamb
It’s best to limit your intake of red meat which is often higher in saturated fat and processed meats like ham, bacon and hot dogs which are often higher in saturated fat and sodium. If you decide to have these, choose the leanest options, which are:
- Select or Choice grades of beef trimmed of fat including: chuck, rib, rump roast, round, sirloin, cubed, flank, porterhouse, T-bone steak ortenderloin
- Lamb: chop, legor roast
- Veal: loin chop or roast
- Pork: Canadian bacon, center loin chop, ham ortenderloin
