Diabetes is a condition that affects the way that your body uses blood sugar, or blood glucose. Eating small, frequent meals with the right balance of protein, carbohydrates and fat might assist you in keeping your blood glucose levels in check. Protein shakes may be a convenient snack if you have diabetes, provided you select carefully to avoid products that are high in sugar, or contain sugar alcohols, which might affect blood glucose levels.
Diabetes
Diabetes is on the rise, affecting an estimated 25.8 million people in the U.S. reports the statistics for 2010 provided by the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. With diabetes, your body is unable to produce or properly use insulin, a hormone your pancreas releases to move glucose from your blood to use as fuel, and you will accumulate too much glucose in your blood. Risk for complications of diabetes, such as cardiovascular disease or nerve damage, decreases with proper management of blood sugar levels.
Diabetes Diet
A "diabetes diet" is one where your carbohydrate and sugar intake are matched with the right combination of fats and protein to ensure blood glucose levels remain in balance. Medical nutrition therapy is an approach the American Diabetes Association endorses, promoting the importance of proper nutrition in management of diabetes symptoms and complications. A position statement published in January 2008 in "Diabetes Care" suggests treatment planning for diabetes that includes a combination of medical nutrition therapy, along with weight management programming, focusing on calorie-restricted diets that are low in fat and carbohydrates.
Whey Shakes
Whey is one of two different proteins in milk. The other protein is casein. Whey is a dietary supplement used for medical conditions such as age-related bone loss, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Whey protein is shown in some studies to have a positive impact on blood sugar in diabetics, reports MayoClinic.com. Research published in the July 2009 issue of "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" suggests whey protein might improve postprandial lipemia levels, or levels of fat in the blood, following a high-fat meal. Whey protein might serve to protect you from cardiovascular disease, a complication of diabetes.
Cautions
Whey protein powders that use maltose as an ingredient might interfere with certain brands of blood glucose monitors. While artificial sweeteners are typically safe for you to consume as a diabetic, sugar alcohols, such as malitol and sorbitol, might contribute to an increase in blood glucose levels. Select a whey protein powder that has the right combination of protein, carbohydrates and fats for your diet plan. If your selected brand of protein powder contains sugar or carbohydrates, account for those accordingly before adding additional fruit, juices or yogurt to your shake. Discuss the use of whey protein powders with a registered dietitian or your doctor before using them.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Diabetes; March 2011
- Diabetes in Control.com; Maltose, Galactose, and Xylose May Yield Falsely Elevated Glucose Readings; 2005
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; Whey Proteins in the Regulation of Food Intake and Satiety; B.L. Luhovvy, et. al; December 2007
- "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Differential Effects of Protein Quality on Postprandial Lipemia in Response to a Fat-Rich Meal in Type 2 Diabetes: Comparison of Whey, Casein, Gluten, and Cod Protein; L.S. Mortenson, et al.; July 2009
- "Journal of Nutrition"; Dietary Whey Protein Lowers the Risk for Metabolic Disease in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet; H.G. Shertzer, et al.; February 2011
- MayoClinic.com: Whey Protein
- MayoClinic.com; Artificial Sweeteners: Any Effect on Blood Sugar?; Maria Collazo-Clavell; September 2010
- "Diabetes Care"; Nutrition Recommendations and Interventions for Diabetes A Position Statement of the American Diabetes Association; January 2008
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse; National Diabetes Statistics, 2011; February 2011
Member Comments