Protein Shakes For Diabetics To Lose Weight

Protein shakes and smoothies are all the rage these days. These popular pre- and post-workout drinks can include almost any ingredient under the sun, so if you have diabetes, it’s natural to wonder how they’ll affect your blood sugar. That said, there’s no reason to shy away from these drinks. There are countless diabetes-friendly recipes available online. Here, we round up our top eight protein shake and smoothie recipes for people with diabetes.

Sweeteners, fresh or frozen fruit, and fresh vegetables may also be added. No one food is off-limits if you have diabetes. Still, it’s important to limit refined carbohydrates that are more likely to spike your blood sugar.

Eating fat with carbohydrates may help slow digestion. This can slow down the length of time it takes sugar to hit your bloodstream. Sources of fat that taste great in protein drinks include:

Meal Replacement Shakes For Diabetics

If possible, add fiber to your protein drink. It helps slow your body’s absorption of sugar. Oatmeal, ground flaxseed, chia seeds, and wheat bran are high in fiber and are protein-drink friendly.

Some protein drink recipes call for maple syrup or Stevia. Maple syrup is high in sugar, but can be enjoyed sparingly. Stevia is a non-nutritive, no-calorie sweetener that won’t raise your blood sugar. When making shakes and smoothies, use the least amount of sweetener possible.

Many pre-made protein shakes and smoothies are loaded with refined sugar. Your best bet is to make them at home where you can control the ingredients.

High Protein Smoothies (no Protein Powder)

A regular peanut butter and jelly sandwich made with sugar-rich jelly and high-carb bread is usually off-limits for people with diabetes. Now you can drink your favorite comfort food with this thick and creamy protein shake from Dashing Dish. It provides a triple-dose of protein from protein powder, peanut butter, and cottage cheese. Low-sugar or no-sugar jam adds just the right amount of sweetness.

French toast is often topped with powdered sugar and then drenched in syrup, so it’s generally not considered a diabetes-friendly food. That’s where this protein shake, also from Dashing Dish, comes in. It gives you the decadence of French toast, without the extra sugars. The shake’s main ingredients are protein powder and cottage cheese. Stevia and a touch of maple syrup provide sweetness.

This shake is made with rice protein powder, an alternative to whey protein powder, and fresh or frozen fruit. It also includes nuts and flaxseeds for healthy fat and fiber. A surprising ingredient in this shake is borage oil, which has anti-inflammatory properties.

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You shouldn’t use borage oil if you’re pregnant or if you take warfarin or seizure medications. The oil may also cause digestive problems. If you can’t use borage oil or if you’re concerned about the side effects, you can omit it from this recipe. You’ll still reap the benefits of a tasty protein shake.

This protein shake from Tarladalal.com is reminiscent of Grandma’s apple pie. It’s made from fiber-rich apple cubes, a combination of soy and dairy milks, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Fresh apples are a great fruit option for anyone concerned about their blood sugar levels.

If you’re lactose intolerant or vegetarian, Diabetes Self-Management has an excellent smoothie option for you. It’s made with protein-rich soy milk and silken tofu. Frozen strawberries, half of a small banana, and almond extract add flavor. If you’ve never tried silken tofu before, this is the perfect time to introduce the flavor to your palate.

Breakfast Smoothies That Won't Spike Your Blood Sugar

If you’ve been feeling deprived of your favorite sweet treats, look no further. This icy smoothie from Sugar-Free Mom takes care of your chocolate cravings. It’s made from protein-rich almond milk, cottage cheese, and protein powder. The smoothie’s decadent chocolate flavor comes from unsweetened cocoa powder and liquid chocolate Stevia.

Instead of adding strawberries and bananas to a bowl of boring oatmeal, blend them with yogurt, almond milk, and a little Stevia. The result is a protein-rich smoothie from Diabetics Rejoice! that will give you more than enough energy to last until lunch. The recipe calls for PaleoFiber powder, but you can also substitute chia seeds or flaxseed meal.

Berries are nothing short of antioxidant superfoods. They contain a type of natural sugar known as fructose. According to a 2008 study, fructose doesn’t raise blood sugar levels as quickly as carbohydrates like bread, pasta, and table sugar do. Even so, it’s a carbohydrate and should be eaten in moderation.

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The main ingredients in this slushy protein smoothie by DaVita are whey protein powder and frozen blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries. Liquid flavor enhancer is also added. The recipe calls for ½ cup of whipped cream topping, but you may eliminate this to reduce the overall sugar content.

Has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Diabetes is an increasingly common condition that causes blood sugar levels to rise higher than normal. There are several types of diabetes, but type 2 diabetes is the most common form. Type 2 diabetes is often linked to being overweight or obese and must be medically managed to prevent serious diabetes complications.

Along with making lifestyle changes and taking medication, people with diabetes must keep a watchful eye on their blood glucose levels and the foods they eat throughout each day. Whether you’re watching your weight or looking for a quick diabetes-friendly meal on the go, a meal replacement shake may be a good — or not so good — option for those with diabetes. Of course, a healthy diet of whole foods is always best, but shakes can provide a nice “safety net” for when a healthy meal is not an option.

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While meal replacement shakes may fill you up, even the best weight loss shakes don’t provide complete dietary nutrition. If you rely on weight loss or meal replacement shakes regularly, you will still need a healthy balance of real food each day, including:

Also, not all meal replacement shakes are created equal; even the best weight loss shakes designed for people with diabetes may fall short when it comes to complete nutrition. For example, the Glucerna Rich Chocolate Shake is gluten-free and great for people who are lactose intolerant. But the Glucerna Shake is only enough to replace a moderate snack or part of a meal — not an entire meal. You will need to read the label and find out what’s missing when it comes to fat, protein, carbohydrates, and calories — and then fill in with added whole foods as needed.

Some of the best weight loss shakes are high in calories — even if they are low in carbs and high in protein — and calories do count. While these meal replacements can help maintain your blood sugar level, they may cause weight gain, especially if you don’t track the number of calories you ingest each day, and higher weight almost always translates to less blood sugar control. In addition, the average adult only needs 46 to 56 grams of protein a day,  according to the Mayo Clinic, depending on weight and health. If you are already eating a varied, healthy diet, adding more protein with a meal replacement shake may not be necessary.

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Anita N. Ramsetty, MD, an endocrinologist at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, says it's important to review the ingredients list as well as the nutrition label of shakes before buying and trying. Skip shakes with sugar or high fructose corn syrup listed as one of the first three ingredients, and look out for too much protein. If your kidneys are not functioning properly, you should be careful not to eat too much protein, as it can cause health complications. Always check with your doctor before adding anything new to your diabetes diet.

Glucerna is gluten-free and a good choice if you’re lactose intolerant. Glucerna protein shakes, which are formulated both for people with diabetes and for those looking to watch their weight, come in four flavors: Rich Chocolate, Homemade Vanilla, Creamy Strawberry, and Classic Butter Pecan, with the chocolate and vanilla also available in snack-sized portions. Overall, they're a good choice. “Their [calorie and] carb content places these shakes in the range of a moderate-sized snack or part of a meal, ” Dr. Ramsetty says.

BOOST Glucose Control is a nutritional drink designed to be a mini-meal or snack, and is made specifically for people on a type 2 diabetes management plan. It’s also gluten-free, and the company notes it's suitable for lactose intolerance, making it a good choice for people with these dietary concerns.

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“With 16 grams (g) of protein, 7 g of fat, and only 16 g of carbohydrate (about 1 carb exchange), this is a great fit for someone trying to lose weight and manage their blood sugar, ” says Laura Cipullo, RD, CDE, of Laura Cipullo Whole Nutrition Services in New York City. “This nutrition profile is one of the better options available to individuals trying to find a diabetes-friendly shake.”

Almased is a meal-replacement drink mix made from soy protein, honey enzymes, and skim-milk yogurt powder. Because it’s a powder, if you mix