Hi! I’m Krishika Agicha, and I live in India. I am always testing how foods affect our health. I do this not just with ideas, but with real data. 

One question I get a lot is: “Does protein cause a glucose or insulin spike?”

It’s a good question. It is a big deal if you are working on glucose control solutions or just want to make good food choices. So, I used my Real-Time Glucose Monitoring device to find out. What I found might be new to you. This is true if you like to work out, fast, or work to keep your blood sugar in a good place. Let’s look at it.

1. Protein Does Not Spike Glucose — But It Still Does Something

Let’s start with the big one: Does protein raise your blood sugar?

Most of the time, no, not by a lot. Protein has a very small effect on blood glucose levels. This is true when you eat it with no carbohydrates. My glucose sensor showed me this when I tested meals like:

• 2 boiled eggs
• Paneer tikka
• Plain grilled chicken

Each of these meals gave me little to no glucose spike. This is good news for people who want to keep their blood sugar in a good range with healthy eating. But there is more to it…

2. Protein Can Raise Insulin — Here’s Why That Is a Big Deal

While protein does not spike glucose, it can raise insulin. This is true for some kinds, like whey or meat protein.

Why? Your body needs insulin to help amino acids (from protein) get into your cells. This is a big deal for you to fix and grow muscles.

So yes, protein can make your body send out insulin. But this is not the same as what goes on after a sugar spike.

For those who worry about insulin resistance, it is still good to:

• Watch how much protein you eat
• Eat it with fiber and good fat
• See how you feel — we are not all the same

How you live is not about fear. It is about what is right for you.

3. Protein with Carbs = A Good Glucose Level

Here is how this can help you. When I ate a bowl of white rice by itself, my glucose went up by 40 mg/dL. But when I had 100g of grilled paneer with the same rice, the spike went down by 30%.

Why? Protein slows how fast your body takes in carbohydrates. This makes your glucose go up slowly and not so high.

If you want a way to help your glucose, this mix is very good. I call it: Pair and Prevent. 

It is one of the best continuous glucose tracking tips I give. It helps people not have their sugar go too high or too low, but still eat carbs.

Real-Time Glucose Monitoring in India Is a Big Deal

Thanks to affordable continuous glucose monitoring in India, I’ve been able to:

• See what my body does right now
• Give tips to many people online
• Show that old ideas, like the one about protein and blood sugar, are not true

And yes, if you want to know, the continuous glucose monitoring device price in India has gone down a lot. You can now check and see your blood sugar all day and night. You do not have to prick your finger all the time.

For those who ask what the best glucose monitor in India is, I use Freestyle Libre. But there are more, like Abbott, Ultrahuman, and others.

 Summary Snapshot

Based on my personal CGM data using a Freestyle Libre sensor

Last Word: Protein Is Your Friend (If You Use It Right)

So… does protein spike your glucose? 

No. But it can raise insulin a little bit — and that’s okay. The key is knowing your own body, and that’s where glucose monitoring devices come in. With real-time glucose monitoring, I now eat with no worry, have better workouts, and help others find their way, too.Want to see more like this? Follow us on Instagram, join us on YouTube, and like us on Facebook.