11 Best Snacks to Eat If You Have Diabetes

The food you eat plays an important role to your health, once you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes. It changes the way you approach food. Julie Stefanski, a certified diabetes educator says:

Eating something with carbohydrates will raise your blood sugar level, but will not completely take away that awful feeling?

First and foremost thing is to ask yourself: Am I really hungry? And if yes then these are the healthy snacks you should have.

Healthy Snacks for Diabetes

Image: HealthyVogue

Here is a list of 11 best snack ideas to eat if you have diabetes symptoms.

1. Hard-boiled eggs

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If you find yourself hungry between meals, yet your blood sugar levels are higher than desired. Then having one or two eggs would be great for complete source of protein. If you find them bland, sprinkle them with some salt and pepper.

RELATED: 10 Ways to Control Blood Sugar without Medication

2. Cottage cheese with tomatoes

low fat cottage cheese recipes

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This is one of those snacks you would reach for if it’s been 2 or 3 hours since your last meal, since it’s so low in carbs and hydrating, it will not raise blood sugar levels.

3. Cheese crisps

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If you need a quick grab-and-go option (and love crunchy snacks), opt for a crisp made of real cheese.

Cheese are a great choice, since they’re super low in carbs, offer some protein and calcium, and taste so much more satisfying. They also come in several different flavours.

4. Black olives

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If you love savoury foods but want to steer clear of junk (looking’ at you, potato chips), try a single-serving pack of olives.

5. Pickled foods

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When you’re craving something salty. You’ll boost your gut health while you’re at it.

While the carb count of pickled carrots, sauerkraut, cauliflower, or traditional pickles can be fairly low, try not to include these on a daily basis if your doctor has recommended limiting sodium.

6. Chia pudding

canned coconut milk chia pudding

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The satisfying nutrients paired with the thick, gelatinous texture will keep you feeling full.

Try this: Pour a few tablespoons of chia seeds into 1/2 cup of canned coconut milk and let it thicken for roughly 20 minutes (make this the night before if you don’t have time to wait around in the morning!).

Sprinkle with a few berries on top or sweeten with a touch of stevia. Chia seeds may be tiny, but they’re loaded with fibre and even some protein.

7. Mixed nuts

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All nuts at a serving size of 1 ounce are a great source of magnesium, a nutrient that many of us don’t get enough of that can have beneficial effects on blood pressure.

Jazz them up if you need more flavour: sprinkle with cinnamon if you have a sweet tooth.

8. Trail mix

pecans for diabetics

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Trail mix can be a great option if you include nuts, roasted chickpeas, or even a little bit of dark chocolate chunk in your mix for that extra bit of satisfaction.

9. A small apple with peanut butter

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Yes, this childhood favourite is diabetes-approved. Apples are high in fibre (just keep the skin on), low in calories, and rich in flavonoids that may be protective against diabetes.

Peanut butter offers some protein and healthy fat, but cap your serving to one tablespoon if you’re aiming for a lower-calorie snack.

10. Popcorn

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While corn is popular as a vegetable side dish, it’s actually in the grain group, explains Stefanski.

As a whole grain it does provide benefits of added fiber with a generous portion.

11. String cheese

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String cheese is the perfectly portioned protein. I tell my clients 1 to 2 is fine, depending on how hungry you are.

Eat alone if it has been less than 2 to 3 hours since your last meal or with a serving of carbs if it has been longer than that.

References

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  • Alison B. Everet, et al. “Nutrition Therapy Recommendations for the Management of Adults with Diabetes. Diabetes Care Journal. January 2014 vol. 37 no. Supplement 1 S120-S143
  • Allen R, et al. “Cinnamon use in type 2 diabetes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.” Ann Fam Med. 2013 Sep-Oct;11(5):452-9.
  • Chungchunlam SM, et al. “Dietary whey protein influences plasma satiety-related hormones and plasma amino acids in normal-weight adult women.” Eur J Clin Nutr. 2015 Feb;69(2):179-86.
  • Diabetes Research and Action Education Foundation. Cinnamon and Diabetes.
  • Ericson U, et al. “Food sources of fat may clarify the inconsistent role of dietary fat intake for incidence of type 2 diabetes.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Apr 1. pii: ajcn103010. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 25832335.
  • Franz, Marion J. “The Dilemma of Weight Loss in Diabetes.” Diabetes Spectrum 20.3 July 2007: 133-136.
  • Jönsson T, et al. “Beneficial effects of a Paleolithic diet on cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes: a randomized cross-over pilot study.” Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2009 Jul 16;8:35.
  • Lasa A, et al. “Comparative effect of two Mediterranean diets versus a low-fat diet on glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2014 Jul;68(7):767-72.
  • Mayer-Davis, E.J. “Low-Fat Diets for Diabetes Prevention.” Diabetes Care 24.2 April 2001: 613-614.
  • Oberg EB, et al. “CAM: naturopathic dietary interventions for patients with type 2 diabetes.” Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011 Aug;17(3):157-61.
  • Trapp, C and Levin S. “Preparing to prescribe plant-based diets for diabetes prevention and treatment.” Diabetes Spectrum February 2012 vol. 25 no. 1 38-44.
  • Yokoyama, Y, et al. “Vegetarian diets and glycemic control in diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” Cardiovascular Diagnosis & Therapy. 2014 Vol. 4. No. 5.

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