Protein is the building block of your muscles and body. The recommended consumption of protein per day for adult males and females is 56g and 46g. For someone trying to build muscle, this would be even higher. Obviously, this can be a difficult task for people who work a 9-5 job or have certain diets, like diabetics.
Finding a protein powder for diabetics can be challenging because there aren’t many options for just straight lean protein. Other protein powders contain added sugars or a large number of carbs and aren’t viable.
We compiled a list of the best protein powders for diabetics based on how diabetic-friendly they are.
Why Use Protein Powder?
One of the great things about protein powder is that it has many different uses. Most people use it to feed their muscles a lot of protein after their workout. This is to allow for efficient protein synthesis in your muscles for recovery and growth.
Another common reason for taking protein powder is dieting. If you are cutting or dieting, protein powder can be useful to preserve muscle. While you diet, your body eats your muscles and fat for fuel. By consuming protein powder, your muscles will feed off the protein to maintain their size.
One of the great things is that there aren’t any downsides to taking protein powder. You feed your body and muscles with a large amount of protein to grow. However, if you do have pre-existing kidney issues, you should contact your physician for medical advice.
Types of Protein Powders for Diabetics
As a diabetic, there may seem like there aren’t a lot of options for protein powders, but that’s not actually true. Here are some forms of protein powders for diabetics.
Whey Protein Powder
- The most famous protein powder option. Everyone loves and consumes it because of it’s fast digestion to supply your muscles with protein. It is derived from cow’s milk and is a high-quality protein. It is also vegetarian.
Casein Protein Powder
- Whey protein’s forgotten sibling. Casein protein is another strong option, but not so much for post-workout. Casein protein is from whole milk, like whey, but with different effects. Casein protein has a slow digestion rate, so the most common use is before you sleep.
Soy Protein Powder
- As you could have guessed, soy protein powder is made from soybean. Although still a viable source of protein, it doesn’t offer the same protein value compared to others.
Egg White Protein Powder
- A more expensive protein powder option, but just as reliable. Also, a great option for someone with diabetes because in most, your glucose levels will remain stable.
Brown Rice Protein Powder
- Chances are you’ve never heard of this before. Brown rice is an actual protein powder option but does not offer nearly any of the benefits of the others. Which is most likely why you’ve never heard of brown rice protein before.
Bone Broth Protein Powder
- This is actually a protein powder of animal bones and remnants that you can make into a broth. It offers great nutritional value in a protein powder.
Benefits of Using a Protein Powder
Weight Loss While Preserving Muscle
As we said before while dieting your body will consume your muscles and itself for fuel. Taking a protein powder can prevent that by giving your muscles the protein to grow.
Curve Your Hunger
Drinking protein powder shakes with 50g of whey protein can actually help prevent hunger. It can reduce the hormones that are responsible for telling your brain you’re hungry.
It won’t be to the point where you won’t feel if you’re starving, but rather make you feel satiated.
Preventing Stress
Whey protein powder can alter your hormone levels, in particular serotonin. The hormone for making you feel happy. It can actually increase your serotonin levels to help you deal with your stress.
Might Prevent Cancer
Using whey protein might help with fighting against common cancers, like prostate or colon.
Skin Care
The skin of someone with diabetes might be drier than someone who doesn’t have diabetes. The usage of protein powder can help your skin look young, possibly collagen protein powder.
Protein Powder and Diabetes
Benefits
Protein powders are very beneficial to everyone, including someone with diabetes like:
- Taking whey protein powder supplements can help you manage your blood sugar better.
- Taking a whey protein powder shake before meals can considerably lower your blood sugar levels. Making it very helpful for people with type 2 diabetes.
Precautions
- People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing kidney disease compared to others. If your kidneys are not the strongest or even if they are, we recommend consulting your physician for medical advice.
Picking a Protein Powder For a Diabetic
There are certain things you will want to look for when searching for a protein powder for diabetics:
- Low carbs and low fat levels and a very low sugar level or even sugar free. The lower it can get the better.
- A great balance of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, especially essential amino acids.
- Read the label and make sure there is no maltodextrin or extra amino acids. No artificial ingredients either, just organic.
- You should always try to go for a reputable brand, so you know what you’re getting.
Best Protein Powders for Diabetics
We found our best protein powders for diabetics, based on ingredients, taste, and more.
Although it didn’t make the list, we really liked the Glucerna Diabetes Nutritional Shake and had to include it. It is made specifically for someone with diabetes but is a pre-made protein shake and not a powder. If that sounds like something you would rather have, this is what you’ll want to try.
#1 – Isopure Zero Carb Whey Protein Powder
For those who can tolerate whey, this one is a clear winner for the best protein powder for diabetics. To start off it contains zero carbs, zero fat, or zero sugar yet still packs 25g of pure whey protein isolate, which is a very pure source of whey protein, and 5.5g of BCAAs per serving.
It is also labeled as gluten and lactose-free in addition to everything else. When it seemed like they couldn’t fit much more benefits into it, they did.
The consistency was also very good and mixed very well with liquids. One of their most interesting features was their assortment of distinct flavors. From Toasted Coconut to Alpine Punch to Pineapple Orange Banana, they have flavors that will turn your head.
One thing we didn’t like was the use of artificial sweeteners, such as sucralose, instead of stevia or monk fruit extract.
Pros:
- Zero Carbohydrates, Zero Sugar, or Zero Fat
- 25g of Whey Protein Isolate per serving
- 5.5g of Amino Acids per serving
- Gluten and Lactose Free
Cons:
- Use Sucralose as a sweetener
- Can be Expensive per serving
- Some users were not a fan of some of the flavors
#2 – Be Well by Kelly Beef Protein Powder
Be Well by Kelly really put up a good fight with Isopure Zero Carb, but eventually, Isopure took the crown due to the benefits of whey protein powder.
They delivered a clean beef protein powder that is not only great for someone with diabetes but also for anyone else. It is made from 100% Swedish grass-fed beef protein. This can ensure you that you are getting quality ingredients, especially for an ingredient such as beef.
It contains no fillers or any other additives, as clean as it can get.
We loved that it is soy, dairy, and gluten-free. It is also keto and paleo-friendly.
Now onto the macros. It contains 100 calories per serving with 23g of protein and 0.5g of fats. It contains no carbs or sugars or artificial sweeteners. Definitely, one of the purest beef protein powders we’ve seen and perfect for your blood sugar levels.
Unfortunately, it only comes in one option which is unflavored. This will most likely mean you will have to mix it into a smoothie to avoid to undesirable taste.
Pros:
- Contains Beef Protein from Swedish Grass Fed Cows
- Contains no Carbohydrates or Sugar
- Each serving contains 23g of protein
Cons:
- Expensive
- Many complain about the protein foaming a lot after mixing, which can cause bloating
- Some users were not a fan of the taste, due to it being unflavored
#3 – Dymatize ISO-100 Protein Powder
Now, this protein powder we were particularly excited to tell you about. Let’s just say this: <1g of sugar, 1g of carbs, 0g of fat, and lactose-free.
Each scoop provides you with a good balance of 110 calories and 25g of protein. It is made from whey protein to ensure better quality. it even includes 25g of amino acids per serving with a great blend of 47% essential amino acids, 27% CEAAs, and 26% Non-EAAs. (5.5g of them are BCAAs)
It comes in 3 different sizes with an assortment of 17 flavors, including Fruity Pebbles!
The reason it landed in third place and not higher was because of the small number of carbohydrates, but we wanted to include it due to the value it brings.
Pros:
- Consists of Whey Protein Isolate
- 25g of Protein per serving
- 25g of Amino Acids per serving (5.5g of BCAAs)
Cons:
- Taste and its ability to mix with liquids were complaints from some users
- May have a nominal amount of lactose according to some users
- Contains Artificial Flavors
#4 – Judee’s Egg White Protein Powder
This protein powder made the list not only because it is a great option, but because it’s an option besides whey. Instead of whey protein, it uses egg-white protein which can be just as powerful.
Its powerful and unique blend brings you 0g of fats, <1g of carbs, no sugar, and 20g of protein. Although it does not provide you with the same protein amount that a whey protein powder will, it is an option for those lactose intolerant.
Unlike most egg white protein powders, this one won’t break the bank either. The per-serving cost is similar to what you can find in other whey protein powders. Even though it has a lower price, it doesn’t compromise on quality, containing just egg white powder and sunflower lecithin. Making it a great protein powder for diabetics!
Our biggest problem with the shake is many people reported saying they didn’t like the taste or consistency. It is unflavored though, so mixing it with a smoothie or shake might mask the taste.
Pros:
- <1g of Carbohydrates per serving
- 20g of Protein per serving
- Sweetener, Soy, Gluten Free, and Non GMO
- Good Choice for those Lactose Intolerant
Cons:
- Many users disliked the taste, due to it being unflavored
- Some users reported stomach problems, such as bloating, after consuming
#5 – Left Coast Collagen + Bone Broth Protein Powder
We wanted to include not only a great option for someone with diabetes but also an alternative form of protein powder for those who can’t have the other protein powders. This one uniquely blends collagen peptides and bone broth to help give you the benefits of both.
They work well together to help you build muscle, while also supporting your joints and your skin.
Each serving contains 50 calories and 13g of protein. This isn’t a lot of protein per serving if you are trying to build muscle or in comparison to whey protein powders, but you could have 2 servings due to the low-calorie count. Having 2 servings each time will get to be expensive though.
Pros:
- Good combination of Bone Broth and Collagen Peptides
- 0g of Carbohydrates
Cons:
- Low Protein per serving
- Many users dislike the taste
- Some users suffered bloating after consuming
Take-Away
No matter what the reason is, protein powder can be extremely helpful. From, dieting to muscle building, it can always help you. It can sometimes be difficult to find a protein powder based on your certain needs. Such as finding a protein powder for diabetics.
We chose Isopure Zero Carb Protein Powder as the best protein powder for diabetics based on a number of aspects. It contained 100% whey protein isolate and the ingredients were clean. The macro ingredients had a good balance and were friendly to a diabetic’s diet. We also loved that there were so many options for flavors to choose from, making it the best protein powder.
