Collagen protein works incredibly well for people living with diabetes. It allows you to easily add protein to your diet without any blood sugar impact, and it improves digestion and joint health!
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post that contains affiliate links. All opinions in this post are my own and are based on my own tests of the product.
Why I use collagen protein
People often ask me, “What do you eat?” and “Do you take any supplements?”
If you have been reading Diabetes Strong or following me on social media for a while, you know that I don’t follow any branded diets. I believe in eating real, home-cooked food with an emphasis on lean proteins, low glycemic carbs, and healthy fats. Generally, I avoid processed foods and supplements!
I do however include protein supplements in my diet.
I’ve found that it can be difficult to get enough protein just through a healthy diet, and I know that many of the coaching clients I work with feel the same.
Well, perhaps difficult is not the right word. I know how to do it; I just don’t want to eat that much chicken, turkey, tuna, egg whites, and lean beef.
My solution has been to add collagen protein to some of my meals. I started using Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides over a year ago, after being introduced to the product during a fitness conference.
I love this product for a few reasons. The Collagen Peptides have very few calories since it’s straight-up protein and has no fluff added. There is no flavor, it mixes with ANYTHING, and has ZERO impact on your blood sugar.
Yes, you read that right. Zero. Nada. None!
One scoop of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides is 10 grams of pure protein, no carbs, and only 35 calories. Given that protein has approximately 4 calories per gram, it is obviously a very clean product (no the math is not off, it’s approximate numbers).
What are Collagen Peptides?
About 30% of the human body’s protein composition is collagen. It’s an insoluble protein made up of amino acids: glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, and arginine, all of which help our body’s connective tissue, skin, hair, nails, and gut stay as healthy as possible.
Consuming collagen protein will not only add more quality protein to your diet but can also strengthen hair, skin, and nails, improve your digestion (due to the amino acids in collagen peptides) and boost joint health.
All good additional benefits, especially since they address what a lot of people with diabetes struggle with, such as poor digestion and poor joint health.
The Science
Collagen supplements are still a relatively new thing so there aren’t many studies on the benefits of collagen. However, a 2015 study demonstrated an increase in muscle mass and strength when combining collagen peptide supplements with strength training in mature men.
A few other studies, including a study published in 2017 that showed “improvement of activity-related knee joint discomfort” when subjects were given collagen peptide supplements, indicate that supplementing with collagen peptides could improve joint pain when exercising.
How I use Collagen Peptide powder
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides comes in canisters of 20 oz., 10 oz. or 10 g (x20) travel-sized packs. The product contains only one ingredient which is bovine hide collagen peptides.
Because it has no flavor (and is odorless), I’ll simply add it to whatever I want.
- I add it to my coffee or tea – it dissolves easily in liquid
- Throw a scoop into my water bottle and bring to the gym – a great time for those amino acids
- Mix it with my Greek yogurt and peanut butter – yum!
- Add to veggie stews – pump up the protein
- Mix in with my oatmeal – can make it a little runny, so hold back the water
Vital Proteins also offer other collagen products, such as Marine Collagen (for those who don’t want to eat a meat product), Gelatin and flavored collagen peptides.
I like the flavored collagens, but some of them do have added carbs from fruit and coconut water. Nothing wrong with that, but it will, of course, affect blood sugars.
I hope that it’s pretty clear from this review why I like Vital Proteins and think Collagen Peptides is such a beneficial protein supplement for people living with diabetes who are looking for a way to add more protein to their diet.
But if you’re still in doubt, let me recap:
- No blood sugar impact
- Can improve digestive health
- Support joint health
Suggested next posts:
- The best sweeteners for people with diabetes
- 7 -Day Diabetes Meal Plan (with Printable Grocery List)
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I haverecently been Diagnosed with type 1 at the age of 44. I have found your videos on utube very helpful and encouraging. I’m trying to figure out how to do my favorite activities(hiking, swimming, road trips) now that I’m on MDI.
I started adding this exact collagen (2 scoops) to my decaf latte with 4 ounces of silk unsweetened soy milk (.5 net carbs) in the morning. I have noticed a rise of about 20 points after. Any thoughts? Could it just be the time of day and have nothing to do with the collagen?
I have been using this for only a couple of weeks and my skin is looking better. I am hoping to it will help with hair growth. I lost a lot before diagnoses.
Welcome to Diabetes Strong, glad you found us, and that you’re watching the videos. YouTube is a newer project I’ve started so I’m thrilled that it’s getting some attention.
About the collagen. Protein in itself, especially if not accompanied by carbohydrates, can make blood sugars increase. Since it only goes up 20 mg/dl it might not be enough for you to bolus for though, unless you’re already out of range.
thanks for the great explanation of collagen powder for diabetes, my question is does it matter if the collagen powder is grass fed or not?
i assume grass fed is a lot better/safer for ones health, correct?
I don’t think there’s a difference in the safety “profile” of the collagen, but there do seem to be some health benefits associated with grass-fed (more details here: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/grass-fed-vs-grain-fed-beef#grassfed-beef-benefits)
Hello, I started about a week ago, I haven’t noticed anything yet, started with 1 scoop, then ended up adding 2 scoops to my coffee in the morning and before I go to the gym for my classes some powder of vital performance to my water(small package that came with the protein powder when bought from Wal-Mart. I also have some protein powder its 100% whey..24g protein..130 calories..2g sugar …now can I mix these two together or not?
You could, but 40+ grams of liquid protein is a lot in one sitting. I’d probably split it up and drink it throughout the day, or before and after the gym
Does this collegen contains a combination of Type I and Type III like other collegen powders that I have looked at?
According to the label, the Collagen Peptides I mention in this article are 100% bovine hide, which usually is categorized as Type I and Type III
Hi! I am a type 1 diabetic and recently started using Vital Proteins. What is the recommended daily dose?
A serving of the vital proteins collagen is 2 scoops and will give you 20 grams of protein. Your overall daily protein intake will depend on your size, goals, and how you feel when you consume protein. The daily recommendation for an otherwise healthy woman is a minimum of 50-60 grams a day. That should not all come from a supplement like collagen protein. One way to start is to add 1-2 scoops and pay attention to how much protein you consume in a whole day and how it makes you feel. Then adjust from there
This is good information. I’m going to try the powder and let you know. Most often, we leave out being physically active, which is vital to having diabetes. If we could just do 30 minutes a day, we would see the difference along with watching what we ate.
Keep up the good information, thank you so much 😊!!!
Hi!
I’m wondering if collagen peptides interact with Metformin? I am borderline type 2 and notice my fasting glucose is getting elevated, and I think it’s most likely due to my food choices which have been pretty stupid lately. Anyway, on the collagen peptides tub it states “May interfere with some medications” and thought you may know the answer?
Metformin reduces the amount of glucose released from the liver, so I see how there would be any interaction. However, always, when in doubt I’d recommend you talk to your doctor
I have been taking collagen and my blood sugar has risen . Going to stop and see if it goes back down
I have type 2 diabetes. I just started taking my collegan peptides about a month ago. Ironically my blood sugars are not nearly as high as they use to be. In fact, my doc just cut my meds in 1/2. Ate oatmeal this morning and by new my sugars were 68. I have never seen such a drop in sugars, to the point my doc my remove my meds all together. I’m now thinking It could be a benefit from the peptides and improved gut. My joints have been remarkable
I have been told that if I can increase the amount of protein close to or equal to the carbs in a meal, it will minimize the impact on my blood sugar from that meal. I love rice, which has a high carb count. Can I add Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides to my rice to balance the card/protein mix in a meal and help reduce the impact to my blood sugar from that serving of rice? It makes sense to me – is that how you understand it?
I believe this advice to be more anecdotal than based on facts. Combining protein and carbohydrates can increase the feeling of fullness but should not as such decrease the blood sugar impact (See a study review here if you’re interested in more details). Some studies, on people living with type 2 diabetes, has shown that eating protein and vegetable 15-min before your meal can have a positive impact on your blood sugar.
If you’re going to enjoy a whole meal, you could just add some lean protein (fish, poultry or eggs) with a side of veggies before you enjoy your rice. BUT the rice will impact your blood sugar to some extent, no matter what you do
My wife bought me collagen protein powder. Serving size is 2 scoops/20g.
How much should I use per day to help control my blood sugar?
Collagen protein will not help control blood sugars. It is a protein supplement. I’ve found that one to two scoops do not impact blood sugars. You can mix a scoop into your morning coffee or glass of water. It dissolves very easily and have no real taste in itself
So, I know everyone is different, but I’ve seen a huge improvement for 9 days straight since starting Vital Protein collagen peptides. I’ve had varied diet and activity, but my blood glucose levels have been “perfect” for about 14-16 hours after drinking this in my coffee. It’s incredible. Obviously, I’m not promising these results to others but my family and I are thrilled about this unexpected bonus of taking these. I started taking these based on my NP’s medical recommendation for something else. We had no idea this might occur. Fingers crossed others may see some benefit.
I call it My Magic Powder as I have seen my blood levels lower than they have been in years.
Is there a vegetarian and vegan supplement that you’d recommend?
I haven’t’ used any vegan / vegetarian supplements, so I can’t recommend any from that standpoint. Vega and Sunwarrior are brands with good reputation though