Best Protein Powders For Diabetics: For Muscle Gains Recommended By Dietician!

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What's Inside

Looking to find the best protein powder for diabetics that does not spike insulin and helps to gain muscles in 2022?

Protein powders are powder forms of protein that can be either extracted from plants like soya bean, peas, rice, potatoes, and hemp or animal protein like eggs or milk or whey protein. Protein powders are a prevalent form of nutritional supplement as they are an essential macronutrient that helps to build muscle, repair tissues, and make enzymes and hormones. Sometimes protein powders are also helpful in weight loss or toning the muscles

The protein powders often include ingredients like added sugars, thickeners, vitamins, minerals, and artificial flavoring. The amount of protein varies from around 10 grams to 30 grams per scoop. When combined with a glass of milk and converted into a drink, it may give a person around 1200 calories. Studies have shown that protein powders impart strength gain muscles and lose a significant amount of body fat. People across the world thus consider it as one of the best supplements.

11 Best Protein Powders For Diabetics

The real struggle is when it comes to choosing a brand to accompany your fitness journey. You will have to be very careful in choosing a healthy and safe protein powder from the many in the market.

The market is loaded with advertisements and claims. Deciding on the one you need has to depend on various aspects. I have here shortlisted some of the best protein powders for diabetics after analyzing the ingredients and safety. Organic Protein Powder by Orgain finds to be one of the best protein powders for diabetics for its efficacy. Take a look at the list of protein powders to find which one could meet your requirements.

  • Orgain Organic Protein Powder
  • NOW Sports Nutrition
  • Quest Nutrition Vanilla Milkshake Protein Powder
  • Garden of Life Protein Powder
  • Isopure Zero Carb Protein Powder
  • GENEPRO, by Musclegen
  • MRM All Natural Whey Protein Powder
  • Dr. Berg’s Meal Replacement Shake
  • Sun Star Organics Pea Protein Powder
  • Biochem 100% Whey Sugar-Free Protein
  • Slim-Fast Protein Shake

Types of Protein Powders

A variety of sources are useful to make protein powders. They are available in many formulations. People use protein powders to increase muscle mass, help towards meeting their protein needs and improve overall composition body.

Types Of Protien Powder

Protein powders concentrate on protein sources broadly divided into dairy-based and Plant-based powders, such as eggs, dairy, rice, soya beans, peas, potatoes, etc. Let us understand them individually.

1. Egg and Dairy Protein:

These types of proteins are available from eggs, milk, and cheese. There are a variety of protein powders available in this category.

A. Whey protein powders

One of the most commonly used protein powder whey protein is full of benefits. It contains nine essential amino acids needed for the synthesis of protein and repairing of muscles. It is a complete protein. As it is easily soluble in water, its digestion and absorption are quick and give quick satisfaction to a person. Different types of whey proteins are available in health food and supplement stores

  • Whey protein concentrate (WPC) – WPC contains around 70% to 80% protein and some lactose, which is present in milk and a small amount of fat. It tastes better in comparison to other whey proteins.
  • Whey protein isolate (WPI) -WPI contains around 90% off protein with lesser amounts of lactose and fat as compared to WPC.
  • Whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) -WPH or hydrolyzed whey, as known popularly, is a pre-digested form of the whey protein. With 99% of the protein content, it dissolves much faster in water than other whey proteins. However, this type of protein powder, even if combined with other ingredients, tends to taste very bitter.

B. Casein Protein Powders

In comparison to whey protein, the digestion and absorption of casein protein are slow. Though it is not soluble in water, it keeps a person feeling full for a longer time. It is a supplement that can be immensely helpful for overnight muscle recovery. Also, it acts as a particularly useful protein supplement when meals and snacks do not suffice the daily requirement of protein.

C. Egg Protein Powder 

A lactose-free option Egg-white protein powder includes all the nine essential amino acids with around 80% of the protein content. Research shows that egg-white protein powder is exceptionally advantageous for the recovery of muscles and muscle strength with no negative impacts on body composition. It is incredibly useful for improving training goals.

C. Pea protein powder

Peas are useful in making this protein powder that contains all the amino acids, but at the same time, it is low in methionine. However, this deficiency is achievable by combining this protein powder with rice protein powder. Pea protein powder is rich in iron, an essential nutrient, especially for women.

D. Hemp protein powder

This type of protein is a plant-based protein that is easy to digest. Though it is not a complete source of protein, it does contain seven essential amino acids along with Omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for the overall health of a person.

11 Best Protein Powders For Diabetics in 2022

People with type-two diabetes often fear losing good health or not able to lose weight and even not able to build muscle. But being a person with diabetes does not mean that a person can’t do all these things. It is now possible both to lose weight and build muscle with the use of the best protein powders for diabetics. However, one needs to remain alert regarding the choice of product and its ingredients.Some of the best protein powders for diabetics is now available easily. Let us evaluate them in detail.

Orgain Organic Protein Powder

It is a new USDA certified vegan organic little tree and letters plant-based protein from soya from vanilla beans and contains no artificial ingredients

4.8 / 5

Price : $41.34


Calories: 150

Sugars: 0g

Sodium: 270mg

Proteins: 21g

Dietary Fiber: 0.99g

Other Nutrition: 00


PROS

  • 21-gram protein
  • No sugar, no carbs and no fats
  • Easily mixed with any ingredient
  • Has a great taste

CONS

  • Sometimes it is difficult to dissolve it hot liquids or water

Isopure Zero Carb Protein Powder

It is one of the perfect protein powders for diabetics as it is gluten-free for those with gluten and allergy, helping a person to lose weight while building muscle.

4.7 / 5

Price : $30.12


Calories: 110

Sugars: 0g

Sodium: 250mg

Proteins: 25g

Dietary Fiber: 0g

Other Nutrition: 00


PROS

  • 25-gram protein
  • No sugar, no carbs and no fats
  • Easily mixed with any ingredient
  • Has a great taste

CONS

  • Sometimes it is difficult to dissolve it hot liquids or water

GENEPRO, by Musclegen

Genepro Protien Powder

GENEPRO, by Musclegen. It is a highly concentrated low calorie protein with a serving size of only one tablespoon. It’s non- GMO, gluten-free, and unflavored with a high adsorption rate. It is ideal for diabetics, bodybuilders, athletes and anyone who wants to add a low calorie source of protein to their diet. 

It is known as the ‘next generation’ of protein powder. It is also ideal for weight loss program.-30 grams of concentrated whey protein per tablespoon

4.6 / 5

Price : $35.10


Calories: 58.7

Sugars: 0.6g

Sodium: 250mg

Proteins: 30g

Dietary Fiber: 0.00g

Other Nutrition: 00


PROS

  • 30 grams of concentrated whey protein per tablespoon
  • Only 58.5 calories per serving
  • High absorption rate
  • Contains 0.6 milligram 0.6 mil gram of carbs and 0.3 milligram of fat

CONS

  • Unflavored

NOW Sports Nutrition

Now-Sports-Whey-Protein

It is a clean profile product with an array of levers play word and is low in fact making it not a preferable product for losing weight

4.5 / 5

Price : $56.41


Calories: 130

Sugars: 1g

Sodium: 55mg

Proteins: 24g

Dietary Fiber: 0.99g

Other Nutrition: 00


PROS

  • 25-gram protein
  • 0.5-gram fat wide
  • Wide choice of flavors
  • Fast absorbing whey isolate

CONS

  • 2-gram sugar
  • 2.5 grams carbs -is considered being on a cheaper side on the scale of protein powder

MRM All Natural Whey Protein Powder

Completely natural product with 1.5-gram carbohydrates and a lot of L-glutamines. It is a good product for diabetics though not very helpful for weight loss

4.5 / 5

Price : $33


Calories: 100

Sugars: 1g

Sodium: 115mg

Proteins: 18g

Dietary Fiber: <2g

Other Nutrition: 00


PROS

  • 18-gram protein
  • Contain L-glutamines
  • Contains potassium
  • Easy to digest

CONS

  • 11 grams of protein
  • It is very thin to make one feel full.

Dr. Berg’s Meal Replacement Shake

Completely natural product with 1.5-gram carbohydrates and a lot of L-glutamines. It is a good product for diabetics though not very helpful for weight loss

4.5 / 5

Price : $


Calories: 100

Sugars: 1g

Sodium: 264mg

Proteins: 11g

Dietary Fiber: 8g

Other Nutrition: 00


PROS

  • Zero sugar
  • Very low in calories that is up to 90
  • Contains phosphorus and potassium
  • Ideal for vegans
  • Contain MCTs from coconut oil powder
  • Uses organic pea protein

CONS

  • 11 grams of protein
  • It is very thin to make one feel full.

Quest Nutrition Vanilla Milkshake Protein Powder

It is low in carbs but high in protein due to an addition of whey isolate and casein. It’s high ratio of protein to calories maintains that blood sugar levels help in recovery after exercising it boosts muscle strength but has artificial sweeteners. However, they don’t interfere with diabetes.

4.5 / 5

Price : $60


Calories: 100

Sugars: 1g

Sodium: 150mg

Proteins: 50mg

Dietary Fiber: 25g

Other Nutrition: 00


PROS

  • 24-gram protein
  • 3 grams carbs
  • Less than one gram sugar
  • Contains calcium potassium and phosphorus

CONS

  • Contains stevia and sucralose
  • Doesn’t blend well

Sun Star Organics Pea Protein Powder

Sunstar Pea Protien

Very good product for those who are lactose intolerant it’s a vegan-friendly product and also vegetarian in nature. The peas used in the product are all non-GMO and of extremely high quality. It contains all nine essential amino acids and also a few other nutrients to help the proper functioning of the body it is very good for weight loss and maintains blood sugar levels

4.5 / 5

Price : $


Calories: 90

Sugars: 0g

Sodium: 367mg

Proteins: 21g

Dietary Fiber: 0.6g

Other Nutrition: 00


PROS

  • 21-gram protein
  • Dairy and gluten-free
  • No added sugar
  • Less than 0.5 grams of carbs and fats
  • No preservatives or artificial flavors and colours

CONS

  • Doesn’t mix well with water

Biochem 100% Whey Sugar-Free Protein

Biochem Whey Isolate Protein

It is a natural balanced, and environmentally friendly products with a lot of extra nutrients to ensure wholesome nutrition to the body.

4.5 / 5

Price : $25.99


Calories: 90

Sugars: 0g

Sodium: 50mg

Proteins: 20g

Dietary Fiber: 0.99g

Other Nutrition: 00


PROS

  • Contains magnesium potassium calcium and phosphorus
  • 20-gram protein from grass-fed cows
  • Gluten-free
  • Wide choice of flavors

CONS

  • Contains maltodextrin which is the sugar
  • Considered as a weak drink

Garden of Life Protein Powder

It is 100% organic powder with an exclusive combination of pea, sprouted Brown rice and 12 additional organic seeds, beans and grains. It is a clean protein and a probiotic and a digestive enzyme blend

4.5 / 5

Price : $37.99


Calories: 180

Sugars: 1g

Sodium: 280mg

Proteins: 25g

Dietary Fiber: 4g

Other Nutrition: 00


PROS

  • 22 grams of raw organic plant protein in per serving
  • Nothing artificial
  • Complex protein mix consisting of pea, Brown rice ,12 organic green seeds and grains
  • Comes in vanilla, vanilla Chai, chocolate flavors and unflavoured

CONS

  • Not the best tasting powder

Slim-Fast Protein Shake

It is a meal replacement shake 4 hours of hunger control formula and clinically proven to lose weight and maintain it. The massager also boasts of having 4 electrode pads as well as two 72 – inch long connection wires connected to the side of the machine for better stimulation. It has an automatic timer that lasts for 25 minutes per session in order to avoid overuse.

4.5 / 5

Price : $20.97


Calories: 190

Sugars: 18g

Sodium: 210mg

Proteins: 10g

Dietary Fiber: 5g

Other Nutrition: 00


PROS

  • 20 grams of protein
  • 200 calories per serving
  • Gluten-free
  • 24 vitamins and minerals
  • Easy to blend

CONS

Choosing a Protein Powder For a Diabetic

Patients who have diabetes should be vigilant while choosing a protein powder as a nutrition powder. These patients wonder as to which is the best protein powder for diabetics, or which is a sugar-free protein powder for diabetics?

To find out the best nutrition powder for diabetics, one must keep the following things in mind:

  • When trying to select a sugar-free protein powder for diabetics, do not choose protein powder or protein shakes, which has ‘sugar’ listed as one of the added ingredients. Choose a protein shake or protein powder with the instruction – ‘without added sugar.’
  • While selecting the best protein powder for diabetics, try to find whether it is low in carbohydrates ranging from 5 grams to 15 grams per serving.
  • Usually, nutrition powder for diabetics or protein powder is sweetened either by artificial sweeteners like aspartame or by non-artificial sweeteners or natural sweeteners, which include sugar-alcohols or plant-sugar. Aspartame is a chemical alternative to sugar and is very sweet with little or no calories. On the other hand, sugar-alcohols are found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Plant-alcohols and plant-sugar are the extracts from plants or fruits, including brown sugar, sugar cane, stevia, coconut, and agave. As per a common choice, the best protein powder for diabetics is the one that contains non-artificial sweeteners as they are natural and easy to digest.
  • While trying to find out the best protein powder for diabetics, look out for animal hormone rBGH or rBST. Try to avoid these hormones in animal-protein based powder as they are artificial bovine growth hormones.
  • According to one study, the best sugar-free protein powder for diabetics or the best protein powder for diabetics is the whey protein powder. Whey protein powder happens to stimulate the secretion of insulin in people with type-two diabetes. Also, if one consumes the powder before breakfast, it helps control blood glucose levels even with healthy body weight and triglyceride levels.

Benefits Of Protein Powder For Diabetics

Often type-two diabetes is associated with an excess of weight or obesity. Such a diabetic person maybe wants to lose weight to control diabetes. Some people are now introducing protein intake as a to their Weight Loss Diet as a healthy alternative. However, the question arises whether increasing protein intake helps to control sugar?

The clinical explanation is that protein takes a long time to digest as against carbohydrates, leaving the person feeling full or satiated. It results in a person not feeling hungry quickly after the consumption of protein. In 2017, a small study with a small group of people using whey protein was under observation. The whey protein was helping them with controlling type-2 diabetes as it was stimulating the secretion of insulin in people with healthy body weight and normal triglyceride levels. Though having a nutrition powder for diabetics is a good option, One should always check out the labels to ensure that it has no added sugar, and it is the best sugar free protein powder for diabetics. People who follow a high protein diet using the best protein powder for diabetics seem to have lower glucose levels after meals, which means reasonable control over type-two diabetes and a subsequent weight loss. 

Precautions To Be Taken Before Having Protein Powder

There are a lot of risks involved while having a nutrition powder for diabetics. Therefore, one should take the following precautions before having a protein powder:

  • Protein powder is a dietary supplement, but despite its being a reputed brand and claim of safety with proper labeling of ingredients, there is no way to find out what the powder contains. So, be very careful before choosing the best protein powders for diabetics.
  • Also, there is no research regarding the long term effects or possible side effects of continuous intake of these protein supplements.
  • Some protein powders may cause a digestive disruption as they can get into trouble with digesting lactose for those who suffer from dairy allergies. These people end up experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort.
  • Many of these protein powder has a little added sugar and calories. Some protein powders contain around 23 grams of sugar, or if combined with a glass of milk, they can have more than 1200 calories. Thereby it results in weight gain and an unhealthy increase in the level of blood sugar.

Another interesting observation is that people often wonder about the best time for a protein powder intake. However, it depends on the personal health and fitness goals of an individual, and it also depends on whether the person wants to build muscle, restore muscle, preserve muscle, or lose weight.

Specific goals dictate specific times for protein intake. Let’s have a look at them.

  • To get an advantage of weight loss, one must consume protein-rich snacks between meals, leading them to have a few calories later in the day.
  • For building muscle, one must consume protein within two hours after the workout. Those people who work out on an empty stomach or a fasted state should consume protein immediately after the workout.
  • To prevent muscle loss, one must aim to have 25 grams to 30 grams of protein intake per meal. Having a protein supplement during breakfast may help to spread the protein intake digestion throughout the day.
  • For improving performance and recovering from fatigue, endurance athletes should have protein and carbohydrates during and after the exercise.
  • Those athletes who are having resistance training may benefit from protein intake either immediately or after working out.

Is protein powder bad for diabetes?

All protein powders are not bad for diabetes. Packaged protein drinks and foods often have a high sugar content and this sends glucose levels soaring. Even though, it might be a healthful option as protein digests more slowly than carbohydrate.

Does whey protein spike blood sugar?

Studies suggest that 100% whey protein content can lead to an increase in insulin levels. Does whey protein spike blood sugar in all people? Studies suggest that 100% whey protein drinks and powders should be avoided by people who follow the ketogenic diet.

Does whey protein cause weight gain?

Yes, whey protein has major benefits for weight loss. Studies have proven that replacing other sources of calories with whey protein, combined with weight lifting and other simple exercises can cause weight loss. Also, whey protein is a great way to increase your protein intake.

What foods are high in protein for diabetics?

Egs, milk, beef, chicken, fish, pork and cheese are the food items that are high in protein for diabetics. Plant based proteins will be available from foods such as beans, nuts, seeds, or tofu. This helps you feel full and helps stabilize blood sugar levels.

Best protein powder for insulin resistance?

Egg protein powder is one of the best protein powders for insulin resistance. It includes all the nine essential amino acids with around 80% of the protein content. This improves your insulin resistance and increases your muscle strength. 

FAQ

Protein requires insulin as well as carbohydrates and fats for digestion. But this, however, does not have any effect on an increase in the blood sugar levels. In well-controlled diabetes, large amounts of protein may contribute to glucose production with a minimal increase in blood glucose level due to a much needed small amount of additional insulin for the protein’s metabolic activity. But recent studies point at protein for not raising blood sugar levels; in fact, it helps control it.

The American Diabetes Association has pointed out the following proteins as the best for diabetic patients. However, whey protein tops the list as being the best protein for a person with diabetes:

  • Whey proteins
  • Plant-based proteins such as seeds, tofu, soya beans, nuts, or seeds
  • Seafood and Fish
  • Chicken and other poultry (Choose breast meat if possible)
  • Low-fat dairy and Eggs

Best whey protein powder for people with diabetes is Protinex Lite, which is the best for daily consumption. Protinex Lite is full of high protein with eleven Immuno nutrients and zero sugar. It is a unique formula for supporting weight management and an active lifestyle. The other best whey protein Powder is the Cellular Whey Protein Isolate and Concentrate Blend Powder. Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydro Whey is the best sugar-free whey protein powder, and Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder is the best-tasting whey protein powder

Whey protein as a powder is one of the best protein powder for diabetics as whey protein helps in stimulating the secretion of insulin in people having healthy body weight and normal triglyceride levels, and it also helps control type-two diabetes. It is the perfect mix of all the nine essential amino acids with zero sugar and fewer carbs and fats, all of which are very helpful for the body’s overall nutrition.

Final Verdict on selecting the Best Protein Powder

For people with diabetes, life can be quite challenging as they have to take care of a lot of things like controlling weight gain and obesity while maintaining blood sugar levels and muscle strength. To achieve these health goals, all one has to do is choose the best protein powders for diabetes that has a perfect mix of ingredients and fits an individual’s circumstances and specific health goals, thereby providing the necessary fuel to the body to function well throughout the day. 

However, before you rush to get a foot massager for yourself or a loved one, make sure that you consult the doctor whether it will be a good therapeutic option to use a foot massager for the person concerned or not. A confirmation from the doctor will eliminate all of those doubts lingering in the back of your head and you can enjoy that relaxing foot massage in peace. We hope that this article proved helpful for you!

About Tim Mathew

Tim Mathew is an Endocrinologist specialized in general endocrinology, diabetes, and lipid metabolism. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in a science-related discipline and completed a medical school program in New York. Once Tim Mathew quoted that Endocrinology is both a challenging and rewarding medical specialty, so he wants to specialize in it. To know more about Tim Mathew kindly go through our about page.

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