10 Dietitian-Approved Protein Powders for People With Diabetes

Transparent Labs Whey Protein Powder offers high-quality protein without the extras that can interfere with blood sugar control. Each serving provides an impressive 28 grams (g) of protein with no added sugar.

We also like the range of flavors, including Chocolate Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, all sweetened with stevia to keep the products diabetes-friendly without artificial additives. Transparent Labs also goes above and beyond with its Informed Choice certification, meaning every batch is tested for banned substances, quality, and purity.

Legion Whey+ is non-GMO, gluten-free, lactose-free, and third-party tested, offering added reassurance about ingredient quality and label accuracy. Another standout is the flavor selection, with options like Birthday Cake and Cinnamon Cereal that deliver a sweeter-tasting shake without added sugar. Writer El Wilson also had positive feedback on the taste, noting, “It’s good! The chocolate really came through. It’s strong, but not overly so. Tastes sort of like hot cocoa.”

That said, texture may be a drawback for some. Wilson found “it was a bit gritty and thin, but nothing that detracted from drinking it,” adding that “it mixed fairly well. There were a few clumps and some residue, but nothing out of the ordinary.”

Bubs is NSF Certified for Sport and sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle. Writer Amy Sowder van Erk enjoyed how easy it was to use, noting that it had “zero flavor” and dissolved so well that “there was no texture; it just disappeared.” Bubs is a strong fit for people with diabetes who want a sugar-free, easy-to-mix collagen supplement for broader wellness goals like joints, skin, and ligament support.

Perelel Triple-Support Protein is our top pick for women with diabetes because it offers more than just protein in a formula designed to support women’s health across different life stages.

Each serving provides 20 g of plant-based pea protein, 5 g of fiber, 3 g of creatine, and 0 g of added sugar. We like that it’s non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, low FODMAP, and has earned the Clean Label Project Purity Award. According to the brand, it’s also pregnancy- and breastfeeding-safe and formulated by leading ob-gyns, making it especially appealing to women seeking a more targeted wellness supplement.

Tori Martinet, MS, RD, found it “to be one of the better-tasting protein powders I’ve tried,” though not without a few trade-offs. She notes that “a distinct pea protein flavor was still present,” which she didn’t love, but says it was still drinkable and that she “liked the vanilla flavor overall.” The texture was thin when mixed as directed. It also had a slight grit but blended well overall with no major clumping or residue left behind.

Now Sports Whey Protein Isolate is our budget-friendly pick because it offers high-quality protein at an accessible price, costing less than $3 per serving. Each serving provides 24 g of whey protein isolate.

For people with diabetes, its simple formula is a major plus: It contains no added sugars, artificial sweeteners, or fillers, making it easier to fit into a blood sugar–conscious routine. It contains just two ingredients: whey protein isolate and sunflower lecithin, a sunflower seed–derived ingredient that helps improve mixability and texture. Plus, it’s third-party tested, Informed Sport certified, non-GMO, and halal, adding confidence in its quality and safety.

Being unflavored, this powder is especially versatile and easy to mix into smoothies, shakes, or plain water without significantly impacting taste. Dietitian and writer Caitlin Beale shares, “I didn’t taste it at all when mixed into my smoothie and barely noticed it when mixed into plain water, aside from a slight milky taste,” adding that “it blended really easily, even with just a spoon. No clumps and slightly foamy at the top.”

This simple, unsweetened formula may be a drawback if you prefer a flavored shake. It also may not be suitable for those with dairy or sunflower allergies.

Garden of Life Raw Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder earns its spot as the best organic protein powder for people with diabetes thanks to its organic, plant-based blend that delivers 22 g of protein per serving with no added sugar.

We love Naked Pea protein powder because of its simple plant-based formula. The product contains only 100 percent yellow pea protein, with no added sugars, artificial sweeteners, or flavors.

“Each serving has 2 grams of carbs and 2 grams of sugar (with zero grams of added sugars), making it a lower-carb option that can help support healthy blood sugar levels,” says Reisdorf. “Naked Pea also packs 27 grams of protein per serving, which is higher than many protein powders on the market that average around 20 grams.”

Naked Pea is vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, and third-party tested. However, as the tester of this formula, I found the texture to be sometimes clumpy, which wasn’t an ideal mouthfeel or an easy-to-mix option. Being unflavored, I found it was best when mixed into a smoothie to help mask the earthy pea undertone.

Klean Athlete Klean Isolate is our top pick for athletes with diabetes because it’s made with just whey protein isolate, without added sugar, which helps keep blood sugar steady while still providing high-quality protein.

“Klean Athlete’s NSF Certified for Sport protein powder is a solid choice for athletes with diabetes, providing verified purity and safety from banned substances,” explains Lappe. “The unflavored option offers 20 grams of protein with only 1 gram of carbs, minimizing the impact on blood sugar.”

For athletes with diabetes, finding a protein powder that supports your fitness goals without impacting blood sugar can be challenging, but Klean Isolate keeps it simple and effective. Its formula is also easy to add to shakes, smoothies, or recipes without adding extra sugar, which can be helpful if you prefer more control over flavor and overall carbohydrate intake.

This formula is gluten-free, non-GMO, and free from artificial colors. The unflavored is also free of flavors and sweeteners, while the chocolate and vanilla options do contain monk fruit and stevia for added sweetness.

Truvani Plant Based Protein is a great option for people with diabetes who love variety. It’s not only free of sugar but also comes in an impressive range of flavors, 13 total, including Chocolate Peanut Butter, Lemon Cookie, Mint Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice, Vanilla Chai, and more.

Truvani also prioritizes quality with a formula that’s organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan, making it perfect for a wide range of dietary needs. For people with diabetes who are looking for taste, flavor variety, and clean ingredients, Truvani checks all the boxes.

Oath Nutrition Clear Protein Powder is our top clear protein pick for people with diabetes because it offers the benefits of whey protein in a lighter, juice-like format. Each serving provides 20 g of complete whey protein with less than 1 g of sugar. Clear protein options can be a game changer if you dislike heavy, milky, or chalky protein powders and want something more refreshing after a workout, or simply find it easier to stay consistent with a protein powder that drinks more like flavored water.

Swanson was impressed by how enjoyable and easy this powder was to drink, which is a big reason it earned the top spot. She says, “Wow, just WOW. These are the perfect amount of sweet, no chalky, good and solid flavor. I would say that it’s a total fruit juice taste,” adding that “this doesn’t taste like you are drinking a protein drink at all.”