The number of notable athletes with diabetes in the history — including Jay Cutler, Lewis Marnell, Adam Morrison, Chris Dudley to name a few — just proves that it still possible for athletes to get diabetes despite being physically active. The massive amounts of nutrients that athletes are known to load up on can still lead to metabolic imbalances and in some cases, exercising may not be enough to improve the insulin sensitivity.
It is therefore important for athletes to have a grasp on how nutrition and insulin levels affect them. It is particularly important to pay attention to their carbohydrate intake to avoid flooding their body system with the excess amount of glucose that can delay their performance on the playing field.
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Who Needs Protein Bars
Protein is the chief macronutrient for athletes necessary for stronger muscles and faster recovery, a reason protein bars made their debut in 1986 — to fuel athletes a high energy and protein-packed snack for their training demands. Athletes with diabetes and other individuals with high sugar blood issues can go for best protein bars for diabetics to rip the same protein benefits without triggering an insulin resistance.
Healthy and nutritious, best protein bars for diabetics are also for everyone looking for quick pick-me-up snack that’s brimming with nutrients. Not only are the best protein bars for diabetics low in sugar and carbs content, there are also best protein bars for diabetics with calories that fitness individuals can go for.
What are Protein Bars for Diabetic Athletes
As opposed to conventional high-glycemic protein bars, best protein bars for diabetics have a reduced carb and sugar content yet still loaded with protein which makes them an easy nutritional fix for athletes with diabetes condition. They are a convenient source of protein that involves zero kinds of preparation as compared to famed protein powders, ideal for athletes need quick nutrition-on-the go before and after training.
Many of the protein content from best protein bars for diabetics comes from animal by-products with whey being the most popular. It is also possible that the protein is sourced out from soy, rice, and other plants ideal for those who are allergic to dairy proteins. Many manufacturers of best protein bars for diabetics use sugar alcohol like maltitol or glycerin which are considered ‘low net impact carbs’ that keep calories and alcohol content relatively low. Stevia, an FDA approved artificial sweetener is also a good sugar-getaway for diabetics along with tagatose and monk fruit extracts.
Sugar, honey, and glucose, on the other hand, contributes to the net impact carbs that can raise blood sugar levels and are one thing to watch out for. The best protein bars for diabetics should have 15 to 20 grams of protein and should not exceed 20 grams of carbohydrates, 10 grams of sugar and 5 grams of fat.
As a nutritional snack, best protein bars for diabetics are additionally packed with vitamins which helps an enhanced performance for endurance athletes. Most of these nutrients are derived from whole-based foods like dried fruits nuts, whole grains, and greens.
What Are the Benefits of Protein Bars for Diabetic Athletes
Best protein bars for diabetics isn’t just a suitable alternative snack to sugar-laden foods. The added benefit also extends to your health and fast-paced lifestyle.
A Convenient Source of Protein – Gone are those days where one must cook whole meat just to rip of protein before hitting the gym. Today best protein bar for diabetics holds a spot for athletes who are always on-the-go and for everyone looking for a more convenient source of protein before going on training.
Fuels a Workout – Although they don’t give energy as much as energy bars do, best protein bars for diabetics deliver a quick and stable energy you need to pump up an intense training without wearing yourself out easily.
Doesn’t Interfere with Body’s Sugar Level – Best protein bars for diabetics won’t raise your blood glucose level because they are low glycemic and uses a sugar substitute that can significantly increase your glucose tolerance while washing away. your sweet sugar cravings,
Supports a Healthy Muscle Growth – As a food snack high in protein, best protein bars for diabetics contribute to essential amino acids that optimize muscle growth. When taken as a post-workout snack, best protein bars for diabetics will kickstart muscle tissue repair beneficial for the recovery of the muscle that might have been overused during an intense training.
Improves Metabolic Markers – The high protein content included in best protein bars for diabetics is what satiates you, promoting a feeling of fullness to tide you over in-between meals. Studies are also clear that protein-packed foods such as the best protein bars for diabetics significantly reduce insulin levels which what helps you burn more fat during an exercise.
What Are The Precautions of Protein Bars for Diabetic Athletes
It is important to know what on your protein bar because even those products labeled as “sugar-free” or “no sugar added” can still contain sugar that can affect your blood sugars dramatically. Most of this sugar content is hidden in the number of carbohydrates. As mentioned, best protein bars for diabetics should contain 0 to 20 grams of carbs of which sugar content should on be 10 grams or lower. Avoid bars containing, high amount of sucrose, brown rice, honey, and fructose corn syrup.
Best protein bars for diabetics can provide protein that contributes to half of the recommended daily allowance for protein. Do eat in moderation because excess protein levels in the body — be it coming from dietary sources or on the best protein bars for diabetics can lead to weight and nutrient malabsorption.
There’s a lot to be said on relying on foods bars for a sizeable portion of your food intake. Replacing a well-balanced diet with protein bars can deny you of the nutrients and phytochemicals abundant in natural food. Best protein bars for diabetics should only supplement your food intake.
What Are The Best Protein Bars for Diabetic Athletes
Not all protein bars are good for diabetic athletes as some are high in sugar much like candy bars that do nothing but worsen one’s underlying medical condition. These following food bars are categorized as the best protein bars for diabetics to give athletes the much-needed protein boost but without unwanted sugar-build-up.
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Quest Nutrition Protein Bar Coconut Cashew
Overview:
Delivering high 20 grams of protein is this product from Quest Nutrition for those active athletes out there who could need more protein than what other best protein bars for diabetics offer. The protein sourced out from whey protein isolate and milk protein isolate that makes up to 9 essential amino acids essential for muscle repair and growth.
It’s sweetened with stevia and erythritol. Unfortunately, the reason for the little gram of sugar content is due to the use erythritol, an artificial sugar sweetener avoided by most health conscious. Nevertheless, it still one of the best protein bars for diabetics out there considering it has the right nutritional breakdown to help you regulate blood sugars. Each serving is loaded with 17 grams of fiber to help you better control your blood sugar levels.
The nuttiness of the cashew and natural sweetness of the coconut is “the real treat” according to its consumers. It’s great alone but can also be easily elevated to your other high-protein recipes.
Pros
- Boasts of high protein and fiber and a significant source of calcium
- Each serving only amounts to 1 gram of sugar and 4 grams of net carbs
- Speeds up metabolism while maintaining a normal sugar level
Cons
- Gas and bloating side effect due to high fiber content
Keep Healthy Organic Low Glycemic 12g. Protein Sea Salt Brownie Bar
Overview:
When it comes to clean profile ingredient, nothing comes close to Keep Healthy. Their Sea Salt Brownie is just among their best protein bars for diabetics based on low-glycemic whole food, all-natural and organic ingredients. The protein is derived from an organic whole grain of brown rice, one of the healthiest source of protein. In fact, in a study published in 2013 Nutrition Journal suggests that brown rice protein is just as effective as whey protein in delivering a ripped body composition and exercise performance.
Every serving provides a decent 12 grams of protein in addition to be a major source iron vitamin C, calcium, and folate — all in just under 20 grams of carbs of which is just 7.5 grams of sugar. Chicory root is another highlight ingredient which according to studies has a potential to treat diabetes in addition to managing erratic blood sugar levels, making this bar one of the best protein bars for diabetics out there.
Flavor-wise, you can taste genuine flavors of the real food ingredients coming from organic unsweetened chocolate that’s even enhanced with organic coconut nectar and sea salt, a balanced sweetness and savory taste to say the least.
Pros
- Delivers 12 grams of protein each serving
- Uses a superfood chicory root to stabilize blood sugar levels
- Perfect as pre-workout, post workout or as an appetite suppressant snack
Cons
- For some consumers, the flavor could need more enhancement
NuGo Slim Chocolate Mint Protein Bar
Overview:
NuGo Nutrition is a company dedicated to creating protein bars made for those with sugar dietary restrictions. If you want the highest protein you can get out of their best protein bars for diabetics however, their chocolate mint flavored bar is your best option. In just 17 grams of carbs, NuGo Slim Chocolate Mint Protein Bar is brimming with 18 grams of protein. And it isn’t just any kind of protein, it uses the fast-acting quality protein whey isolate, that explains the rush of energy most of the consumers claim after eating the bar.
It also comes clean in its ingredient profile. This is one of the best protein bars for diabetics that uses the healthiest sweeteners. Such is a dark chocolate which has a fewer amount of carbs so it’ won’t raise your sugar level as much as standard milk chocolate, which explains its low 3 grams of sugar content. Besides the USP grade vegetable glycerin, it’s sweetened with natural chicory root which also adds to its high-fiber content. Consuming fiber-rich food said to lower cholesterol levels and addition improving body’s ability to control blood glucose level.
Pros
- One of the best protein bars for diabetics with the lowest tested published glycemic Index score
- High in protein and fiber
- Delivers a fast-acting energy to kickstart a workout
Cons
- A bit messy to eat
SimplyProtein Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars
Overview:
This bar from Simply Protein stands for what the best protein bars for diabetics should be — high in protein, low in carbs, low in sugar and low in calories. This protein bar only has 150 grams of calories, the lowest among the featured best protein bars for diabetics here. In addition to 15 grams of protein, it’s also a significant source of fiber, calcium, and iron. The best part? You can rip all the nutritional benefits in just 1 gram of sugar each serving, one of the best protein bars for diabetics indeed.
It uses soy protein isolate as the best source protein. Other seen ingredients include a “Chicory Root Fiber, Roasted Peanuts, Vegetable Glycerin, Cocoa, Tapioca Starch, Natural Peanut Butter, Natural Flavor and Salt” — nothing more and nothing less, truly living up to its name of being a simple protein bar. All their ingredients are non-GMO certified which means they are not genetically processed which adds up this bar having more nutritional value. This SimplyProtein bar is in classic chocolate and peanut butter flavor for those who are a fan of the combo.
Pros
- A reliable source of plant-based protein, fiber, and minerals
- Suitable for people pursuing a vegan, gluten-free and low-carb diet
- Made of simple, whole food non-GMO ingredients
Cons
- The light texture is too airy for others liking and not very filling
No Cow Protein Bar Lemon Meringue Pie
Overview:
If you could squeeze in a little more protein in your diet, wouldn’t you want to? This No Cow Protein Bar has 22 grams of protein in just 1 gram of sugar. What’s more to this product is the use of the plant-based ingredients that makes this bar easily fits into every kind of diet. The protein itself is derived from a blend of brown rice and pea protein to provide you the nutrition you need without the dairy.
Lemon Meringue Pie is the most highly lauded flavor among No’ Cows other flavors of best protein bars for diabetics. It’s as close as you can get for a nice slice of pie without messing with your blood sugar bank.
Pros
- Scores the highest protein content among the other best protein bars for diabetics
- Support optimal energy levels
- Suitable for every diet including diabetic, lactose intolerant, vegan and gluten-free diet
Cons
- Addicting flavor.
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Our Choice For The Best Protein Bar for Diabetic Athletes
With the high amount of 20 grams of protein and the lowest amount of sugar (1 gram), Quest Nutrition Protein Bar Coconut Cashew has hit the green light for athletes with diabetes who needs an extra protein boost to cope up with their demanding level of physical activity. The use of the blend of quality protein and added calcium makes it as a great a workout snack, breakfast bar or just a healthy snack to satiate you in between meals. Other bars might be higher in protein but doesn’t have the added nutritional benefits. The use of high soluble fiber and other ingredients that speed up metabolism and helps you better monitor your blood sugar levels gives this product a slight advantage. It’s a popular protein bar snack among diabetics but it also has a huge population of non-diabetics consumers which says a lot about this product.
