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Best Protein Powder For Diabetics 2024: Top 5 Supplements Reviews
Updated on
- Written by Karla Tafra, Nutritionist
Medically reviewed by
Dr G. Michael DiLeo, MD
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Future Kind Organic Vegan Protein Powder
- Organic pea protein
- 20 grams of plant-based, easy-to-digest protein
- Zero sugars, gluten, or dairy
10% Off Coupon: 10OFF
Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate
- 100% grass-fed whey protein powder
- 28 grams of protein per serving
- Clean ingredients, no sugars, gluten, or soy
Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein Powder
- 24 grams of complete protein (rice and peas)
- No gluten, sugars, soy, or artificial ingredients
- Organic ingredients
Protein powders are one of the most popular dietary supplements as they aim to help build muscle, increase recovery, and promote healthy weight loss. Still, plenty of existing brands on the market add sugars and other sweeteners to improve their taste. This makes them unsuitable for people who are struggling with diabetes or otherwise following a low-carb and low-calorie diet.
The best protein powder for diabetics needs to be low in sugars and overall calories, preventing blood sugar spikes[1] and additional inflammation that can cause further harm to their health. It also has to contain the cleanest ingredients to prevent any adverse effects and be easy to digest so that their bodies can absorb the essential amino acids and reap the benefits of adding extra protein into their diet.
5 Best Protein Shakes For Diabetics In (April. 2024)
- Future Kind Organic Vegan Protein Powder – Editor’s Choice
- Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate – Best Whey Protein Isolate
- Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein Powder – Best Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder
- Orgain Organic Protein Powder – Best Budget-Friendly
- Naked Pea Protein Powder – Cleanest Ingredients
Best Protein Powder For Diabetic Patients In 2024
Future Kind Organic Vegan Protein Powder
10% Off Coupon: 10OFF
Future Kind’s Organic Vegan Protein Powder is one of the cleanest vegan proteins on the market and its zero sugar content makes it a great fit for diabetics.
- Organic pea protein
- 20 grams of plant-based, easy-to-digest protein
- Zero sugars, gluten, or dairy
- Might be pricey
Future Kind is a well-known supplement company that makes some of the highest-quality products on the market. Their vegan and sugar-free protein powder is made with only the cleanest ingredients, and it’s packaged in a 100% recyclable bottle which only speaks to their sustainable approach.
Made with organic pea protein isolate, organic guar gum, organic flavors, and sweetened only with organic stevia, this clean protein powder is gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and contains zero sugars. This makes it the perfect protein powder for those following a low-carb and low-sugar diet, whether they’re diabetic or not.
This protein powder is third-party tested to ensure purity, potency, and high quality. Each serving has 20 grams of protein and contains the full spectrum of essential amino acids to help you build muscle, support your weight management, and help you reach your protein intake for the day. Additionally, it contains high levels of natural iron so you can hit your daily numbers with ease.
Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate
Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate is one of the cleanest whey protein powders on the market with a grass-fed formula to help you build muscle as well as aid in weight loss.
- 100% grass-fed whey protein powder
- 28 grams of protein per serving
- Clean ingredients, no sugars, gluten, or soy
- Expensive
- Not suitable for vegan diabetics
Known for its high-quality protein supplements, Transparent Labs has one of the best whey protein powders on the market. Their grass-fed whey protein isolate is made with only the cleanest ingredients and zero gluten, sugars, soy, or artificial ingredients.
Whey protein isolate is a more filtrated[2] form of whey protein, making it higher in protein content and lower in fat and carbohydrate. This also makes it lower in lactose and easier to digest for anyone who is sensitive or intolerant to lactose.
Every serving has 28 grams of protein, 0 grams of fat, and less than one gram of carbohydrates. This makes it one of the best options for diabetics[3] or anyone who’s looking to decrease their carbohydrate and sugar intake. Still, diabetics who are lactose intolerant or are triggered by dairy might still have a glucose spike[4] after taking this supplement. If that’s the case, they are probably better off with a vegan protein shake.
Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein Powder
Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein Powder is one of the best vegan protein powders combining organic rice protein and organic pea protein powder to promote muscle growth and support healthy weight management.
- 24 grams of complete protein (rice and pea)
- No gluten, sugars, soy, or artificial ingredients
- Organic ingredients
- On the pricier side vegan protein powders
Another great protein supplement from Transparent Labs comes in the form of a plant-based protein powder. The organic formula contains pea protein and rice protein which together make a complete protein, containing all essential amino acids to support muscle growth and weight loss.
Each serving contains 24 grams of protein and only minimal carbs and fats, making it a great option for those who are looking to maintain low blood sugar levels, build muscle, and lose weight. Each flavor profile contains only clean ingredients and features no sugar, dairy, gluten, or artificial additives. Additionally, it’s only sweetened with stevia that’s proven to have no impact[5] on blood glucose levels.
Orgain Organic Protein Powder
Orgain Organic Protein Powder is the best protein powder for diabetics who are trying to not go over their monthly budget.
- Organic plant-based protein powder
- Affordable
- No gluten, sugars, soy, or dairy
- Contains some ingredients like xanthan gum[6] (not natural), sunflower oil, and rice dextrin which are known to cause digestive issues in some people.
Orgain is a supplement company well-known for its organic and affordable products and still manages to keep high quality and potency. Their Organic Protein Powder is made with brown rice protein and chia seed protein powders, and it’s free from gluten, sugar, dairy, soy, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Every serving contains 21 grams of plant-based protein, four grams of fat, and 15 grams of carbohydrates, but zero sugar content, which makes it suitable for diabetics.
Although clean and organic, this plant-based formula contains some additives like rice dextrin, sunflower oil, and xanthan gum that might cause digestive problems in some people who are sensitive to these ingredients or be unsuitable for those who insist on only natural ingredients.
Naked Pea Protein Powder
Naked Pea Protein Powder with its extra-clean formula makes this arguably the best plant-based diabetic protein powder on the market.
- Only one ingredient: yellow pea protein powder
- 27 grams of protein per serving
- Third-party tested and easy to absorb
- Expensive
- Not a complete protein
Even though it’s not a complete protein, Naked Pea Protein Powder has the cleanest formula on the market. Containing 27 grams of protein per serving coming from one ingredient only, this unsweetened protein powder helps promote muscle growth, improve recovery, and aid weight loss, and it makes it easier for you to reach your daily protein goals.
Unlike whey protein powder, this naked formula is easier to break down and digest which makes it rapid to absorb and start working. It’s not the most affordable protein powder on the market, but its high quality justifies its value. This product is third-party tested to ensure potency, purity, and high quality, and it’s made using water-extraction processing which requires no chemicals.
Additionally, with only one ingredient, it’s safe to say the formula is gluten-, sugar-, dairy-, soy-, and artificial ingredient-free.
Diabetics: What To Know?
Diabetics have a serious health condition[7] that makes their bodies unable to control and regulate their blood sugar levels. Their pancreas either cannot produce insulin or can only produce it at very low levels which makes this important hormone unable to perform the function it’s supposed to.
In another iteration of diabetes, type 2, the issue isn’t the amount of insulin (the issue in type 1), but the resistance of your tissues to the insulin produced. Either way, not enough sugar gets transported from the blood into the tissue and accumulates in higher concentrations in the blood. Thus, for the purposes of this article, the information applies whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Insulin is a pancreatic hormone that gets released into the bloodstream in the presence of sugars and it’s supposed to regulate your glucose levels so that they always stay in the optimal range. When there is no insulin present, there is not enough of it in your bloodstream, or your tissue is resistant to its function to transport sugar into cells, sugar molecules keep accumulating in your blood which can result in chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Is Protein Powder Good For Diabetics?
In addition to carbohydrates and fat, protein is one of the most important macronutrients our food is made of, and it plays a crucial role in practically every function of the human body. From building muscle and stimulating the digestive system to carrying oxygen through your blood and balancing out your hormones, protein is essential for your health and well-being.
Protein powders are a good source of protein for diabetics as they might help them reach optimal amounts. Many people with diabetes struggle to get their daily recommended intake so taking it in the form of a supplement might be beneficial. Additionally, increasing their protein intake might help improve[8] their blood sugar management as it may help them reduce and balance their overall carbohydrate intake.
How To Choose The Best Diabetic Protein Powder?
When choosing the best diabetic protein powder, there are a few important factors to consider.
High-Quality Ingredients
The formula has to have the best quality ingredients and feature no inflammatory agents like gluten, soy, sugars, or artificial additives. These ingredients can only contribute to inflammation and worsen the symptoms of diabetes by spiking up your blood sugar levels and causing further complications.
Additional Superfoods
Some brands may even add specific micronutrients and superfoods that help lower your blood sugar levels and promote better insulin sensitivity.
Easy To Absorb And Digest
Another important aspect of the best protein powder for diabetics is how easily and rapidly it’s digested. Those who are struggling with diabetes or other health conditions where their digestion might not be on point need a fast-acting protein they’ll easily digest and absorb.
Third-Party Tested
Try to choose a protein powder that’s grass-fed whether it’s a whey protein powder, or organic no matter the source, and third-party tested to ensure the purity and potency of the product in question. Additionally, look for any other certifications as they can help increase trust in the brand and speak to its high-quality production.
Vegan
If you’re struggling with digestive issues and whey protein powder seems to be hard to break down because you’re sensitive or intolerant to dairy, try a high-quality vegan protein powder and see how it affects you.
Taste, Texture, And Price
Last, but not least, the best protein powder for diabetics is also going to be affected by the taste, texture, and price point. Many brands, especially plant-based ones, are aware of the potentially bad and earthy taste of clean protein, so they are doing their best to add other ingredients to improve the flavor. Just make sure there are no unnecessary added sugars and artificial sweeteners.
Texture-wise, people like to go for as creamy as possible so that it can perfectly blend into a protein shake. While that can certainly be the case with whey protein powder, it’s rarely possible with plant-based protein. That’s why they often contain ingredients like xanthan gum and guar gum to smooth out their texture and make them more appealing. Keep in mind that guar gum is natural, but xantham gum is not.
And finally, the price. How much you choose to spend on your protein powder will directly dictate which brand you’ll go for. There is a wide range of prices on the market; just make sure you’re choosing high-quality products.
How To Take Protein Powder Safely?
If you’re worried about going overboard with your protein intake or wondering if is there a safe way to consume protein powder, start with the recommended serving dose. When you start experiencing some unpleasant symptoms, try taking half the serving and see what happens then. If you still experience digestive discomfort, try switching to another protein supplement brand.
Final Thought
Protein powders exist in all forms and come from a variety of sources. When struggling with diabetes, the most important question is whether the product you chose has the potential to cause a spike in your blood sugar levels or not. Choose wisely and always read the ingredient label.
Frequently Asked Questions
Diabetics can have protein powder, but they need to make sure the ingredients are pure and contain no sugars or other potential compounds that might cause a spike in their blood glucose levels or worsen inflammation. While some artificial sweeteners can impact glycemic index, stevia won’t.
The best protein powder for diabetics is one that doesn’t cause a glucose spike or digestive issues.
Some of the best brands of protein shakes for diabetics include Transparent Labs, Naked, Future Kind, and Orgain.
Yes, studies show a positive effect of whey protein on people with type 2 diabetes. However, if you’re dealing with lactose intolerance or sensitivity, you should stay away from whey concentrate and either take isolate, hydrolysate, or plant-based protein powders.
The current daily recommended[9] protein intake for adults with diabetes is 1.5-2 grams per kilogram of body weight.
+ 9 sources
Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here
- Thomas and Miller, J. (1995). Sugars and blood glucose control. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, [online] 62(1), pp.212S227S. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/62.1.212s.
- Hayes, A. and Cribb, P.J. (2008). Effect of whey protein isolate on strength, body composition and muscle hypertrophy during resistance training. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, [online] 11(1), pp.40–44. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/mco.0b013e3282f2a57d.
- Mignone, L., Wu, T. and Horowitz, M. (2015). Whey protein: The ‘whey’ forward for treatment of type 2 diabetes?. World Journal of Diabetes, [online] 6(14), pp.1274–1274. doi:https://doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v6.i14.1274.
- Aro (2015). Glucose and insulin responses to meals containing milk, lactose, glucose or fructose in subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Diabete & metabolisme, [online] 13(6). Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3329123/.
- Ajami, M., Seyfi, M., Abdollah Pouri Hosseini, F., Naseri, P., Velayati, A., Mahmoudnia, F., Zahedirad, M. and Hajifaraji, M. (2020). Effects of stevia on glycemic and lipid profile of type 2 diabetic patients: A randomized controlled trial. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine, [online] 10(2), pp.118–127. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7103435/.
- Daly, J.J., Tomlin, J. and Read, N.W. (1993). The effect of feeding xanthan gum on colonic function in man: correlation with in vitro determinants of bacterial breakdown. British Journal of Nutrition, [online] 69(3), pp.897–902. doi:https://doi.org/10.1079/bjn19930089.
- CDC (2023). What is diabetes? [online] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html.
- Gannon, M.C., Nuttall, F.Q., Saeed, A., Jordan, K.A. and Hoover, H. (2003). An increase in dietary protein improves the blood glucose response in persons with type 2 diabetes. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, [online] 78(4), pp.734–741. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/78.4.734.
- Hamdy, O. and Horton, E.S. (2011). Protein Content in Diabetes Nutrition Plan. Current Diabetes Reports, [online] 11(2), pp.111–119. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-010-0171-x.
Written by:
Karla Tafra, Nutritionist
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
