It is always important to make sure that we eat a healthy diet, but for those of us who have medical conditions, such as diabetes, it is even more important to make sure that we get the nutrients we need, without getting too many calories, carbohydrates, and cholesterol, which can lead to even more health issues. Often, when people are not getting the nutrients they need from their diets, it is recommended that they use protein supplements, which may be a whey supplement.
How Diabetes Affects the Body
When a person has diabetes, their body is unable to produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that the body needs to convert starches, sugars and more into energy, instead of storing these foods as fat. There are four main types of diabetes: Type 1 or Juvenile Diabetes; Type 2 Diabetes; Gestational Diabetes; and Pre-Diabetes. Nearly 20 million Americans are affected by diabetes and many more are at risk, especially those who are obese or have kidney issues.
Those who have Type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day, usually by injection, although these days many diabetics are opting to use an insulin pump that provides the insulin they need and regulates when it gets into the body. Type 2 diabetics can usually manage their condition with a healthy diet that is rich in all of the proper nutrients. Often, using a whey protein supplement can be a great advantage for getting everything that should be in your healthy diet.
Gestational diabetes is a condition that shows up in the latter stages of pregnancy and often disappears as soon as the baby is born. Many women who have never had a history of diabetes end up with gestational diabetes and report no other problems after the child's birth. In most cases, children born to women with gestational diabetes do not usually end up with diabetes.
There are a number of symptoms that people with diabetes will notice. Some of these symptoms include:
- Vision problems, such as blurriness
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Extreme hunger
- Extreme thirst
- Weight Loss
- Fatigue
- Moodiness
Using a Whey Protein Supplement Can Help
There may be times when many diabetic patients are not getting all of the protein they need from dietary sources. In such cases, it is not uncommon for physicians to recommend that their patients use supplements, including a whey protein supplement, to get the nutrients they are not getting from their diets. Supplements are great to have when your diet is not enough, but it is also important to remember that unless you are on a liquid diet for medical reasons, you need to get most of your nutrients from dietary sources. Supplements are just that: supplements.
What Is Whey?
Using a whey protein supplement is often a great way to get the protein, as well as other nutrients, that you need, especially if you are a diabetic on a low calorie diet. Whey is an animal-based protein that is a milk derivative. Whey comes from the cheese-making process and is a complete protein, meaning that it has all eight of the essential amino acids and all 14 of the non-essential amino acids that are in protein. Whey is the liquid that is left over once the curds have been separated from cream. In addition to being a complete protein, whey is also an excellent source of many other vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that we all need in our diets, especially if we are diabetics.
Types of Protein Supplements that Are Good for Diabetic Diets
Depending on the needs of the individual patient, there are a number of different types of protein supplements available, including protein powders, liquid protein supplements, protein snacks, and liquid protein shots. Many of these are a whey protein supplement, which is a complete protein and very easy to digest.
Protein Powders - These are the most versatile types of protein supplements and can be used in a number of different ways. Protein powders can be used as additives to any recipe and the flavorless protein powders will not change the taste or texture of your meals. Flavored powders such as chocolate, vanilla, fruit punch, or berry can be used to make delicious protein-rich shakes and smoothies that are excellent meal replacements, which are often recommended for diabetic diets.
Liquid Protein Supplements - These are very popular, mainly because they are pre-mixed and ready to drink. These also make delicious and healthy meal replacements. It is important to read the ingredients on liquid protein supplements, to make sure that they are all right for your diabetic diet. Many liquid protein supplements contain sugar and carbohydrates, which is not what you should be looking for. Instead, find supplements that are low in fat, sugar, and carbohydrates, which there are many available. If you are looking for a whey protein supplement, there are many liquid supplements made from this source of protein.
Protein Snacks - We all need to have nutrients throughout the day and it is important for everyone, diabetics included, to have healthy snacks between meals. There are all kinds of great protein snacks that are ideal for diabetic diets, including protein bars and jerky treats. Some of the protein bars are even chocolate based, so they will satisfy your sweet tooth while providing nutrition.
Whether you are a diabetic or someone who is in perfect health, it is important to follow a healthy diet that has all of the nutrients that our bodies need. If you are diabetic, your physician is best suited to help you plan a diet that will be helpful for your condition and you should not make any dietary changes, at least any significant ones, without speaking with your physician first.
About Protica Research
Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm specializing in the development of protein-rich, capsulized foods (dense nutrition in compact liquid and food forms). Protica manufactures Profect protein beverage, IsoMetric, Fruitasia and more than 100 other brands in its GMP-certified, 250,000 square foot facility.
You can learn more about Protica at http://www.protica.com
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