Best Sugar-Free Protein Shakes For Diabetics

The use of protein powders is quite common among those striving to lose weight or build muscle mass and understandably so. Protein drinks offer a nutritional supplement that offers a variety of benefits, including building muscles, repairing tissues, and stimulating the formation of enzymes and hormones. (1) Of course, they also tone the muscles and help in weight loss.

Many protein shakes available in the market include added sugars, along with vitamins and minerals. Naturally, this renders them out of reach for diabetics.

Does this mean that diabetics cannot reap the benefits of supplemental protein? Surely not! Fortunately, there is plenty of protein shakes for diabetics that can remedy the situation.  Let us help you find the best sugar free protein shakes for weight loss!

So what are the best protein shake for diabetics?  Are there also weight loss shakes for diabetics?

The Best Protein Drinks For Diabetics

It is undoubtedly tempting to indulge in protein drinks considering the numerous benefits that they offer. (2)People with diabetes often struggle to lose weight and build muscles. Sugar-free protein shakes can make things easier for them in more ways than one. Want to know more about the protein shakes suited for diabetics?

1.   Peanut Butter And Jelly Protein Shake

Naturally, people with diabetes cannot indulge in regular peanut butter and jelly sandwich due to high carb and sugar content. But you can still get the best of both worlds via this sugar-free protein shake. It is low in sugar and yet has abundant benefits to offer that wouldn't be able to resist.

All you need is cottage cheese, protein powder, strawberry jelly, and peanut floor. Blend all the ingredients with water, and the perfect protein drink for diabetics will be ready in no time,

2.   Rice Protein Shake

Get yourself a rice protein powder, and you can create delicious protein shakes for diabetics in no time. Rice protein is an alternative to whey protein powder. Add some nuts and flax seeds to the mix, and you can get abundant health benefits in one glass.

3.   French Toast Protein Shake

Diabetics can only dream of indulging in French toasts. The powdered sugar and syrup truly make it out of bounds. However, you can make a sugar-free protein shake that will satisfy your cravings. The primary ingredients of this protein drink include protein powder and cottage cheese.

4.   Apple Cinnamon Soya Shake

You can get your desired sugar-free protein shake using a combination of soy and dairy milk along with apple cubes and cinnamon. Apples are excellent for diabetics. So this protein shake will ensure that you get a fiber-rich drink that will keep your hunger cravings in check.

5.   High-Protein Chocolate Smoothie

Diabetics often feel disheartened as they can't indulge in their favorite sweet treats. Fortunately, this protein smoothie can help you out. Use almond milk that is rich in protein along with protein powder and cottage cheese to make the shake. Unsweetened cocoa powder can provide you with the much-needed chocolate flavor.

Get The Best Of Both Worlds With The Perfect Protein Drink

Protein powders are mostly divided into plant-based and dairy-based categories. (3) These beneficial shakes are found in many formulations. But which of these can qualify as the best? This can be confusing indeed. After all, you have to determine which of the various protein powders can be trusted to contain the real thing without any preservative and chemical ingredients.

So how can you decide which protein powder to make the shake? Apart from the threat of consuming something detrimental to health, there is also the task of actually making the protein powder. The recipe can be time-consuming. Fortunately, there is one protein shake for diabetics that can solve all the problems.

Vieve protein water is a sugar-free hydrating protein drink formulated especially for all those busy and active people out there. This protein water comprises a unique collagen peptide formula. It is devoid of any preservatives and is also gluten-free. Vieve protein water, in addition to being sugar-free, is also 100% dairy and lactose-free. It contains zero carbs.

It is well known that diabetics have to avoid weight gain to minimize the risk of complications. This protein drink makes it easier to control weight as it keeps your appetite satiated while simultaneously ensuring that your carb intake doesn’t increase.

So if you want something that would ensure faster uptake of protein in the body while simultaneously stimulating muscle growth and development, this one can be an excellent choice as it is enriched with essential amino acids and BCCAs.

Why Protein Drinks For Diabetics Should Be Lactose-Free And Gluten-Free?

We don't need to remind you that sugar is a form of carbohydrate. There is a reason that people with diabetes are advised to keep the carb content in their diet in check.  Furthermore, people with diabetes also have the additional problem of high cholesterol. This can increase the risk of heart attack if one is not conscious about his diet. It is imperative that diabetics monitor their diet closely to avoid the risk of complications. The rule must be followed while selecting the protein drinks for diabetics as well.

Lactose can significantly elevate blood glucose levels. This is because an enzyme, lactase, can split up lactose into glucose and galactose, which can be detrimental to diabetics. Therefore, it is best to ensure that the protein drink consumed by diabetics is not only sugar-free but also devoid of lactose. This will ensure that the drink doesn't worsen their condition or make it difficult to control their blood sugar levels.

Similarly, it is best for diabetics to avoid protein drinks comprising of gluten. Of course, gluten isn't directly harmful to people with diabetes, and it isn't exactly necessary to follow a gluten-free diet if you have diabetes. But there are a couple of points to be considered.

Although gluten isn't detrimental to your health directly, it can still elevate blood sugar levels in particular cases. Furthermore, some links have been noticed in type 1 diabetes and celiac disease. Celiac disease is a severe form of gluten intolerance.

Both celiac disease and type 1 diabetes are autoimmune conditions. Those with celiac disease are at an increased risk of developing other autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes. As per studies, 19.7% of people having type 1 diabetes also have celiac disease. Celiac disease makes it challenging to manage the symptoms of diabetes. This happens because consuming gluten in such cases leads to inflammation of the gut lining, which in turn alters the rate of food absorption in the gut.

Therefore, it is best if people with type 1 diabetes refrain from consuming anything that contains gluten. It is a safer option to opt for those protein drinks for diabetics that do not have gluten as the ingredient. After all, you wouldn't want to place your health at any unnecessary risk.

There is no evidence that suggests the association of gluten with type 2 diabetes. However, it has been established that a gluten-free diet reduces the risk of obesity. Since people with diabetes have to keep their weight in control and cholesterol levels in check, it makes sense to avoid gluten.

How To Select The Right Protein Shakes For Diabetics

One has to be quite careful while selecting sugar-free protein shakes. Although many manufacturers claim to have no chemical ingredients or added sugars in the formula, few can live up to the expectations. If you want suitable protein drinks for diabetics, some important points have to be considered.

• First things first, never go for a protein shake with sugar listed as one of the added ingredients. Although it does sound obvious, you will be surprised how often people miss this. Read the list of ingredients in the protein shake carefully and only go for the ones that are labeled without added sugar.
• The best protein shakes for diabetics are the ones with low carbohydrates. The concentration of carbs shouldn't exceed 15 grams per serving.
• Whey protein powder is the best choice for diabetics, as has been substantiated by studies. Whey protein stimulates the secretion of insulin in diabetics and therefore plays a crucial role in controlling blood sugar levels. (4) So if you want the best protein shakes for diabetics, go for the ones that include whey protein.

What Are The Benefits Of Protein Drinks For Diabetics?

Why is it worth the effort to look for suitable diabetic shakes? How can protein water be good for diabetics?

It is common knowledge that diabetics need to control their weight to avoid complications. However, this is easier said than done. Owing to diabetes, the person feels hungry all too often, making it tricky to keep the caloric intake in check. This is where the diabetic shakes can help you out.

Protein shakes take quite a bit of time to digest compared to carbohydrates. As a result, they ensure that you feel full and satiated for a long time. Once you consume the protein drink, you wouldn't feel hungry for a considerable period. This ensures that hunger pangs don't threaten your efforts to keep your caloric intake in check.

This has been proved via a study conducted in 2003 wherein it was proved that a high protein diet helps in controlling type 2 diabetes. (5)

But What Are The Best Sugar Free protein shakes For Weight Loss?

Any protein shake that is low or no sugar should also help with weight loss.   The key is to find a high-protein source which you can easily digest and helps you feel fuller to control your cravings while avoiding sugar.   A good example if a collagen-based protein drinks such as Vieve Protein Water which has 20g protein and is sugar free.   As this drink uses a collagen protein powder source - it is dairy free and much easier to absorb by the body and can stop you feeling bloated like whey and milk based protein drinks.

Points To Consider Before Using Sugar-Free Protein Shakes

Using protein shakes drinks for diabetics is indeed tempting. After all, who wouldn't want to make full use of everything that they have to offer? But there are certain risks involved that one needs to be cautious about. (6)Nothing is worth jeopardizing your health. Therefore, if you are contemplating on using protein shakes, make sure that you take the required precautions.

• Protein powders used to make protein shakes are dietary supplements. A lot of times, there is no saying what the powder actually contains. Therefore, while selecting the protein, you have to ensure that you opt for a reputable brand that gives value to its customers' health.
• There is a lack of research as to the long-term effects prolonged use of protein supplements can cause. So you have to keep a close check on your health. The best option is to discuss it with your doctor before you head out on your quest to find the best protein drinks for diabetics.
• Those prone to allergies have to be careful while consuming sugar-free protein shakes. They can impede digestion due to the presence of lactose. If you experience any kind of gastrointestinal discomfort with protein shakes, it is advisable to look for other options.
• Many protein drinks claiming to be sugar-free actually have added sugars and calories. They can increase your caloric intake significantly. Therefore, ensure that you only consume those protein shakes that do not have sugar and keep your caloric count in check.

There is no specific time to consume protein drinks. This solely depends on your fitness goals and preferences. So don't worry about using sugar-free protein shakes at particular times. You can decide when to take it depending on the purpose and benefit you want to extract from it.

Will The Protein Shakes Worsen Your Sugar Levels?

Not necessarily. The one thing that you have to keep in mind is that all protein drinks aren't the same. The packaged ones have a high sugar content that is highly unsuitable for diabetics. But you can always look for healthier options and extract full benefits from the protein drinks. Once you find the right protein shake for diabetics, you wouldn't have to worry about compromising your health.

Conclusion

Those with diabetes have to undergo frequent checkups and tests. They have to keep their weight under control. It is equally imperative to keep cholesterol levels in check. Therefore, it is advisable to use protein shakes with high-quality ingredients that do not have any chemical ingredients. This will ensure that you don’t end up putting your health in any unnecessary risk in your earnest to reap the benefits of high-protein content.

Using diabetic shakes is an excellent idea but only in moderation. Keep in mind that excessive protein in the diet can damage the liver and lead to several side effects (7). Don't put unnecessary strain on your body. Don't overdo it in your earnest to make the most of the benefits of protein shakes for diabetics.

Why Vieve Protein Water Is a Good Choice For Diabetics

Interested in trying a sugar free protein solution?  Vieve's collagen protein waters have 20g protein per bottle, with zero sugar and only 80-85 calories per bottle.    Made with a hydrolysed collagen formula, our protein waters dissolve rapidly into your body without the bloating or after-effects of other protein drinks and powders.

Have you tried our new vegan protein waters?   They are the easiest plant-based protein top-up ever!  Each bottle has 10g protein, zero sugar fat dairy and only 50 calories.  Available in two refreshing flavours:  Wild Cherry & Peach & Orange.

You can pick-up our protein water protein drinks in the UK from Amazon, Ocado, or directly via our shop.  Learn a bit more about why you should drink Vieve here.