Introduction
Obesity is one of the major causes of diabetes. Snacks are low-calorie foods that help in weight loss, resulting in low blood sugar and diabetes management. But not all kinds of snacks are helpful for diabetic patients. The high fiber, protein, and healthy fats snacks keep the blood sugar under control and are highly recommended. In addition, snacks consist of carbohydrates which are broken down into glucose and can have a high impact on blood sugar levels, so you can do carb counting to manage the blood glucose level. In this article, 5 helpful snacks for diabetic patients are given:
5 Healthy Snacks For Diabetic Patients
i. Hard-Boiled Egg
A hard-boiled egg is a super healthy snack to control blood glucose, resulting in diabetes symptoms and complications management. Boiled eggs are a major source of protein and promote fullness, which is an important aspect of managing diabetes.
ii. Yogurt with berries
Yogurt with berries are a diabetes-friendly and healthy snack because berries are a great source of fiber, and yogurt is also known to lower blood sugar levels. So, when they both are mixed, the sweetness of the barriers helps balance out the tartness of the yogurt.
iii. Avocado
Avocados are of high significance to control blood sugar levels and manage diabetes. The avocados’ high fiber content and monounsaturated fatty acids make them diabetes-friendly food.
iv. Beef sticks
Beef sticks are convenient, portable, and diabetes-friendly snacks because they are an excellent protein source that promotes fullness and controls blood glucose. In addition, they are low carbs snacks that aid to lose weight.
v. Popcorn
Popcorn is a very popular and healthy whole-grain snack food. It is helpful for diabetic patients because of its low-calorie density. In addition, popcorn is a great source of fiber that give you feelings of fullness and aids you in weight loss.
Other helpful snacks for diabetic patients
High protein snacks
Protein is crucial to help a person feel full and less prone to overeat. So, a high-protein diet is highly recommended for diabetic patients to control their blood sugar levels and diabetes complications. The snacks enriched with proteins are
- Roasted chickpeas
- Beans, such as kidney, black, or pinto beans
- Edamame
- Tempeh and tofu
- Soy nuts
- Turkey slices
- Smoked salmon slices
High fiber snacks
Fiber is also an essential part of the diet because it reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition, fibers provide dietary bulk, which can help a person feel fuller. Fiber-containing foods are:
- Smoothies with kale
- Sprouted, whole-grain bread
- Whole grain, bean, or chickpea pasta
- Oatmeal
- Spinach and other vegetable chips
- Carrots dipped in hummus
- Sweet potato
- Trail mix
Healthy fat snacks
Fat is an essential nutrient that reduces diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. However, it is important to focus on the right amount and the right type of fat. Following healthy fat snacks are helpful for diabetic patients:
- Oily fish, such as mackerel and sardines
- Avocado
- Olives
- Almonds, pistachios, or walnuts
- Sesame, flax, or chia seeds
Conclusion
Having a healthy snack for diabetes is similar to following general diabetes control guidelines. Whether or not you have diabetes, snacks made primarily from whole foods, especially plant foods, are key to overall health. In addition, building snacks that contain a balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fat and limit added sugars will stabilize blood sugar, which is key for diabetes management, and give you consistent energy to live your fullest life. Because people with diabetes are twice as likely as someone without diabetes to develop heart disease, it’s also important to follow heart-healthy eating guidelines, including limiting saturated fat and sodium. The increasing amount of healthy fat food, high-fiber food, and protein-dense food can be helpful for diabetic patients to manage diabetes symptoms and diabetic complications.
