Diabetes is becoming increasingly prevalent in our society. In fact, as of 2015, a staggering 29.1 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes. That’s over 9% of the country’s total population! There are various diets for diabetics and choosing snacks can be an important step toward a healthy blood sugar balance. But what kinds of snacks are best for diabetics? These days, we have so many options — from dried seaweed strips to freeze-dried fruit — that choosing snacks can be a challenge. If diabetes has you looking for delicious and healthy snack options, look no further than this article.
Diabetic Friendly Snacks
Choosing tasty & healthy snacks when you have diabetes can be a little difficult task. It is important to choose snacks that are rich in fiber, healthy fats, and protein. These nutrients will keep your blood sugar under control.
Though there are innumerable foods & snacks available for people who have diabetes, it is advisable to choose the best. It is quite common to feel the urge to eat everything but with diabetes, it may be seemingly impossible. You need to be careful in choosing what you eat. And yes, especially the snacks!
For people with health conditions like hypertension & diabetes, unhealthy food can actually trigger blood glucose levels. So make sure you choose Diabetic friendly snacks!
Here’s a tip – Having five small meals rather than three big meals is recommended for people with diabetes.
This way, your blood sugar can be kept under control. Remember, unhealthy food, stress and a poor lifestyle can worsen diabetes. One need not get into a restricted diet but should follow a diet that is low in salt, sugar, and fat.
Refer Here : Low Sugar Snacks for Kids
Getting back to eating healthy snacks – Now there’s a question like this – Can snacks be healthy? Oh yes! Why not? There is indeed a wide range of healthy snacks that can help in maintaining blood sugar levels.
Also, if you prefer packed food you can still get some healthy snacks for diabetics. Let us now discuss on what you should look for in your packaged snack for diabetes so that you know it is good for you.
- Carry a minimum of 4g of protein / 4g of fiber
- Plant based fat source
- Made from whole grains
- Quality ingredients
- Low in glycemic level
- Easy to consume
- Low in sugar level
You now easily get diabetic-friendly snacks everywhere. It includes chips, bars, crackers, cereals, popcorn, desserts, nuts, etc. Now let us also discuss on some of the home-made snacks:
- Boiled Eggs
It is a super healthy snack for diabetics. As it provides 6gm of protein, it helps in controlling your blood sugar. Also, eggs promote fullness which is an important aspect in managing diabetes.
- Almonds
An ounce serving of almonds contain 15 vitamins & minerals. They also have decreased levels of insulin which means it is good for diabetes. It also helps in the reduction of blood sugar levels.
- Avocado
Avocado can be a better choice if you are looking for Diabetes friendly snack. It is rich in fiber & monounsaturated fatty acids which makes it good for diabetics. It helps in avoiding blood sugar from spiking.
- Roasted Chickpeas
In a cup of chickpeas, there are 15gms of protein and 13gms of fiber. This makes it an excellent snack for those with diabetes. By roasting them, it gets crunchy & tasty. Consumption of chickpeas on a regular basis can prevent the progression of diabetes.
Also, you can consider the following if you are looking for healthy snacks for diabetics before bed:
- A handful of nuts
- Whole wheat crackers & low fat cheese
- Air-popped popcorn
- Roasted chickpeas
- Cucumber slices / Cherry tomatoes / Baby carrots
You can browse for a variety of diabetic snack recipes online & cook some delicious snacks which will be a treat to your taste buds while being friendly to diabetes. There are also good recipes for sweet snacks for diabetes; you can try making them at home & enjoy them!
Refer Here: Technological Advancements in Diabetes Care
FAQs
What is the best evening snack for a diabetic?
You can choose from a handful of nuts, roasted chickpeas, boiled eggs, etc.
What sweet things can diabetics eat?
Diabetics can have granola with no sugar added, fresh fruits, dried berries, nuts, seeds, etc.
What is a good sugar-free snack?
Sugar-free snack includes popcorn, chickpeas, Avocado, yogurt with berries, sugar-free snack bars, etc
