After Eliminating a daily protein drink, my A1C went up a lot

@tinamaria1
Hello - Congratulations on managing your blood sugar so well.
Most people don't understand that adequate protein helps moderate blood sugar as you have learned.

You might try copying your favorite drink in homemade smoothies using a powdered protein supplement. You can make a pitcher to store in the fridge that lasts for several days to make the task easier.

You can also add protein to your diet via lean poultry cubes (cook your own, seasoning to taste) cheese cubes, a tablespoon of peanut butter or nuts.

It is especially effective to moderate blood sugar by eating the protein with a carb snack like fruit. For example, a small apple with 1 oz nuts (4-7 g protein).

If you tolerate dairy, here is a great protein shake replacement. Top 3/4 plain Greek yogurt with a cup of unsweetened berries and 2T pumpkin seeds. This provides 20 grams of protein, lots of fiber and about 280 calories. If you need to sweeten, try just a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.

When we travel, I fill the cooler with several covered bowls with this or whip up smoothies and bottle - no temptation to stop for fast food or grab junk food at the gas station.

I also must work to keep my A1C in check, and my husband has been diabetic for over 30 years, so this is a lifestyle for us. We do sometimes supplement with protein drinks, but like yo we find many to be unplatable.

We do eat our 1 piece of dark chocolate most evenings.

Does this give you some ideas?

Not just sugars, ALL carbohydrates contribute to triglyceride count and to one's AIC rising or falling over time.

So, and I'm not giving advice here (I have no claimable expertise in nutrition or health management in general), you might want to take stock of all carbohydrates that you consume typically, or cyclically, and reduce them to about 120 gm total each day. If you could halve that for several weeks in an attempt to stabilize your insulin sensitivity (which might be what is going on, i.e., metabolic syndrome or pre-metabolic syndrome), you might in time be able to eat an almost normal diet (no snacking of any kind....ever...and avoid comfort foods of any kind, the kind that make you 'feel good', such as treats, sweets, junk foods, etc).

This is just a guess. As we age, we all lose ground in one way or another, whether in hearing, eyesight, kidney function, cognitive function, endocrine responses, etc. It's typical for some of us to have a tougher time with one or more comorbidity onsets, including the regrettable metabolic syndrome. (Remember, I'm talking about this only because it is what I understand; I'm not suggesting you have my diagnosis. You need to be formally assessed by a competent authority)

Protein and fats are somewhat better for us than are carbohydrates. Carbs elicit insulin response. Insulin is a 'storage' hormone. It is produced when we increase our serum glucose, which happens after we consume BOTH protein and carbohydrates, but protein much less so. If we consume more carbs than our blood sugar levels can stand, then guess what...you'll increase insulin production in an attempt to stabilize the serum glucose. Increased insulin means more storage of converted sugar is imposed on the adipocytes, the fat cells we carry (and grow more of when we need the storage of fats because we're converting too many carbs to fat).

Finally, it's worth investigating an endocrine system defect, especially the function of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus gland.

Look up Dr. Casey Means she is on you tube and the title of the video is Transform your health by improving metabolism, hormone and blood sugar regulation. She explains things very well with what you should eat and look for in your blood tests. No pills or magic drink just good old advice.

Wow, thank you, this is great advice and positive to hear as well. I would never had known that a lack of sufficient protein would impact my A1C, until my Hopkins dietician explained it to me.

I will start sampling other brands of protein powders again, AND, I will try your recipe for a protein shake. I will use unsweetened almond milk. BTW, I did not think of pumpkin seeds, so I will try that too.
What a gift you gave to tell me you DO eat 1 piece of dark chocolate most evenings. It is the only joy I have left with food now that I cut out cakes, cookies, pastries, breads, etc.. I was on the verge of throwing my little bag of dark chocolate pieces Ghirardelli, UNTIL I read your response.
So, Thank you dear for sharing (smile).

Thank you for this advice. I had to learn about protein and it's impact on A1C and pancreas, insulin production etc. I know you said it's all carbs that matter, but I just turned 59, and I started a medically induced restricted diet in my 40s when my doc first noticed my A1C creeped up.

And, regarding carbs, I do understand that all carbs can impact A1C, but since my 40s, on Sunday - Friday afternoons, I don't eat any pasta, rice, bread, potatoes, etc. anything made with flour, I greatly restrict fruit, avoid daily most fruit except about 1 granny smith apple, and now a half of banana in a non fat greek yogurt shake...

IF I eat berries, I count them not more than about 9, as my doc told me..ugh..So, Sun - Frid my diet is oatmeal, and nuts, about a half cup of beans from a can, and LOTS of fresh green vegees (kale, spinach, tomatos, peppers, cabbage etc. walnuts) in a huge dinner salad WITH a good portion of fish usually, air fried. BUT on the weekends I feel like I am starved for carbs so I eat whatever I want..

I am 5'6" about 135 pounds, consistently, lots of muscle mass. The problem is that I often feel so tired during the week because I run/jog several miles 4 times a week (2.33 miles at least each time), I lift weights 3 times a week, do stretches, AND I play tennis singles/doubles, several times a week, and I teach tennis to little kids, SO MY ENERGY level is so low at times I can't move...I am so tired...

You said something interesting, about overall A1C, and I believe your suggestion for me to see an endocrine specialist may be just what I need to do, BECAUSE in my blood results yesterday, I read that my glucose level in my urine sample AND blood sample is in the NORMAL range, so why is it that my overall glucose is borderline 5.9???

Again, the year before last year it was 5.6 and it has bounced in that area to 5.7 throughout the years, BUT I do admit, again, this past year, I cheated more with a piece of chocolate at times, and a spoonful of cake at times a cookie or 2 at times, AND I eliminated the protein drink in the spring..but from talking with others on this site, I don't think my protein intake or added sugar at times is the issue.. I will try to see a specialist..

Thank you for sharing.

Thank you, will look for this now and watch it! Wishing you peaceful day.