[highlight color=”pink” content=”%3Cp%3EDiabetes%20is%20the%207th%20leading%20cause%20of%20death%20in%20the%20United%20States%20and%20leads%20to%20complications%20including%20blindness%2C%20kidney%20disease%20and%20amputations.%20As%20many%20as%2030.3%20million%20people%20struggle%20with%20some%20form%20of%20diabetes%20while%20another%2084%20million%20are%20at%20risk%20for%20developing%20it%20because%20they%20are%20currently%20in%20a%20condition%20called%20%E2%80%9Cpre-diabetes%E2%80%9D.%3C%2Fp%3E” /]
Statically the group with the most prevalence of diabetes is seniors (65 years or older). The annual costs are in the billions with most of that coming from the direct medical care of a diabetic. (The American Diabetes Association).
There are several things that people, especially those in the pre-diabetic category as well as those at higher risk for the condition can do to improve their health. These include becoming more active, trying to get to a healthier weight and eating a healthier and more balanced diet plan.
While there are many diet plans to choose from, each person must find the one that works for them in terms of their preferences, beliefs, and lifestyle.
Supplementing with meal replacement shakes can be a good choice but choosing the right one for a person with diabetes can be tricky. They must:
- Meet all nutritional needs without added sugars. Watch out for tricky terms that “hide” sugars on labels. Watch for the suffix “ose” which usually means sugar in one form or another. Fructose, for instance, is fruit sugar.
- Meet nutritional standards to qualify as a “meal” including adequate calorie count, proper amount of protein and other nutrients including vitamins and minerals.
- Should meet standards set by the person’s doctor. A new diabetic should be assigned a nutritionist to work with to help with meal planning and food choices especially during their early days of navigating the condition.
Learn to read labels especially meal replacements, snacks and other prepared items. Watch out for artificial ingredients like artificial sweeteners, colors, and preservatives.
Watch out for “healthy” sounded ingredients that can cause side effects and discomfort. Some common ones to watch for:
- Acacia gum: Typically used as a thickener and may also work as an appetite suppressant. Can cause side effects ranging from nausea and gas to bloating, indigestion, diarrhea.
- Erythritol: Sugar alcohol. Used as an artificial sweetener because it is not absorbed by the body leading to zero calories. It can also cause bloating, gas, nausea and indigestion.
Another ingredient that is frequently used is stevia or stevia extract. It is a natural ingredient that is many times sweeter than table sugar. It does not raise blood sugar levels at all and is generally considered safe for nearly everyone. However, there are some concerns about possible side effects including migraines. If you have frequent migraines or other types of headaches, use stevia with caution.
Talk to your doctor and get recommendations. Read labels and get informed. If you don’t recognize something research it.
Best Meal Replacement Shakes for Diabetics
[product_tables id=”1932″]
[product_tables id=”1934″]
[numbered-heading label=”Ample K- Ketogenic Formula ” /]
Ample K is the Ketogenic formula offered by Ample. It has no GMOs, no excess sugars or artificial sweeteners. It is gluten and soy free. It comes in a bottle as a dry powder, so you only have to add the liquid of your choice and shake. Ample K comes in two different meal sizes a regular meal is 400 calories, and a large meal is 600 calories. It is only available in 1 flavor which is described as a creamy vanilla with a hint of cinnamon.
[highlight color=”pink” content=”%3Cp%3EIt%20is%2073%26%2337%3B%20healthy%20fats%20(a%20blend%20of%20coconut%2C%20macadamia%20and%20sunflower%20oils%20plus%20chia)%2C%2014%26%2337%3B%20protein%20(grass%20fed%20whey%2C%20egg%20whites%20and%20pea%20protein)%2C%207%26%2337%3B%20fiber%20and%20prebiotics%20(chicory%20root%2C%20tapioca%2C%20and%20acacia).%20Six%20strains%20of%20probiotics%20provide%2040%20billion%20colony%20forming%20units%20(CFUs).%20Organic%20greens%20including%20wheat%20grass%2C%20barley%20grass%20and%20chlorella%20round%20out%20the%20nutrition.%3C%2Fp%3E” /]
Chlorella or green algae is often used as a supplement or a food additive because it can not only improve the immune system but may also help protect against the accumulation of toxic metals in the body. While safe for most people, it does have some potential side effects include allergic reactions, photosensitivity (sensitivity to light) gas and stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and discoloration of the stools.
[pros-and-cons pros=”-Easy to use pre-measured formula in a convenient, BPA free bottle.
-Balanced to be ketogenic friendly, high in MCT fats
-Contains organic greens, fiber, pre, and probiotics
” cons=”-Can be pricey
-No flavor variety available.
-Newer company ” /]
[call2action label=”See Product Details” link=”https://www.curedisease.com/recommends/ample-k/” color=”yellow” rel=”no-follow” target=”blank” /]
[numbered-heading label=”Glucerna Shake ” /]
[highlight color=”pink” content=”%3Cp%3EGlucerna%20is%20gluten%20free%20and%20available%20in%205%20flavors%3A%20butter%20pecan%2C%20chocolate%2C%20chocolate%20caramel%2C%20strawberry%2C%20and%20vanilla.%20There%20are%20several%20problems%20with%20using%20this%20as%20a%20meal%20replacement%20shake.%3C%2Fp%3E” /]
First, 180 calories is too low to count as a meal by itself for most people. Second, the extensive list of ingredients reads like any processed food- too many things and too many bad things. There are artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners as well as other filler ingredients here.
[pros-and-cons pros=”-Plenty of flavors. A variety pack is also available
-Convenient premade drink for on the go ease.
-The #1 doctor and nutritionist recommended brand for diabetics.
” cons=”-Artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners on an ingredient list that is just way too long.
-Watered down flavor
-Not enough calories to be counted as a “meal” by itself. ” /]
[call2action label=”See Product Details on Amazon” link=”https://amzn.to/2QCQG5O” color=”yellow” rel=”no-follow” target=”blank” /]
[numbered-heading label=”Dr. Berg’s Meal Replacement Shake with MCT and BCAA ” /]
[highlight color=”pink” content=”%3Cp%3EIt%20is%20dairy%20and%20soy%20free%20using%20pea%20protein%20instead.%20There%20are%2011%20grams%20of%20protein%20per%20serving%20but%20a%20mere%2080%20calories.%20Even%20as%20a%20snack%20that%20would%20be%20low%20but%20this%20is%20being%20sold%20as%20a%20%E2%80%9Cmeal%20replacement.%E2%80%9D%20For%20most%20people%20that%20would%20be%20far%20too%20little%20but%20for%20diabetics%20it%20could%20be%20dangerous.%3C%2Fp%3E” /]
It does contain fiber (5 grams), but most people say that they are not satisfied with this product.
[pros-and-cons pros=”-High in MCTs and BCAAs
-100% 30 day money back guarantee
” cons=”-Thin and watery consistency
-Not enough calories to count as a snack let alone as a meal.
-No flavor variety ” /]
[call2action label=”See Product Details on Amazon” link=”https://amzn.to/2EJusMU” color=”yellow” rel=”no-follow” target=”blank” /]
[numbered-heading label=”Grow Fit Ultra Low Carb Meal Replacement Smoothie Premix ” /]
[highlight color=”pink” content=”%3Cp%3EYou%20have%20the%20option%20of%20buying%20a%20variety%20pack%20as%20well.%20Each%20serving%20has%20at%20least%20500%20calories%20which%20makes%20this%20very%20good%20as%20a%20meal%20replacement.%20There%20are%2030%20grams%20of%20protein%20per%20serving.%20It%20is%20gluten%20free%20and%20preservative%20free.%20Each%20packet%20has%20a%20shelf%20life%20of%20around%206%20months.%3C%2Fp%3E” /]
One of the listed ingredients is “vanilla essence” which is an extract made from vanilla beans rather than using the beans themselves. It is different from the product called “vanilla extract” because of the extraction method used.
[pros-and-cons pros=”-Healthy ingredients
-4 flavors for variety
-No preservatives
” cons=”-Bad taste or in the case of some flavors “no taste.”
-Ingredient list is difficult to read at best leading to questions of possible misleading practices. ” /]
[call2action label=”See Product Details on Amazon” link=”https://amzn.to/3b6G4pr” color=”yellow” rel=”no-follow” target=”blank” /]
[numbered-heading label=” Glucerna Advance Nutritional Shake ” /]
[highlight color=”pink” content=”%3Cp%3EThe%20listed%20ingredients%20reads%20like%20a%20processed%20food%20label%2C%20and%20there%20are%20several%20different%20types%20of%20sugars%20included%20here.%20There%20are%20200%20calories%2C%2010%20grams%20of%20protein%2C%207%20grams%20of%20fat%20and%203%20grams%20of%20fiber%20per%20serving.%3C%2Fp%3E” /]
The Glucerna Advance only comes in chocolate or vanilla flavors.
[pros-and-cons pros=”-Convenient and ready to serve
-#1 brand recommended by doctors and nutritionists for diabetics
” cons=”-Too many ingredients including artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners
-Thin and watery
-Too sweet ” /]
[call2action label=”See Product Details on Amazon” link=”https://amzn.to/31CoW7I” color=”yellow” rel=”no-follow” target=”blank” /]
[numbered-heading label=”Fit 365 Gourmet Shake ” /]
It has 21 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber and 7 grams of carbohydrates total per serving. It also provides 10 billion CFU of probiotics per serving.It is gluten free, has no soy, aspartame, sucralose or GMO ingredients.
[pros-and-cons pros=”-High in probiotics which are necessary for good digestive health
-Contains colostrum which is shown to increase the immune system
-No artificial flavors, sweeteners or colors
” cons=”-May be too sweet for some people ” /]
[call2action label=”See Product Details on Amazon” link=”https://amzn.to/2QAHRcP” color=”yellow” rel=”no-follow” target=”blank” /]
[numbered-heading label=” Vegan Meal Replacement Shake by LyfeFuel” /]
[highlight color=”pink” content=”%3Cp%3EIt%20is%20made%20of%20nutritionally%20sound%20ingredients%20without%20any%20of%20the%20negative%20ingredients%20found%20in%20other%20shakes.%20It%20is%20available%20in%202%20flavors%20(chocolate%20and%20vanilla)%20and%202%20sizes%20(small%20and%20large).%3C%2Fp%3E” /]
[pros-and-cons pros=”-No artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols.
-25 whole food ingredients
-Vitamins, minerals, and probiotics
-Vegan, Non-GMO, Soy and dairy free. Keto friendly
” cons=”-Gritty texture
-Bad Taste
-May cause serious bloating and discomfort
-Not enough calories to be a good meal replacement shake.” /]
[call2action label=”See Product Details on Amazon” link=”https://amzn.to/3bca4Am” color=”yellow” rel=”no-follow” target=”blank” /]
Final Thoughts
[highlight color=”pink” content=”%3Cp%3EDiabetes%20can%20be%20confusing%20and%20difficult%20to%20manage%20condition%20especially%20for%20people%20who%20are%20reluctant%20to%20make%20the%20necessary%20changes%20in%20their%20lives%20to%20prevent%20complications.%20It%20is%20estimated%20that%20over%201.5%20million%20people%20will%20be%20newly%20diagnosed%20with%20some%20diabetes%20each%20year.%3C%2Fp%3E” /]
Even more, will find themselves in the prediabetes category which puts them at direct risk of being diagnosed sooner rather than later. The longer that you are in the prediabetes category, the more likely you will be to become diabetic.
Risk factors include: family history, having kidney disease, being overweight or having ever been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Knowing your risk factors plus the most common symptoms helps you stay on the lookout for the condition. It is important that you monitor your sugar levels with your doctor, try to reach and maintain a healthy weight and try to stay active as well.
Eating right may be one of the most difficult challenges facing a diabetic. New diabetics will hear many myths and falsehoods about what they can and cannot eat and may refuse to stick to their program putting their health at serious risk. Others may become so strict with their eating that they fail to find any real balance.
[highlight color=”pink” content=”%3Cp%3EWhile%20the%20goal%20should%20be%20to%20eat%20healthy%2C%20nutritious%20foods%20as%20much%20as%20possible%20using%20a%20good%2C%20balanced%20meal%20replacement%20shake%20can%20be%20part%20of%20that%20plan.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E” /]
To review what makes a good meal replacement shake:
1. Adequate calories. Discuss your schedule and eating habits with your doctor. If eating three meals a day works for you, then you should divide your daily calories into 3 meals. The same for 5 meals, 2 meals, and a snack. Whatever works for you is what you should do.
Most people should have between 1000 and 1500 calories per day, but your needs may be quite different. Diet plans with daily calorie goals of under 1000 for an adult should be discussed with the doctor first as it may be too extreme to maintain in the long run.
2. A balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. It is essential that all three of the macronutrients be represented. Some diet plans like Keto diets emphasize fats while others focus on protein. It is essential to know what your own needs are. Because diabetes can affect the kidneys some doctors limit the amount of protein for their patients.
3. No artificial ingredients especially harmful sugars like aspartame. A good rule of thumb is five ingredients or less and no ingredients that you do not immediately recognize as “food”.
4. Know the sources for the protein.
5. Increasing fiber is a good thing but know that increasing it too quickly can lead to gas, bloating and stomach discomfort.
The best meal replacement shake for a diabetic is the one that helps them meet their health goals, stabilizes their blood sugar and gives them energy to lead healthy, happy and complication free lives.