Best Protein Powder for Diabetics – What to Look For

We all need to get enough protein in our diets, but how we get that protein is essential when you have diabetes. Meats and dairy products are the most common sources of protein. But they also carry fats with them, so people turn to powders for protein intake. We need the best protein powder for diabetics.

The best protein powders for diabetics are ones that provide protein without adding unnecessary calories or sugar. Too much of a good thing definitely applies to protein for diabetics.

Most of our protein is from meat, but meat also has fat. There are healthy fats that are part of our diet. But not all fats are healthy. Fats in meat add calories to our diet, and every diabetic knows the importance of weight management.

The National Institutes of Medicine recommends that protein should provide us with 10-35% of our total calorie intake each day. However, let’s not forget that having too much of a good thing is possible.

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes have been linked to kidney disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim that 1 in 3 adults with diabetes also have CKD, Chronic Kidney Disease.

People with diabetes need to ensure that they don’t take in too much protein because it could make kidney problems worse. There needs to be a way to balance protein vs calories to stay as healthy as possible with diabetes.

Protein powders may be the solution. However, protein powders often come with added sugars, which would not be beneficial for those with diabetes. Luckily, there are some options out there.

The best protein powders for diabetics are ones that balance the amount of protein they take in, limit the amount of sugar, and protect our kidneys.

Best Protein Powder for Diabetics – What to Look For

Carbs are a big part of the equation for diabetics. Too many carbs, mainly highly processed carbs, are very dangerous. Highly processed carbs create blood sugar spikes that can cause harm little by little over a period of time.

This is the first thing we should look at when shopping for protein powders. Unfortunately, a lot of the protein powders out there are highly processed.

They also have added sugar to make the protein tastier to consume. Sometimes, the added sugars are just sugar. But other times, they use artificial sweeteners to enhance the flavor.

That’s not to say that diabetics need to avoid carbs altogether. But they fall under the same idea of too much of a good thing. We don’t want to make protein powders our primary source of carbs and protein, especially since we need to monitor our blood sugar levels.

Protein Powder Sugars for Diabetics

The best protein powder for diabetics has 0 to low sugar content. There are protein drinks out there that are already mixed and ready to drink.

You can find these protein drinks with 0 sugar or up to 30 g of sugar. It is essential to reach for the sugar-free protein shake. The flavor may not be as great, but the nutrition you get from it will be worth it.

You can add yogurt, oats, chia seeds, peanut butter, or fruit to the mix to make it tastier. In fact, this is a great meal replacement option for diabetics.

Just be sure not to go overboard by replacing every meal if you are trying to lose weight. Meal replacement only works in moderation.

Protein Powder vs Ready-to-Drink Protein

Protein powder is a far better option for diabetics because they have more control. They can control their amounts, and reading the ingredient labels can help them do the math.

Each ingredient label tells you the amount of each item in a single serving. You can also find out what the manufacturer considers a single serving.

Therefore, you can do some math to determine how much to consume. You can also add in flavorings during the mixing process. This way, the entire drink has more flavor and is measured to your exact needs or wants.

Ultimately, ready-to-drink options will get the job done in a pinch. However, diabetics should always seek out the option that gives them more control over what they’re putting into their bodies. 

Best Whey Protein Powders for Diabetics

Some believe that whey protein is the best option because it provides us with complete proteins. Complete proteins have all nine of the essential amino acids that make up protein.

Whey protein also has leucine, isoleucine, and valine or BCAAs. We use BCAAs for building muscle mass, which is often the main reason people reach for protein powders to build muscle or for weight loss.

The protein in whey powders comes from dairy byproducts that come from the production of cheese. The amount of nutrition we can get from milk in its different stages of life is incredible.

But that doesn’t mean the lactose is removed just because it is a different stage of life for milk. That’s why you will come across things like “grass-fed whey protein because the cow who produced the milk that was used was grass-fed only.

Therefore, some people with dairy allergies or sensitivities would be better off with plant-based protein powders. Unfortunately, that will mean sacrificing some BCAAs.

BCAAs for Diabetics

Did you know that BCAAs have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity? Diabetics can significantly benefit from getting BCAAs into their diets. Luckily, some protein powders will take care of this for you.

But you may need to sacrifice some BCAAs in your protein powder and opt for a separate solution there. BCAA supplements don’t have the exact amounts of sugar or processes that will make them more challenging to find.

Instead, go with whatever option fits your budget and desires. One of the most popular BCAA supplements is from Bodytech. Diabetics already know that their most potent weapon against high blood sugar is simply the practice of reading nutrition labels.

The same applies here with BCAA supplements. 

Plant-Based Protein Powders for Diabetics

The best protein powders for diabetics are ones that provide them with around 20-30 grams of protein per serving. However, getting protein from plants is not simple.

In fact, most plant-based protein powders use multiple different plants to get the same amount of protein as whey powders. In fact, the only plant-based protein powder that is considered to provide complete proteins is soy-based.

Soy-based protein powders provide complete proteins but still sacrifice some of the BCAAs. Reading the nutrition label and determining how many BCAAs and how much protein you use in plant-based protein supplements is essential.

Plant-based options will provide you with what you need and not what you don’t. That is why more diabetics go toward plant-based options instead of whey protein.

But if muscle growth is the goal, then a whey protein supplement would be best. You just need to make sure you practice moderation. 

Perfect Protein Powder

We all have reasons to meet our nutritional needs. Some of us just want to have healthy blood glucose levels, while others are looking for muscle growth.

Ultimately, our overall health is the only thing that matters. However, finding a high-quality protein powder with natural ingredients to help manage body weight and keep our carbohydrate intake low is a balancing act.

We all have a good reason to find the protein powder that meets our individual needs. That’s the answer we seek when shopping for the best protein powder for diabetics.

The good choice, the excellent choice, is the protein powder supplement that gives you the essential nutrients your body needs. Of course, there are other protein sources out there, like pea protein, brown rice, or even a rice protein powder.

Diabetics just need to be concerned with the amount of protein the powder provides and the sugar and carb content.

Protein Powder Options for Diabetics

The best protein shakes for diabetics meet all of the above criteria. Of course, a great option for you may not be the best protein shakes for another.

We want high quality, with complete protein, and preferably an unsweetened protein powder. Luckily, there are whey protein concentrate options and plant-based options.

• Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate | This grass-fed option has 120 calories, 28 g of protein, 2g of carbs, and only .5g of fat.
• Oragain Organic Protein | This plant-based protein powder has 150 calories, 21g of protein, 15g of carbs, and 4g of fat. The most significant benefit is that there is 0 sugar. That makes it the best sugar-free protein powder for diabetics.
• Naked Pea | This protein powder only uses peas for protein. You will find 27g of complete protein in this powder. However, it is better to go with the unflavored option and add your own ingredients, like fruits or stevia, to give it a sweeter flavor.

These protein powders are the top three options that will help raise energy levels while helping with your insulin sensitivity. You can use these shakes to help you build muscle and manage weight or even as meal replacement shakes.

But the important thing is that you know what to look for when shopping around for a protein powder that meets your needs. You now have everything you need to find exactly what you need and want.

Now, all you need is an excellent way to mix these protein powders, like a shaker bottle that you can take with you anywhere.

More Tips for Diabetics

Low Sugar Snacks For A Low-Carb Diet | Snacking with diabetes is not always easy. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Nutrisystem Diabetic Meal Plan Tips And Tricks | Did you know there are weight loss plans that offer diabetic plans? Might be time to explore that option.

Are Keto Recipes Good For Diabetics? | Another difficult thing to tackle for diabetics is the keto diet. But keto is not out of reach, just a little further than others.

Low-Carb Meals For Diabetics | Diabetics can eat low-carb meals. They just need to make sure they monitor their calorie and sugar intake along the way.

Store-Bought Easy Diabetes-Friendly Snacks | Did we mention how difficult it is to snack with diabetes? Here are some more options to help ensure you stay on track.