Everything you need to know about Protein Powder for Diabetes
Diabetes may lead to other health conditions like high blood pressure, kidney damage, heart disease, etc. Such conditions are likely to occur in the elderly in the long run.
Hence, all diabetic patients need to consume a well-balanced diet. Dieticians and doctors often recommend a diet low in carbohydrates and fats and high in protein for diabetics.
But which is the best protein powder for diabetics? And, what are its benefits and how to consume it? Continue reading to find the answers to all these questions in this post.
Benefits of Protein Powder
Protein powders are good for diabetics because protein digests slowly compared to carbohydrates. For instance, a burger is more likely to digest faster than a supplement with whey protein. So, you’ll feel fuller for a longer duration.
Plus, there are lesser chances of blood sugar spikes in the long run. Furthermore, protein has an important role in all major bodily processes.
How Diabetics Need to Consume Protein Powder
You can mix sugar-free protein powder with water. If you don’t like its taste that way, you may mix it with milk, soy milk, nut milk or seed milk. The unsweetened and low-fat milk is another satisfying, low-calorie option.
What are the Right Protein Powder Options for Diabetics?
1. Casein Protein
It works slowly for building muscle mass while helping you lose excessive weight.
2. Whey Protein
It is a milk-based protein that absorbs fast while boosting muscle growth and also recovers torn muscles and worn-off cells/tissues due to exercises.
3. Pea Protein
It is great for building muscles while serving as a good vegetarian option.
4. Egg Protein
With it, you may feel fuller without any impact on diabetes.
5. Hemp Protein
This protein can reduce diabetic neuropathy pain.
6. Mixed Plant Proteins
It’s great for controlling diabetes and ideal for vegans.
7. Brown Rice Protein
It can decrease the chances of getting impacted by diabetes.
Frequency to Have Protein Powders for Diabetics
You can have sugar-free protein powder in between your meals in the form of a snack or during a workout. Generally, diabetics can have 30g of protein per day unless they work out heavily. In case of heavy workouts, you may need to consume protein powder multiple times every day.
Risks of Excessive Protein Powder Consumption for Diabetics
A protein powder with artificial flavours, colours and sweeteners may affect diabetes adversely. Such powders may spike your blood sugar levels. So, it’s best to consume sugar-free and other artificial agent-free protein powders.
Impact of Protein Powder on Your Blood Sugar Levels
Protein powders often have low carbohydrates. These don’t contain over 12g of carbohydrates per scoop. So, your risk of high blood sugar spikes decreases with protein powders that have fewer carbohydrates.
However, some protein powders with low carbohydrates can also cause blood sugar spikes. It happens due to the presence of amino acids like glucogenic amino acids that are present in whey proteins.
Such powders can turn amino acids into glucose and hence, result in higher blood sugar levels. So, it’s best to have plant-based protein powders to minimize the risk of such a condition.
The plant-based protein powders have a good amount of ketogenic amino acids, which cannot convert into glucose. So, there won’t be any blood sugar level spikes.
Conclusion
To keep diabetes in control, choose the best protein powder for diabetics in India that comes without sugar and no artificial sweeteners and flavouring agents. Also, have a sugar-free breakfast, high-fibre food and exercise regularly to control diabetes.
However, make sure to consult a physician before including any supplement in your diet.
Also, Visit here: Protein Powder During Pregnancy: Is It Safe?
