Diabetes Health Center

The correct answer is: TRUE

Research shows that people with kidney problems have faster loss of kidney function if they follow a high protein diet. If kidney function is normal, however, high protein intake likely won't cause kidney problems.   

How much protein is too much? If you have kidney problems, the American Diabetes Association suggests you eat just 15% to 20% of calories from protein. And do your body a favor: Choose protein such as beans, fish, or chicken more often than fatty red meat. Fatty meat boosts the risk of heart disease.

If you want to lose weight, try a balanced diet that cuts calories by 500 calories a day. You should be able to lose 10% of your body weight without putting your kidneys at risk.

The correct answer is: TRUE

With low-calorie sweeteners, you can have sweetness that tastes as good as sugar, without the extra calories.

Artificial sweeteners like saccharin and aspartame have no calories or carbohydrates -- so they can be added to your meal plan rather than substituted for other carbs.

In fact, some new sugar substitutes -- like lactitol -- are great for baking. They have the same "bulk" that regular sugar has. Yet they have half the calories of sugar, and they don't raise blood sugar levels rapidly like sugar does.

Keep in mind, however, that artificial sweeteners still perpetuate a sweet tooth, making naturally sweetened foods not taste sweet enough. They are also highly processed. Certain sugar substitutes such as agave and honey will raise sugar levels. Some experts advocate trying to wean yourself from them to allow your taste buds to adapt over time to appreciate the natural sweetness in foods.