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 are 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
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I was recently diagnosed with LADA at the age of 55. I’d like to start taking this but wonder if I need to do it on an empty stomach. I take thyroid meds first thing in the morning and can’t have anything to eat or drink 30 minutes before or after.
No, I don’t think there is any benefit to consuming collagen on an empty stomach. I’d just choose the time that works best for you