Q. Proteins requirement in diabetes?
Proteins: Proteins should be provided in adequate amounts to maintain a normal body composition and prevent depletion of lean tissue mass. Adult diabetics without any complications are able to maintain good health when given 1.0 gm protein/ kg ideal body weight per day. During childhood, adolescence, pregnancy and location the requirements are higher than the RDI and patients usually benefit by increasing the protein by 10 to 15%. However, in case of renal complications protein intake needs be restricted in accordance with the clinical parameters of renal function test. In such situations the patient should not be given more than 0.8 gm per kg IBW per day.