How to Choose the Right Protein Powder

Living with type 2 diabetes can feel like a full-time job. On top of managing your chronic illness, you might also have a family to take care of, an actual full-time job, be in school, and other day-to-day life tasks. Food and nutrition are crucial in diabetes management, but this can fall to the wayside when life gets busy.

Protein powder is nutrition in a pinch

Protein powder can be a helpful product to have on hand when you're rushing out the door and don't have time to eat but still want to make sure you're prioritizing your nutrition.

How to pick out the right protein powder

There are many protein powders on the market to choose from. Even if you follow a particular diet, like vegan, keto, paleo, or gluten-free, plenty of protein powders are available. The first step in choosing a protein powder is finding an option that falls into your dietary preference.

Calculate the cost per serving

Many protein powders can also be expensive. Some protein powders can act as a complete meal replacement, making each serving a better deal.

Check to see the number of servings in each container. Divide the total costs by the number of servings to calculate the cost per serving and if this price is worth it.

Check the key nutrients

Most protein powders offer anywhere between 50 to 100 percent of your daily required protein intake. On top of this, some protein powders also include other vital nutrients, such as healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Getting in all of your essential nutrients is crucial for staying healthy, especially when living with diabetes. If you plan on buying protein powder, you might as well look for one that also offers certain nutrients that you may be deficient in or that you to supplement with.

Be aware of allergens

If you have any sensitivities to dairy or soy, ingredients like whey can be an issue because this is a dairy byproduct, and dairy is one of the most common allergens.

Low-sugar protein powder options

Sugar is often added to protein powder to improve flavor. If a high amount of sugar is added to the product, this can cause your blood sugar levels to spike.

Even if the product has a high amount of protein and other essential nutrients, a high sugar content might not make it worth consuming. Remember, there are about 60 different names for sugar on nutrition labels, so be sure to read the label thoroughly.

Opt for simple ingredients

More often than not, protein powders contain unfamiliar and highly processed ingredients. Some ingredients, like isolates, gums, and natural flavors, can cause gut issues. These processed ingredients can cause health issues like digestive issues, bloating, gas, and abdominal pain.

Protein powder is versatile

Proper nutrition is a huge part of type 2 diabetes management, but staying on top of nutrition can be tricky when life gets busy. Simple recipes, meal prepping, and certain products can help you get back on track. Protein power is one of these products that can provide excellent nutrition while still easy to prepare and take with you out the door.

If you live with type 2 diabetes, be sure to check the amount of sugar per serving in the protein powder and if the ingredient list suits your dietary preferences.