If you are into health, fitness and exercise, it is very likely that you have consumed a protein drink at some point in time. There are obviously many benefits connected with consuming protein drinks and shakes as part of a planned exercise and diet plan. However, if you are diabetic, finding a protein drink to accompany your exercise and diet can be challenging.
To begin, it is important to stress that if you are diabetic, you must consult a doctor before consuming and protein drink products. Individuals living with diabetes are more likely to develop complications such as kidney disease, therefore, consuming too much protein could potentially be harmful. However, your doctor will be able to assess your current health to determine whether you are ready or not to start using protein drinks.
If you do receive the go ahead from your doctor, consuming protein drinks could be beneficial for improving the symptoms and effects of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes typically occurs later in life as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle. Consuming too many calories combined with little exercise is the main cause of type 2 diabetes, as a result, it often accompanies obesity. Therefore, following a low calorie diet is critical for losing weight which will help to improve or even remove the effects of the disease. In recent years, protein has been shown to help control hunger more effectively than carbohydrates and fats with a similar calorie count. Whey protein in particular increases levels of serotonin within the brain helping to reduce stress, this in turn can lead to less snacking throughout the day. High levels of stress stimulate the release of cortisol within the body which leads to fat being stored under the skin and around vital organs. Furthermore, protein drinks could help to manage hunger, reducing snacking later in the day keeping calorie intake low. This is vital for managing the symptoms of diabetes.
So which protein drinks can diabetics use? Below I will identify the advantages and disadvantages of three different products.
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Dymatize – Iso 100
https://www.powerbody.co.uk/dymatize/iso-100.html
This drink provides 25g of protein which could keep your hunger pangs at bay. This in turn will lead to less snacking throughout the day helping you to manage your calorie intake. It also comes in a broad range of different flavours from Birthday cake to Orange Ice cream. The sugar content is on the lower end of the scale at 0.5g per portion which could help to manage blood sugar levels effectively. It’s also fantastic for muscle repair and muscle growth, which is another great bonus.
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Universal Nutrition - Animal Whey
https://www.powerbody.co.uk/universal-nutrition/animal-whey.html
Similarly, this drink contains 25g of protein which will keep you feeling fuller for longer. Animal Whey is made with whey protein making it more effective at keeping hunger away for longer. It also contains just 1.27g of sugar per serving which makes it highly suitable for diabetics. The downside is that it only comes in two flavours: Chocolate and Strawberry, meaning that it may not appeal to all tastes.
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Musclemeds - Carnivor
https://www.powerbody.co.uk/musclemeds/carnivor.html
Diet Fuel RTD provides slightly less protein per serving with 23g of protein but is completely sugar free. It also comes in popular flavours such as chocolate, strawberry and more. It is a beef-protein isolate, with the protein content coming entirely from beef, rather than milk like the previous proteins.
Out of the three products above, Musclemeds Carnivor would be most suitable for diabetics. It contains 23g of protein which is similar to its competitors, however it uses beef protein, making it more effective at controlling hunger pangs throughout the day. It also scores lowest for sugar content making it great for diabetics as it will help to control blood sugar levels.
Toby Hone
BSc (hons) Sport and Exercise Science
