Best snacks for diabetics, what foods to eat or avoid, and the list goes on!
All of this is a part of the everyday struggles diabetics go through.
When it comes to controlling sugar level, right food choices matter a lot.
Though there is no set pattern in which blood sugar level drops or rises but conscious eating can help you to overcome these fluctuations.
This is because our body requires a consistent supply of energy and right nutrients to keep going. So, we need make wise food choices for better control over our blood glucose level.
Let’s dive deeper into the details!
Meals vs. Snacks – Why is Snacking Important?
We can broadly classify our food consumption into two major categories; meals and snacks.
The food you eat between your major meals is called your snacks. Healthy snacking is good for our health for many reasons. Here are some of the benefits of snacking for diabetes and non-diabetics:
- It helps with the regulation of blood sugar level
- You feel energetic throughout the day
- Snacking helps to overcome the food cravings
- Frequent food consumption helps you control your nutrient consumption
- When you take smaller meals during the day as snacks it results in better appetite control
- Snacking between your meals helps to avoid bigger and larger meals.
For all these reasons, snacking is beneficial for you.
Now comes the question: what are some best snacks for diabetics? It is important to talk about these because unhealthy snacking choices can do more harm than good.
Let’s talk about some healthy snacking options for diabetics!
What are Some Good Snacks for Diabetics?
Snacking is more than a habitual activity. So, let’s talk about some really good snacks for diabetics that are easy to make and will be a healthy addition to your routine. While talking about these, I will ensure that you can easily find them around you.
1- Mixed Nuts
Almonds, pistachio, cashew, dates, and much more.
A handful of mixed nuts is one of the best snacks for diabetics. We already know that nuts are the powerhouse of nutrition and contain a lot of healthy components. Nuts are a source of healthy fats and have a filling impact, which makes them a good snacking option. You can keep them in an airtight jar and consume them as a snack.
However, because nuts are quite high in calories, make sure to consume them in moderation, say renowned dieticians from Bahria International Hospital Islamabad.
2-Boiled Eggs
We are already aware of many benefits of eating eggs and the secret lies in their nutrition.
For this very reason, eggs serve as a great snacking option for people who suffer from diabetes. Hard egg boils are even proven beneficial for diabetics. Several pieces of research prove that eating eggs can result in better blood and lipid profiles among type-2 diabetes sufferers.
The best part about this is that you can even carry these in your lunch boxes and enjoy them in between your meals.
3- Roasted Chana
Roasted chana is a common winter comfort food. Not only this, but it just tastes great.
Knowing about the benefits of roasted chana for our health, we know that this can be a good fit in your list of healthy snacks for diabetics.
These chickpeas are a good source of protein as well as help with the management of blood sugar levels. So, it’s your time to enjoy the crunchiness of roasted chana with all those health benefits that will boost your health.
4- Apple Slice and Peanut Butter
When it comes to choosing some diabetes-friendly snacks, apples and peanut butter are great options.
Apple being a low-calorie food makes a great combination with peanut butter. We also know about many peanut butter benefits so a little amount of peanut butter on an apple slice will not harm your health. Cut the apple into thin slices and spread a little amount of peanut butter on it and enjoy it.
5- Cottage Cheese/ Home Made Paneer
Hey, cheese lovers? This one’s for you.
When you are looking for some good snacking options for diabetics, cottage cheese is surely on the list. This is because cottage cheese contains some of the healthiest nutrients which ultimately help with the management of blood sugar levels.
Another reason why we prefer cottage cheese comes from its high protein and low carb content. So, cottage cheese is your next go-to diabetes-friendly snack.
6- Yogurt and Berries
Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or any other fruit that falls in the category are next on our list.
These berries with yogurt are surely a match made in heaven. Thanks to all the healthy nutrients in berries and yogurt which makes it a good addition to a healthy snack list for diabetes. Yogurt has the goodness of milk alongside probiotics which promote better gut health.
So, if you don’t want to mess up your blood sugar level and make a wise choice then, yogurt and berries serve the purpose right.
7- Popcorns
All of us love them, without any exception.
This is a very healthy snacking option for diabetes sufferers. According to the top reviewed endocrinologist in Karachi, Dr. Ayaz Hussain Shaikh “Popcorn is a source of whole grains that doesn’t harm your sugar levels. These whole carbs don’t make your sugar levels go up instantly, so you can have them.” Also, popcorns are a good source of fiber. The best part about this diabetes-friendly snack is that you can even make it at your home within minutes.
A Word from Healthwire!
I am sure now you must have an idea about the best snacks for diabetics.
You can have them instead of junk food, no matter if you are diabetic or not. With this, make sure to stick to your treatment plan and also keep your eyes on your overall calorie intake. Also, make sure to stay in touch with your doctor or nutritionist if you have any queries regarding food choices.
You can consult the best nutritionist in Karachi via Healthwire for the effective management of disease through the right nutrition.