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Basic Skills for Living with Diabetes

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Diabetes health tip

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Meat and meat substitutes

Meat and meat substitutes have protein and some fat but no carbohydrates. For most people, the recommended amount of protein is between six to eight ounces a day. (A piece of meat that is the size of a deck of cards is equal to 3 ounces.)

Food

Serving size*

  • Beef/veal
  • Canned fish
  • Cheese
  • Cottage cheese
  • Egg: medium
  • Egg substitute
  • Fish and seafood
  • Game
  • Hot dogs
  • Lamb
  • Lunch meat (choose lean cuts of meat)
  • Nuts
  • Peanut butter
  • Poultry (chicken, turkey)
  • Pork
  • Soy or veggie burgers
  • Tempeh
  • Tofu

  • 1 ounce
  • 1/4 cup
  • 1 ounce
  • 1/4 cup
  • 1
  • 1/4 cup
  • 1 ounce
  • 1 ounce
  • 1 ounce
  • 1 ounce
  • 1 ounce
  • 3 tablespoons
  • 1 tablespoon
  • 1 ounce
  • 1 ounce
  • 1 ounce
  • 1/4 cup
  • 1/2 cup

*Each of the serving sizes in the listed foods contains one ounce of protein.

 

Source: Allina Patient Education, Basic Skills for Living with Diabetes, fifth edition, ISBN 1-931876-32-0

First published: 12/01/2006
Last updated: 10/18/2011

Reviewed by: Allina Patient Education experts