Changi General Hospital - High Protein Diet

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High Protein Diet

High Protein Diet - What Is Protein?
Protein is one of the main nutrients needed by the body for growth, replacement of tissues and the maintenance of muscle. The minimum daily amount you require depends on your size, rate of growth and general state of health. This amount increases during certain periods of growth, eg at infancy, when recovering from burns, during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Who Would Need A High Protein Diet?
Patients who often require high protein diets include those who are undernourished, underweight and those recovering from open wounds either from injury or surgery.
Foods High In Protein
Animal Sources Meat Fish Poultry Eggs Milk and dairy products Plant Sources Bean and bean products, eg. soya milk, tofu, nuts, lentils Cereals Suitable supplementary drinks
Choosing The Right Protein
Try to choose foods that will provide the best quality protein, especially those from animal sources which are more readily absorbed.
Guidelines For A High Protein Diet
Eat a well-balanced meal that includes variety regularly. For variety, choose protein foods from both animal and plant sources. Have a more generous helping of protein-rich food at each meal. Include some low fat protein food as a snack eg. low fat yoghurt. Try to have milk-based drinks in place of your usual tea/coffee. Where possible, exercise regularly to keep fit.
Other Considerations
While it is important to increase protein and calorie intake to overcome undernutrition or to promote healing, it is also essential that your diet is balanced and healthy. Eat at least two or three servings of fruits and vegetables each daily. Remove skin and fat from meat. Have oily or fried foods only as occasional treats. Avoid very salty foods. Where possible, eat wholegrain foods to increase fibre intake. Drink at least six to eight glasses of liquid a day.
Daily Meal Plan
Breakfast: Fruit juice (optional) Bread with margarine OR cereal OR porridge 1 egg or substitute protein Tea / coffee OR glass of milk Lunch/Dinner: Soup Rice / noodles / potatoes / chappati Lean meat / fish / poultry / beans Vegetables Fruit / milk-based dessert Mid-morning: 1 glass of milk OR supplementary drink OR low fat yogurt Mid-afternoon Milo / Ovaltine with milk Sandwich with a protein food OR low fat yogurt Supper 1 glass of milk OR supplementary drink Wholemeal biscuits / bread with a protein food

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