Shakeology for Diabetics: Is Shakeology Good for Diabetics?

January 7, 2024 |

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Is Shakeology safe and healthy for diabetics?

In this article, I will review Shakeology, a nutrition supplement that has garnered widespread media attention within no time.

The purpose of this article is to find out if Shakeology is good for diabetes or not?

When somebody has a chronic disease like diabetes or obesity, consumption of added sugar can cause havoc.

In such a scenario, finding protein and meal-replacement shakes having low calories and sugar seem arduous, but it is not impossible.

Shakeology is a nutrition beverage that was the idea of fitness enthusiasts and eventually came to life in 2009.

It is marketed as a low-calorie, superfood nutrition shake, rich in essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and more.

People use Shakeology to consume essential nutrients, energize their bodies, lose extra weight, and stay in shape.

However, is Shakeology safe for diabetics, and can it help them while controlling their sugar levels?

You will find the answers and much more later in this article, so let’s dive in.

Is Shakeology Diabetic Friendly?

diabetes

Given the fact that Shakeology is a low-calorie nutritional shake with a lower glycemic index, we can establish that it should be safe for diabetes patients.

Glycemic index (GI) is a measurement that indicates how swiftly or slowly our body turns carbs into glucose.

It is pretty easy for our bodies to turn carbohydrate-rich foods like refined sugar into glucose.

These foods are high in the glycemic index and tend to raise our blood sugar dramatically.

On the other side, foods with a lower glycemic index release the glucose slowly while keeping the sugar level under control.

Therefore, people with diabetes have to refrain from easy carbs as they shoot up their sugar levels which gets difficult to control even with the help of medications and insulin.

Low glycemic index foods also encourage fat burn. Meanwhile, high glycemic foods are effective for energizing your body. This quality makes these foods super functional for runners but unsafe for diabetics.

Low glycemic index foods are super helpful for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes since they have to keep their sugar levels in control, and these foods help stabilize them.

Hence, this is how we know that Shakeolpgy is a diabetes-friendly beverage as it has a glycemic index of 24.

Hard to believe, but that’s pretty less than most fruits, vegetables, and several processed foods, so that’s great.

All of It makes Shakeology pretty safe for diabetes patients.

Shakeology and Type 1 Diabetes

Shakeology is safe to be used by Diabetes type 1 and type 2 patients, and in this section, I will discuss the details about type 1 diabetes and how Shakeology shakes might be of health.

In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas stops producing insulin.

If somebody has diabetes, the best supplement for them has to be the one with low carbs. The concentration of these carbs should be under 15 grams per serving.

Luckily, Shakeology contains an average of 9 to 12 grams of carbs per serving.

It is a high-protein shake and a good source of fiber, super greens, antioxidants, prebiotics & probiotics, digestive enzymes, essential vitamins, minerals, and more.

You can use this shake as a meal replacement to clean up and organize your diet, lose weight, satisfy cravings, or simply obtain enough nutrients.

Being a good source of fiber, these shakes can help you stay fuller for an extended time that can eventually lead to weight loss.

During my research, I got to read reviews of people having type 1 diabetes.

One of them said they were going through a pretty rough patch until they crossed paths with Shakeology.

According to them, their insulin intake units have gone down from 80 to 20.

They also dropped heaps of weight, which is altogether commendable.

However, despite being a nutrient-rich shake boasting multiple benefits, several things get to decide whether it is safe for someone as a diabetes type 1 patient?

See, the thing is, it is a high protein shake, and protein does not impact blood sugar levels in any way. A person who has diabetes does not need more protein than someone who is not a diabetic.

However, high protein intake can get you in trouble if you have impaired kidneys as a result of having diabetes for a prolonged period.

Excessive protein consumption causes waste buildup in the blood, and your kidneys can’t eliminate that.

Therefore, the key is to always seek a doctor’s expert advice before buying someone’s opinion on the internet. Whether you are young, recently diagnosed with diabetes, or don’t have any pre-existing disease, you must consult your doctor before actively using a nutritional beverage.

Shakeology and Type 2 Diabetes

In the second type of diabetes, the body becomes resistant to the excessive production of insulin.

These patients should avoid extra sugar, fructose syrup, and processed food in general.

As I mentioned earlier, several people use Shakeology as a meal replacement to manage sugar levels.

I think we all can collectively agree that replacing actual food with supplements and shakes is not the way to go. However, it has its perks as well. You can replace your less healthy meals that aggravate your diabetes with this nutrient-rich supplement, and that is great.

Shakeology beverages have some good nutrients that are super beneficial for our bodies.

For example, ingredients like adaptogenic substances, digestive enzymes, and super greens can do wonders.

Using adaptogens is one of the trendiest ways to release stress and calm your nerves. They are non-toxic herbs that can decrease anxiety levels, improve immunity, and make you feel better mentally and physically.

Digestive enzymes are integrated into Shakeology too.

They fractionate the food nutrients to make them easily absorbable and immediately functional for your body. They also boost your gut health and immune system.

Then, there are super greens offering an array of minerals and essential vitamins. Leafy greens help balance diabetes, especially kale and spinach.

They are super nutritious, pretty low in carbs and calories. The best thing is that Shakeology offers both kale and spinach, including chlorella and spirulina.

Shakeology also contains fiber that keeps you fuller for an extended time.

It can also regulate sugar levels and insulin.

However, this supplement still lacks good fats, and relying on it without a well-planned diet won’t give you much success.

Therefore, if you want to manage your diabetes, begin small by replacing one meal with this shake. Build a balanced diet; incorporate fruits, vegetables, and all the glorious greens in your daily life along with the meal-replacement shake.

In the end, refrain from jumping on the bandwagon and following everyone; consult your healthcare provider first and see what they suggest.

Shakeology and Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a condition that develops high blood sugar levels during pregnancy. It usually disappears after the baby is born.

Approximately 10% of women are affected by gestational diabetes in the US, which is pretty serious.

After getting diagnosed, patients are told to control their sugar intake.

Although this type of diabetes vanishes on its own, it can affect your baby’s health. It can also come back as type 2 diabetes in the future.

Therefore, it is imperative to keep an eye on your health, diet and focus on getting proper treatment. Your nutritionist will most likely suggest you limit your carbohydrates and sugar intake to keep the blood glucose in balance.

Similar to regular diabetes, gestational diabetes falls under two categories: Class A1 and Class A2.

Women with the first case can manage this condition through a proper healthy diet and exercise. Class 2 patients may need medications.

Shakeology is a decent source of fiber, and apart from satisfying your hunger and keeping you fuller, it can reduce the risks of gestational diabetes. According to research, daily fiber increase by 10 grams decreases the chances of gestational diabetes by 26%.

Apart from fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain bread, you can use supplements too. For instance, Shakeology is a good tool for that.

Also, please notice that consuming essential vitamins and minerals through supplements is something we all do to stay energized.

However, pregnant women are suggested not to take dietary and herbal supplements for various reasons.

The first reason is that they contain certain herbs and chemicals that may generate a reaction.

Secondly, MLM business products are distributed by sellers having little to no nutrition knowledge.

Finally, none of these products are ever approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). So, we are always in doubt.

Hence, always approach your doctor to prevent any side effects and negative consequences. If they suggest you refrain from supplements, there are still a multitude of ways to take care of your body and stay energized.

Listen to them, look out for the ways to take care of you, and follow their instructions.

Final Thoughts

In recent years, medical science has made great strides.

However, there is still no permanent cure for diabetes. The best way to stay healthy and fitter is to remain mindful of what you give your body and how you manage to balance your blood glucose.

There are multiple positive reviews by Shakeology users that verify this supplement has helped them in their diabetes journey in some ways.

However, everybody is built differently and reacts differently. There are no health and fitness formulas that indicate that one size fits all.

With low calories and a low GI of 24, Shakeology is developed to be a safe product for diabetics, but never forget to visit your doctor or nutritionist, especially when you have a chronic disease.

I hope this article has cleared your ambiguities regarding Shakeology being safe or not for diabetics.

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