Best protein powder for diabetics to gain muscle

This is our review for the best protein powder for diabetics.

The best protein powder for people who are suffering from this condition are low-carb.

In this article, we have put together a list of protein powders suitable for diabetics, both animal and plant-based, lactose-free and non-lactose-free, paleo, egg white based, and more.

And after going through all of these, we found the Opportuniteas Grass Fed Whey Isolate to be the best overall protein powder for diabetics.

But if you want to see the other options and read more about them, let’s get started.

Our Best Protein Powder For Diabetics

• Opportuniteas Grass Fed Whey Isolate (Best Protein Powder For Diabetics Overall)
• Isopure Zero Carb (Best Keto Protein Powder For Diabetics)
• Legion Whey+ Isolate (Best Tasting Protein Powder For Diabetics)
• Isopure Infusions Whey Isolate (Lightest Protein Powder For Diabetics)
• Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder (Best Paleo Protein Powder For Diabetics)
• Now Sports Whey Isolate (Best Whey Protein Powder For Diabetics)
• Now Sports Egg White Protein Powder (Egg White Protein Pick)
• Naked Pea Protein Isolate (Pea Protein Pick)
• Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Powder (Best Plant-Based Protein Powder For Diabetics)

9 Best Protein Powders For Diabetics Reviewed

All of the powders included on this list are low or zero carb, have a very low glycemic index, and are considered the best protein powders for diabetics.

Always consult with your doctor before making changes to your diet - this includes the addition or change of supplements - to see if it is suitable for your particular situation.

Best Protein Powder For Diabetics Overall

30g ~ 1oz ~ 1/4 cup

Opportuniteas gives you the opportunity to enjoy the best protein powder for diabetics because it has only two ingredients: protein isolate and less than 1% lecithin from non-GMO sunflower to make mixing easier.

The unflavored version is ideal for different recipes, smoothies, and even coffee.

However, if you don’t want unflavored protein powder, you have the option to get the coffee flavor with the following nutritional values: 27g protein, 2g carbs, 0g fats, and 120 calories.

There are two other options in terms of flavor, but personally we would stay away from them because they are pretty high in carbohydrates.

Pros

• High-protein
  
• Minimal ingredients
  
• Easy to mix

Cons

• Limited flavor options

Sale

Opportuniteas Grass Fed Whey Isolate

This supplement from Opportuniteas is the best protein powder for diabetics overall, thanks to its high-protein, low-carb content, and high quality ingredients. Find out more about it on Amazon by pressing the button below.

Best Keto Protein Powder For Diabetics

30g ~ 1oz ~ 1/4 cup

The IsoPure Zero Carb is a perfect protein powder for diabetics, as well as for those who are on a ketogenic diet. It comes in 9 delicious flavors which will make your daily protein shake a treat.

Aside from the 25g of protein per serving, you are also getting 5g of BCAAs, and 4g of L-Glutamine, which makes this protein powder a great choice for bodybuilders and athletes.

In terms of mixability, it mixes easily with a shaker and the viscosity is smooth.

Pros

• 0-carb
• High-protein
  
• Good mixability
  
• Variety of flavors

Cons

• Sweetened with sucralose

Sale

IsoPure Zero Carb

If you are looking for a keto protein powder for diabetics, then this may be the choice for you. Press the button below to find out more on Amazon.

Best Tasting Protein Powder For Diabetics

30g ~ 1oz ~ 1/4 cup

If you are looking for the tastiest protein powder for diabetics, you might have just found your winner. Naturally sweetened with a bit of stevia, Legion Whey+ Isolate comes in 11 flavors to die for, and has a low enough number of carbohydrates to never cause any type of problem.

In a single serving of this protein powder, you get 22g of non-GMO, lactose free protein, and 5.6g of BCAAs to help support the muscle protein synthesis after a tedious workout.

And with no artificial junk in it, the Legion Whey+ Isolate is a great option for everyone.

Pros

• Delicious
  
• Variety of flavors
  
• Naturally sweetened

Cons

• May need a blender to mix properly

Legion Whey+ Isolate

The Legion Whey+ Isolate is the best protein powder for diabetics as far as taste is concerned. Find out more about it on Amazon by pressing the button below.

Lightest Protein Powder For Diabetics

30g ~ 1oz ~ 1/4 cup

If you like the feeling of drinking a citrusy drink by the pool, Isopure managed to turn this protein shake into that exact feeling. Not only is it low carb which makes it a suitable protein powder for diabetics but it is also very light and fresh.

Regardless of your choice in terms of flavor, you are guaranteed to have a fun and refreshing drink which will fuel your protein hungry muscles pre or post workout. And the best part? It contains only 5 ingredients and it is naturally sweetened with stevia.

Pros

• New, funky flavors
  
• Light and fresh
  
• Only 5 ingredients
  
• Naturally sweetened

Cons

• The flavor intensity can be overwhelming to some

Sale

Isopure Infusion Whey Isolate

Enjoy a light and fruity protein powder for diabetics without worrying about your blood glucose levels. Find out more on Amazon by pressing the button below.

Best Paleo Protein Powder For Diabetics

30g ~ 1oz ~ 1/4 cup

Collagen is increasingly sought after in the sports nutrition industry, thanks to its benefits like tissue and cartilage repair, improved gut health, and better skin. These collagen peptides can be a perfect choice for you if you are following a paleo diet where you care about having just a couple of ingredients in your powder.

Being easily soluble in cold and hot beverages alike, this protein powder for diabetics is ideal to be added to your coffee, smoothies, or even in your meals. Thanks to its lack of flavor, it can be added to any product of your choice without altering its taste.

Pros

• Improves skin
  
• High protein
  
• Improves joint health

Cons

• Sometimes you will be sent a product which doesn’t have hyaluronic acid, as advertised. The lack of hyaluronic acid can take away some of its benefits

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder

If you are looking for the best protein powder for diabetes rich in peptides, then this product from Vital Protein may be the right one for you. Press the button below to find out more on Amazon.

Best Whey Protein Powder For Diabetics

30g ~ 1oz ~ 1/4 cup

If you are looking for an all natural, high-protein, protein powder for diabetics then NOW Sports Whey Isolate may be a good choice for you. It takes up our #1 spot in the “best whey” category, and that is thanks to its high protein content, zero sugar, and minimal ingredients coming only from the milk it’s made of.

Being unflavored, you can mix it in your favorite drinks and recipes. However, if you are going to make a shake out of it, you may find that it doesn’t mix that well. The shake gets all foamy and you will have to wait a couple minutes before the foam settles.

Pros

• High-protein
  
• All natural ingredients
  
• Versatile, can be used in most drinks and recipes

Now Sports Whey Isolate

High-quality, yet reasonably priced protein, this is the best protein powder for diabetics if you are looking for whey isolate. Press on the button below to find out more and purchase the Now Sports Whey Isolate on Amazon

Egg White Protein Pick

30g ~ 1oz ~ 1/4 cup

Whey protein is good but if you want something for a change, you should try the egg white protein powder from Now Sports. The taste is neutre since it is unflavored, and you get only 2g of carbs per serving (20g) of this all natural egg white powder.

It doesn’t mix well with a spoon, which we always love seeing! Certain additives are needed to avoid clumping, but this protein powder for diabetics only has egg whites in it, nothing more! To avoid clumping, use a shaker or a blender and you will be fine.

Oh and since it only contains egg whites, you can use this product as a safe replacement for recipes that call for raw egg whites. And for all these reasons combined, this product from NOW Sports is our top pick for egg white protein powder.

Pros

• Only made of egg-whites
  
• Can be used in different recipes without altering the taste
  
• Good animal protein source other than whey

Cons

• Gets clumpy if you try to mix with a spoon

Sale

Now Sports Egg White Protein Powder

The egg white protein is the best protein powder for diabetics who also suffer from lactose intolerance. Find out more about this product on Amazon by pressing the button below.

Pea Protein Pick

30g ~ 1oz ~ 1/4 cup

The Pea Protein Isolate from Naked Nutrition is our pick for the #1 pea protein product. Not only is it high-protein and low-carb, but it is also the cleanest pea protein we know, having only one ingredient: non-GMO yellow pea protein.

Even though with plant-based protein it is better to have a blend of protein coming from different sources, due to most plant-based protein not having all the necessary amino acids to be considered a complete protein; as we were saying, even though it is better to have a blend, with pea protein it is different.

Pea has the complete amino acid profile, meaning that it is a complete protein just as if you had used an animal based product. And with it being so low in carbohydrates, this is an ideal protein powder for diabetics.

Pros

• High-protein
  
• Great mixability
  
• Only one ingredient

Cons

• Bad taste, consider adding it to smoothies or other meals that can cover its taste

Sale

Naked Pea Protein Isolate

If you are looking for quality plant-based protein powder for diabetics, then the yellow pea protein isolate from Naked may be the choice for you. Press on the button below to find out more and purchase the Naked Pea Protein Isolate on Amazon

Best Plant-Based Protein Powder For Diabetics

30g ~ 1oz ~ 1/4 cup

The Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Powder has a serving size of 45g of which you will get 21g of protein, 15g of slow digesting carbs, and 4g of fat. The high number of carbs may discourage you, however, keep in mind that this is plant-based protein and those carbohydrates are slow digesting carbs which will not spike your blood sugar levels.

Sweetened with a bit of erythritol, this delicious protein powder draws its protein from organic rice, pea, and chia seeds. Whether you want to enjoy a post workout shake or add it to smoothies, you can’t go wrong with the fudge cake flavor which will turn your snack into a real treat.

However, when I gave it to some members of my family I was surprised to see some of them absolutely loving it - just like myself -, while others politely held their nose before swallowing. So I guess it depends on the individual.

Either way, if you want to give it a try, you may find this product from Orgain to be the best protein powder for diabetics who are also plant based.

Pros

• Complete source of protein
  
• Has low digesting plant based carbs
  
• Delicious taste

Cons

• You may find the taste absolutely delicious or absolutely awful, there is no in between

Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Powder

If you are looking for the best protein powder for diabetics sourced from a plant-based blend, you can't go wrong with Orgain. Press on the button below to find out more and purchase the Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Powder

What is diabetes?

Chances are, if you suffer from this condition you already know what diabetes is. This small section of the article is directed at those who don’t know what it is.

Diabetes is a group of conditions characterized by a high level of blood glucose - also known as blood sugar. There are two types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes - insulin dependent
  
• Type 2 diabetes - insulin resistant

Now allow me to tell you how our body processes the food we eat in order to provide all the cells with the energy they need, and what happens when you have diabetes and this system doesn’t work properly.

1. 1

   When you eat carbohydrates it is broken down into glucose, which is a type of sugar
   

2. 2

   The glucose moves into the bloodstream and the body detects that the blood glucose level is rising
   

3. 3

   In response to that, beta cells in the pancreas produce a hormone called insulin
   

4. 4

   The bloodstream takes the glucose and insulin to every cell in our body that needs it

Insulin is what allows the glucose to get into the cells and be used for energy.

Type 1 diabetes - insulin dependent

In type 1 diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas, the cells that produce insulin, are destroyed by the immune system. The reason for this is unclear, but it’s thought genetic factors play a major role.

Having this issue, less insulin is produced, therefore much of the glucose stays in the blood instead of being able to enter the cells.

This type of diabetes is characterized by:

• Early onset, usually before the age of 20
  
• Sudden symptoms like thirst, tiredness, cuts that don’t heal, etc.

Since the body is unable to produce enough insulin, it needs an insulin injection. Hence, the name for this type of diabetes being “insulin dependent”.

Type 2 diabetes - insulin resistant

In type 2 diabetes the pancreas produces enough insulin but the cells are not responsive to insulin. Insulin can’t bind to the cells to allow the glucose to enter, therefore both insulin and glucose stay in the blood.

Genetic factors predispose you to type 2 diabetes but it is believed lifestyle plays a major role too.

Obesity, inactive lifestyle, and an unhealthy diet are associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 is characterized by:

• Adult onset, after the age of 30
  
• Symptoms like increased thirst, dry mouth, fatigue, etc. which develop gradually

Type 2 diabetes accounts for 80-90% of all diabetics.

Even though the pancreas produces insulin the cells are not responsive to it. Therefore, type 2 diabetes is also called “insulin resistant”.

How to choose the best protein powder for diabetics?

Diabetic people have the same protein needs as non-diabetic people, and if you know what to choose, it can make diabetes much more bearable.

Whether you are an athlete who wants to put on muscle mass and gain strength, or a senior who would like to enjoy dessert that doesn’t put your life at risk, there are numerous choices of protein powders you can choose from.

So what to look for in a protein powder for diabetics?

• Amount of carbohydrates
  
• Ingredients
  
• Sugar/sweeteners
  
• Proprietary blends
  
• Protein type

Amount of carbohydrates

With carbohydrates raising blood sugar levels, naturally you want to steer away from protein powders rich in carbohydrates, especially since they are usually simple, refined sugars.

Ideally, you will get protein powder with close to 0 carbs.

And you may think: oh, keto products?

Yes, and no.

Yes because, as we said, you want zero carbs which is basically the ketogenic diet.

No, because if your product has “keto” on the label its price point is going to shoot through the roof because that is how marketing works.

Ingredients

This is not a problem that only concerns diabetic people, but people in general.

If the protein powder you want to get has a list of ingredients as long as your grocery shopping list after a two-week vacation, then you are better off without it.

Ideally, you want a protein powder that doesn’t contain more than 10 ingredients.

However, when it comes to ingredients, remember that less is always more

Sugar/sweeteners

As a diabetic you should keep clear of products containing sugar or fructose.

The best diabetics protein powder will be either flavorless, or sweetened with stevia, monk fruit, or, as a last resort, xylitol.

For general health reasons, we recommend you to stay away from artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose.

Proprietary blends

This term is pretty common in the dietary supplement industry. If proprietary blends was a person, it would be that person who talks a lot but has nothing to say.

Usually, supplement companies say their proprietary blends offer benefits above and beyond any product. And just as often, these ingredients are not listed. And when they are listed, the manufacturer doesn’t list the amount of each ingredient.

And you know why?

Because it’s in so little quantity that it won’t make a difference either way.

Other than raising the “perceived value” of the product, that is.

Protein type

There are several types of protein powders available on the market, with several options for plant-based powders and several options for animal based powders.

The ones we recommend are:

• Whey concentrate
  
• Whey isolate
  
• Egg white protein powder
  
• Beef protein powder
  
• Pea protein powder
  
• Plant-based blend

Whey concentrate

This type of protein powder is extracted from whey, a byproduct of milk. To be more precise, all whey protein powders are made from cow milk.

The properties of whey concentrate are:

• 80% protein by weight
  
• 20% milk sugars including lactose, fats, and flavoring
  
• The cheapest whey option

Whey isolate

To get whey isolate, the whey concentrate protein is further processed to get rid of the fat, and, more importantly, the lactose. So if you are looking for a lactose free protein powder, this is the choice for you.

The properties of whey isolate are:

• 90% or greater protein by weight
  
• 10% or less is flavoring
  
• Just a bit more expensive than whey concentrate

Egg white protein powder

Most egg white protein powders on the market are made the same way: the whites are separated from the yolks, then they are pulverized and dehydrated.

The properties of egg whites protein powder are:

• 80% protein by weight
  
• 20% other vitamins and minerals found in egg whites, maybe flavoring
  
• Usually flavorless

Beef protein powder

This is another good choice as a protein powder for diabetics. However, don’t expect your powder to come from processed fillet mignon but rather hooves, hide, and other “leftovers” once the actual meat is cut.

The properties of beef protein powder are:

• 63% protein by weight
  
• 37% creatine, flavoring, other minerals and vitamins
  
• Has creatine built-in

Unfortunately, we were unable to find and test a beef protein powder which was not sweetened with sugar. If you find one sweetened with stevia or monk fruit though, you are good to go.

Pea protein powder

Even though peas contain carbohydrates, it was proven that they can slow digestion, smoothing out the blood sugar levels. Furthermore, unlike other plant-based protein sources, pea protein is a complete protein source.

The properties of pea protein are:

• 90% protein by weight
  
• 10% carbohydrates, flavoring, vitamins and minerals
  
• A pretty cheap protein option

Plant-based blend

Most plant-based protein sources are not complete proteins, meaning that they lack some of the important amino acids. However, if you mix different types of plant protein you will get a complete profile of amino acids.

Aside from pea protein, if you want a plant-based protein make sure to get a blend.

Our verdict

People who suffer from diabet need to keep their blood glucose levels in check, in order to prevent life threatening situations. However, their necessary protein intake is no different than that of any other individual.

With the correct choices, diabetics too can enjoy the ease of supplementing their protein needs through protein powder.

Work with your dietician to determine your best dietary options. And tell them about Opportuniteas Grass Fed Whey Isolate, which we found to be the best protein powder for diabetics, thanks to its high quality, simple, and minimal ingredients, lack of flavor which makes it suitable for a wide range of recipes, and its good mixability.