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Is protein necessary
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The Question

07/01/09 08:58 AM

"Is protein necessary at every meal Are carbs necessary at every meal Do they have to balance What is balance (6p to 27 carb)? is that bal?"
Asked By: betsycturner  
Category: Prediabetes

Background Info Hide
I'm insulin resistant (diagosed 2 yrs ago)...not overweight ( never been overweight);... 45 y.o.; ....normal bld press (never had any b.p. problems); ....cholesterol always been fine except ...for now my LDL is 107. I've been told by a dietican that I should balance my protein/carbs at every meal.

Expert Answers (1)

07/02/09 08:28 PM

Hello,

Balance means not overeating any single type of food or nutrient at the expense of another. A balanced meal contains foods that offer carbohydrates (including fiber), protein, and fat.

  • Carbs provide a source of glucose (sugar)

  • Protein provides builidng blocks for body tissues

  • Fiber and fat slow down digestion so that a steady stream of glucose is delivered rather than a sudden flood

    For example, a bowl of whole grain cereal and fresh fruit with skim-milk for breakfast (offer complex carb, protein, and fat) is a good choice. Eating well-spaced carefully chosen meals that provide the balance of carb, protein, and fat recommended in the Dietary Guidelines can prevent rapid rise and falls in blood glucose levels.

    Website for Dietary Guidelines:

    http://www.health.gov/DietaryGuidelines/

    To lower your LDL-cholesterol (bad cholesterol), select lean protein foods and limit total fats in meals and snacks. Consider nonfat or low-fat food products. Check with your registered dietitian about establishing a meal and exercise plan. He or she can teach you how to interpret food labels and modify your favorite recipes.

    Regular physical activity will help decrease LDL and increase HDL-choleterol (good cholesterol), as well as increase your sensitivty to insulin (reduce your insulin resistance).

    Take care.

    • Answered By: Liz Quintana
    Accreditations: EdD, RD, LD, CDE,CPT
    Sources Show

    Community Answers (4)

    07/10/09 04:56 PM

    I agree 100% with lschoenrank!
    Answered By: conniechard
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    07/10/09 04:56 PM

    I agree 100% with lschoenrank!
    Answered By: conniechard
    FLAG
    SourcesShow


    07/10/09 04:55 PM

    I agree 100% with lschoenrank!
    Answered By: conniechard
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    SourcesShow


    07/05/09 08:37 AM

    "For example, a bowl of whole grain cereal and fresh fruit with skim-milk for breakfast (offer complex carb, protein, and fat) is a good choice. Eating well-spaced carefully chosen meals that provide the balance of carb, protein, and fat recommended in the Dietary Guidelines can prevent rapid rise and falls in blood glucose levels." Umm, that can't be right, can it? Where is the fat? Most breakfast cereals don't have much fat or protein, especially compared to the carbohydrate content. Cereal is mostly starch, which will turn into sugars when you digest it. (Plus some fibre - fibre is good) Fruit is sugar again, plus some fibre and vitamins. Skim milk is sugar (lactose) with some protein and NO fat. There's nothing here to slow down the sugar getting into the bloodstream. This meal would spike my blood sugars and cause a crash an hour later and I'd be hungry again AND have a headache. I'd put an egg with a slice of lightly buttered whole grain toast and a serving of fruit. Berries are relatively low in sugars. The egg will provide fats and protein and slow down the digestion of the rest of it, and spread out the blood sugar increase. Then you won't be hungry again too soon.
    Answered By: lschoenrank
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