The 11 Best Protein Powders for Diabetes [2024]
Think protein powder is just for gaining muscle? Think again! It can also be a beneficial supplement to make sure you’re getting enough protein in your diet and while helping manage blood sugar levels for people with diabetes.
If you are looking to purchase a protein powder, I know it can be overwhelming. That’s why I did the work for you and rounded-up the 10 best protein powders for people with diabetes. All taste delicious, are easy to find, and are dietitian-approved.
This post contains affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own.
Is protein powder good for diabetes?
If you have diabetes and struggle to get enough protein in your diet, a protein powder may help.
Since protein helps regulate blood sugar levels and prevents it from going too high or too low, supplementing with protein powders can be a helpful way for people with diabetes to meet their protein needs while controlling their blood sugar.
Many protein powders only provide protein, so they should not be used as a meal replacement nor should they be your only source of protein. Keep in mind, some varieties do add additional sugars, so you want to be on the lookout to find the best protein powder for blood sugar management.
If you’re considering adding a protein powder to your meal plan, I recommend using a protein powder as a snack in between meals or pairing it with a source of fat and slow digested carbohydrates for a more substantial meal. This will add more variety to your diet while helping to help keep blood sugars more consistent throughout the day.
Which protein powder is best for diabetes?
People with diabetes can have almost any protein powder, but ideally it should be one with minimal to no added sugar and come from a high quality protein like whey, soy or pea protein.
Choosing the right type of protein should be a bit more individualized. For instance, whey protein is a good option for many people with diabetes, but some may benefit from a whey protein isolate rather than concentrate. Whey isolate undergoes more processing, which results in a higher protein content with less carbs, lactose and fat.
If whey protein causes an upset stomach, you have specific food allergies, or are vegan, you may want to choose a plant-based protein powder instead.
How to find the best protein powder for diabetes?
Protein powder can be a great way to keep you full throughout the day while keeping blood sugars balanced. When looking for the best protein powder for diabetes, aim for a one that has the following:
- Low to moderate carbohydrates
- A high quality protein, such as whey, soy or pea protein
- Little to no added sugar, artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols
- No artificial flavors
- A taste you actually enjoy
- A price you feel comfortable with
- Reputable brands with third party testing
10 Best protein powder for diabetes
Here are 10 of the dietitian-recommended best protein powders for diabetes available in-store at Walmart, or most retailers, and online from Amazon.
1. Orgain Organic Protein Powder
- Calories: 150
- Total carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: <1g
- Sugar: 0g
- Added sugars: 0g
- Sugar alcohols: 5g
- Protein: 21g
- Fat: 4g
Orgain Organic Protein Powder comes in a variety of flavors like vanilla and cookies and cream. Each serving provides 21 grams of plant-based protein and is made with stevia and erythritol, which means it has no added sugars and no artificial sweeteners. Mix with water or milk for a quick breakfast or post-workout shake or use it for baking to give your muffins and cookies a protein boost.
2. Orgain Organic Protein + Oatmilk Protein Powder
- Calories: 160
- Total carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Added sugar: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 3.5g
Organic Protein + Oatmilk is packed with four organic protein sources: pea protein, oat powder, brown rice protein, and chia protein. This blend gives you 20 grams of high-quality, complete protein, which is important for supporting muscle mass, metabolism, and promoting satiety… aka less hunger.
Since this is a 2-in-1 protein powder, the simple addition of water replaces the need to add an alternative milk and helps lower the amount of carbs and fat at a reduced cost.
3. Orgain Keto Collagen Protein Powder
- Calories: 90
- Total carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Added sugar: 0g
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 5g
Orgain Collagen Protein Powder is an unflavored collagen option that can be mixed into almost anything. This powder pairs 10g of collagen protein with 5g of fat (from MCT oil) to slow the absorption of protein so your body uses it for recovery, rather than converting to glucose and raising your blood sugar. Just note, this is an incomplete source of protein and is not meant to be used as a meal replacement, but you can add this unsweetened collagen powder to just about anything for a boost or protein.
4. Promix Unflavored Whey Protein Powder
- Calories: 120
- Total carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 1g
- Added sugar: 0g
- Sugar alcohols: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 1.5g
This ProMix whey protein is a great option for people living with diabetes, thanks in large part to its quality ingredients. It’s made by a registered dietitian and exercise physiologist, and the unflavored version only contains two ingredients—whey protein concentrate and sunflower lecithin.
It is free of artificial sweeteners and colors, as well as potential allergens like gluten and soy. You can also buy the flavored varieties, but keep in mind these options have about 4 grams of added sugar, so be sure to account for that if you are counting carbohydrates for blood sugar management.
5. Vega Protein and Greens
- Calories: 120
- Total carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Added sugar: 0g
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 2g
Made with 20 grams of plant-based protein and real green vegetables like spinach, kale, alfalfa and broccoli, Vega Protein and Greens adds a boost of protein along with antioxidants. Each serving provides 120 calories and no added sugar (sweetened with stevia) making it the perfect addition to smoothies or just mixed with water.
6. Bob’s Red Mill Whey Protein Powder
- Calories: 80
- Total carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 1g
- Added sugar: 0g
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 1g
Bob’s Red Mill Whey Protein Powder is unsweetened and simple — not like a lot of the protein powders you find on the market today. With only 3 grams of carbohydrates per serving, it’s an easy way to increase protein intake without adding excessive carbohydrates and fat. Since it’s a whey protein concentrate, it’s heat stable and great for everything from smoothies to baking.
7. NOW Sports Whey Protein Isolate
- Calories: 110
- Total carbohydrates: <1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Added sugar: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 0.5g
NOW Sports Whey Protein Isolate offers another high quality whey protein option that is both bioavailable and easily digested. Since whey isolate undergoes more processing than concentrates, it results in a higher protein content with less carbs, lactose and fat. This powder is a great option for most people living with diabetes, but especially athletes looking for a high quality source of complete protein.
With no added sugar, you can mix with water and serve with fruit for a nourishing, post-workout shake.
8. Garden of Life Organic Whey Protein Grass Fed
- Calories: 120
- Total carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
- Added sugar: 0g
- Protein: 21g
- Fat: 2g
Garden of Life Protein comes from the whey of pasture-fed, grass-fed cows. This whey protein also includes 2 billion CFU of probiotics from a bifidobacterium strain for easier digestibility. The flavored versions contain 0 grams of added sugars and are sweetened with organic erythritol and stevia.
9. Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah! Organic Max Protein Powder
- Calories: 140
- Total carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 1g
- Added sugar: 0g
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 6g
I love this hemp protein powder for its simple ingredient list—just hemp seeds and oregano extract. In addition to 20 grams of plant-based protein, the ground hemp seeds contribute omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, iron, potassium, magnesium, zinc, which can help support your body’s natural functions.
Since it’s unflavored and unsweetened, this protein powder can be added to a variety of different foods and drinks like smoothies, oatmeal, soups, or use hemp protein to replace up to 25% of the flour in baked goods.
10. Naked Egg Protein Powder
- Calories: 110
- Total carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 0g
- Added sugar: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 0g
Egg white protein powder is a wonderful option for those with allergies or sensitivities to whey. If you struggle with the consistency of some plant-based proteins or don’t want the creaminess of a dairy-based option, this egg-based powder could be for you. Some studies suggest that whey protein is slightly better for muscle growth than egg white protein, but the evidence is sparse overall.
With only 2 grams of carbohydrates per serving and no artificial sweeteners. you won’t have to worry about it spiking your blood sugar.
Best Sugar free protein powder for diabetes
Just because you see “sugar-free” doesn’t mean it’s the best option when it comes to diabetes. It’s important to check the ingredients to see if sugar substitutes were used. Many “sugar free” protein powders use large amounts of alternative sweeteners or sugar alcohols that may cause GI issues in some individuals.
Always read the labels and track your individual tolerance to any protein powder you try. You should also speak to your physician and dietitian to see which diabetes-friendly protein powder is best for your individual needs.
Here are my favorite sugar free protein powders from the list above:
The bottom line:
Protein powder can be a helpful supplement for people with diabetes to meet their protein needs while controlling their blood sugar. Be sure to look for a protein with little to no added sugar or artificial sweeteners and use a high quality protein like whey, soy or pea protein like the ones on this list.
Ways to Use Protein Powder
Aside from mixing with water and enjoying a protein shake, try boosting the protein content of foods that are usually high in carbs and low in proteins, such as oatmeal, pancakes or fruit smoothies with your powder. I show you how in some of my favorite recipes below: