What Is A Good Evening Snack?
My mom, who has diabetes, likes having her tea and a snack before bedtime. Is eating a slice of American or cheddar cheese good for her? Continue reading >>
Top 23 Snacks For People With Diabetes
NEW! Download our free grocery shopping companions: Free Foods – a guide to foods that won’t impact your blood sugar 15 Carbs Snack List – a mega-list of great snack ideas What’s the best snack for someone with diabetes? A snack with few carbs! (There are some exceptions. If you are planning on working out or have low blood sugar, than some carbohydrates may be beneficial.) Here are our top 23 favorite low-carb snacks in no particular order: Peanut butter Cheddar cheese String cheese Cottage cheese Broccoli with melted cheese Salad with free veggies and low-carb dressing Tomato and mozzarella salad Celery with peanut butter Fresh strawberries or blueberries with low-fat plain yogurt Veggies with hummus Cucumbers with olive-oil and rice vinegar Carrot sticks Snap peas with Caesar dressing Green beans cooked and cooled with lemon juice Nuts Sauteed Spinach Pickles Rotisserie chicken Deli meat Pepperoni and cheese Beef jerky Hard boiled eggs What are your favorites? You can get more snack ideas in our recipes forum, diabetes cookbook, and the Simply Cooking blog. Further reading on diabetes diet: Read more about low blood glucose/sugar (hypoglycemia), low-carb diet, snacks. Continue reading >>
Blood Sugar Control
I've been really into smoothies recently, as they're a great way to start my day. I make them fresh every morning. Anything in my fridge, I throw into my Vitamix — always greens included — with yogurt, ice, and my favorite nut milk. This helps maintain my blood sugar and keeps me going throughout the day. Continue reading >>
Diabetic Snacks: What To Eat And What To Skip
"Don't eat between meals." That's one piece of advice diabetics might want to take with a grain of salt. If you go more than four or five hours between meals, a mid-afternoon snack might be just what the doctor ordered to help you keep your blood sugar steady. Snacking is also important if you're taking medication that could cause a blood-sugar low between meals. Discuss with your doctor or a registered dietitian what snacking approach is right for you. Keep your snacks to 150 calories or less The danger of snacks is that they can become more like extra meals if you go overboard. First, make sure you're truly hungry—and not just bored or stressed or craving chocolate—before reaching for a snack. Then limit yourself to 150 calories per snack. (Cutting calories is easier than you think.) This will help keep your snacking "honest." After all, it's hard to find a candy bar with only 150 calories. And if you're hankering for a candy bar, but a healthier snack doesn't appeal, you're probably not truly hungry. Beware of low-fat snacks Studies show that people tend to eat about 28 percent more of a snack when it's low-fat because they think they're saving on calories. But low-fat snacks, such as cookies, only have about 11 percent fewer calories than their full-fat counterparts. Stick to the same amount you'd eat if you thought the snack was full-fat. Need more snack ideas? Check out these delicious snacks for adults. Check the ingredients Avoid heavily processed crackers and chips. If the list of ingredients is long and has big words with lots of syllables, put it back on the shelf. Stay away from these worst eating habits for diabetics. Watch those carbs Carbohydrates are major culprits when it comes to raising blood sugar (though there are some good carbs for diabetes). Continue reading >>
Healthy Snack Ideas For People With Type 2 Diabetes Small Snacks
Healthy snack ideas for people with type 2 diabetes Small Snacks If you have type 2 diabetes, a snack can help you manage your blood glucose levels. If your Registered Dietitian suggests that a small snack fits into your diabetes meal plan, youll find many healthy ideas below. Your snack choices should be based on the four food groups in Canadas Food Guide . The amount of carbohydrate in your snack is very important since carbohydrate-rich foods make the biggest difference to blood glucose levels. Smaller snacks should have about 15 grams of carbohydrate. This is the amount found in one slice of bread or one small apple. Carbohydrates are also found in sugary sweets like pastries, chocolate bars and candy. Because they are not very nutritious, they should be chosen less often, if at all. Heres a good rule to remember when choosing carbohydrate -rich foods: Choose more vegetables, fruit, legumes and whole grains like oats , barley, brown rice and whole wheat. Choose fewer products that are made from sugar, white flour and white rice. The smaller snacks listed below have about 15 grams of carbohydrate each. They each have 85-150 calories. Your eating plan may include a snack in the morning or the mid-afternoon. Here are some delicious options. 1 slice whole grain bread with 10 mL (2 tsp) peanut butter 1 small orange and 175 mL ( cup) edamame (green soybeans in the pod) 250 mL (1 cup) latte, cappuccino, unsweetened cocoa or chai tea made with skim milk 250 mL (1 cup) cantaloupe with 125 mL ( cup) low fat cottage cheese 15 baby carrots with 30 mL (2 tbsp) hummus These snacks can be left in your briefcase, knapsack, car or your desk drawer. They will come in handy when you have a very busy day and need to grab a quick snack. 1 single-serve (125 mL) unsweetened applesauce sp Continue reading >>
7 Diabetes-friendly Snacks
Part 1 of 10 Snacks are a great way to keep your blood glucose levels stable, but sometimes it may seem that choosing what to snack on is easier said than done. Making smart food choices starts with understanding the fundamentals. For most people with diabetes, that means understanding the effects of carbohydrates on blood glucose levels. Carbohydrates break down into sugar, and when you eat large amounts of certain types of carbohydrates, blood glucose levels can spike. Part 2 of 10 The glycemic index (GI) measures how much a food containing carbohydrates raises your blood glucose level compared to the consumption of pure glucose. Pure glucose has a score of 100. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) identifies low-GI foods as those with a ranking of 55 or less. Low-GI foods include: 100 percent stone-ground whole wheat oatmeal legumes non-starchy vegetables Medium-GI foods have ratings between 56 and 69. Some examples are: whole wheat rye pita bread Eating mixed snacks can also help, since foods digest more slowly when they’re eaten together. Adding protein or healthy fats to a snack with carbohydrate can help increase fullness and decrease the risk of blood sugar spikes. Part 3 of 10 Counting the number of carbohydrates in your snacks and choosing foods using the glycemic index are both great ways to make smart snacking decisions. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that a diabetes-friendly snack should contain 15–30 grams of carbohydrates. We’ve come up with a few healthy snack ideas that are great on-the-go and can help make managing your blood glucose level simple! Part 4 of 10 Store-bought trail mix can be boring, bland, and not so healthy — not to mention expensive. Save money (and your taste buds) by making your own! Ingredients*: 1 cup roaste Continue reading >>
13 Snacks For Type Ii Diabetics
Do you or a loved one have type II diabetes? If so, finding healthy snacks can be difficult, especially when trying to control blood sugar. Most snacks are packed with carbs and will send insulin levels through the roof. Not good. The key is creating delicious snacks that won’t cause blood sugar spikes, taste good, and will fill you up. That’s exactly what we did in this short list. P.S. If you’re into healthy eating tools, check out our awesome Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes Magnet and Gluten-Free and Dairy Free Conversion Magnets at the end of this article! . 13 Snacks for Type II Diabetics Popcorn made in Coconut Oil Air popped popcorn made with coconut oil is one of the best healthy snacks for diabetics. It’s high in fiber and can easily be made in about 5 minutes on the stove. Sprinkle a little sea salt on top, and enjoy! Albacore Tuna It depends on your personal taste buds, but for those who like tuna, it makes a truly great snack. The high amounts of protein will also help curb cravings, and the omega-3 fatty acids help to level blood sugar. Make sure the tuna is albacore, and get the organic brand if it’s in the budget. Baby Carrots Simple, easy, and basic is sometimes the best. The beta-carotene, fiber, and antioxidants will help to level blood sugar and keep you feeling full. 8-12 carrots is a good amount and is less than 25 grams total of carbohydrates. Hummus with Raw Veggies This is another delicious snack diabetics can enjoy without any guilt. Hummus is high in fiber and healthy fats and low in carbs. Take around 1/3 of a cup of hummus and dip with bell peppers, carrots, cucumber, celery, or broccoli. Nuts Nuts like almonds, cashews, and pecans make for a great healthy snack. They are full of high quality fats, have virtually 0 carbs, and contain Continue reading >>
Best Snacks For People With Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes can lead to a wide range of symptoms including high blood pressure, circulation issues, kidney damage, blindness, and skin problems. But the right diet can help manage these symptoms. Healthful snacks for people with diabetes can keep blood sugar in check. They may also help reduce the severity of diabetes symptoms such as high blood pressure. Eating right can feel daunting, particularly at first, but people with diabetes can continue enjoying a wide range of snacks. Foods high in protein High-protein foods include nuts, legumes, animal products such as eggs and cheese, and alternatives to meat such as tofu and mushrooms. Healthful snacks for people with diabetes that are satisfying and rich in protein include: roasted chickpeas apples or celery with almond butter almonds, walnuts, or pistachios trail mix, particularly if it doesn't contain sweetened ingredients hard-boiled eggs plain yogurt, particularly Greek yogurt low-sodium cottage cheese mixed with fresh fruit diced avocado and cherry tomatoes snap peas or other raw veggies with hummus Several of these options can work well as both sweet and savory snacks. Honey-roasted chickpeas provide a good balance of sweet and savory. Nuts can be paired with slices of cheese or dried fruit. Adding nuts or fruit can also make yogurt sweeter or more savory. For the turkey roll-ups, people can use thinly sliced turkey or lettuce to replace the pita. Adding hummus and vegetables makes for a hearty snack. High-fiber snacks Vegetables, legumes, and nuts are excellent sources of fiber. Whole grains, oats, and some fruits are as well. People with diabetes can try some of these high-fiber snacks: smoothies blended with high-fiber, non-starchy vegetables sprouted, whole-grain breads whole-grain or bean pastas oatmeal, mixed wi Continue reading >>
The Best Foods And Snacks To Eat When You Have Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes accounts for between 85 and 95 percent of all diabetes cases and is most prevalent in those who are 40 years and older. It occurs due to a lack of the hormone insulin, or insulin not working properly, but it can be managed with diet and exercise, along with medication. When you have Type 2 diabetes, the foods you snack on play a big role in your energy level, general health and control of your condition. Video of the Day The American Diabetes Association suggests including protein every time you have something to eat. Preferably, this protein should be low in saturated fat, or high in omega-3 fats. Low-fat meats such as chicken or turkey breast make good snacks, as do canned oily fish like mackerel or salmon. You can add low-fat, low-sugar dairy foods like cottage cheese and nonfat yogurt to this list too. Healthy monounsaturated fats -- the kind found in nuts -- are key in managing blood sugar levels, according to the National Institutes of Health. In particular, nutritionist Joy Bauer recommends almonds because they are high in healthy fats and contain magnesium, which helps control carbohydrate metabolism. If you're not a fan of almonds, pistachios, pecans, walnuts and hazelnuts, and nut butters will suffice. Snacking when you have Type 2 diabetes doesn't mean having to go for low-carbohydrate options all the time, but it does mean picking the right types of carbohydrate. The University of Rochester Medical Center website notes that the majority of your carbohydrates should be whole grain ones, so make whole-grain crackers, bread and brown rice cakes staple snacks. The Health website recommends combining whole-grain crackers with cottage cheese and grapes for a snack that delivers slow-digesting carbs, protein and nutrients. While fruit does contain s Continue reading >>
15 Best Snack Foods For Diabetics
Lori Kenyon is a certified nutritional consultant, personal trainer, and co-founder of Ritual Cleanse. She was diagnosed early on in her life with a disorder that prevented her from consuming animal protein and has since had to adapt her diet to compensate. Kenyon advises clients to consume snacks which contain no more than 20 grams of carbohydrates and 140 milligrams of sodium per serving, in accordance with American Diabetes Association guidelines. Stella Metsovas is a certified clinical nutritionist who specializes in food science and human nutrition, with more than 23 years of experience in the field. She is a strong believer in the Paleo-Mediterranean diet and runs a private practice in Los Angeles. Angela Shelf Medearis is the author of The Kitchen Diva's Diabetic Cookbook and has been featured frequently on The Dr. Oz Show as a guest chef, where she is known simply as The Kitchen Diva. She offers some great general snacking advice from her cookbook: Portion sizes are key. Keeping the glycemic load down (a measurement of how much food spikes blood glucose levels) means cutting down on portion sizes, since the measurement accounts for the number of grams of carbohydrates per serving of a food item, which of course will increase with portion sizes. Eating huge portions of even healthy snacks can quickly turn them unhealthy. Snacks between meals can help you reduce portion sizes at main meals and also keep blood sugar levels more stable throughout the day. This can keep you feeling energized and in a good mood as you go about your day. To help control portion sizes, Medearis suggests using small plates, consuming plenty of water while snacking or during meals, and limiting snacks to 100-calorie portions, when feasible, and otherwise just avoiding the habit of eating Continue reading >>
Healthy Swaps: Snacks
Everyone needs a snack in between meals occasionally – but, if you have diabetes, you’ll want something small that will satisfy your hunger, is low in fat and sugar, and will not have a big effect on your blood glucose level. If you’re bored with the same old snacks, here are some quick and easy ideas you can put together from ingredients you have at home or can buy easily. They also don’t need any cooking. We’ve divided them into snacks under 10g carbs and those containing 50, 100 and 150 calories. If you’re trying to lose weight, opt for the snacks with the least amount of calories. Snack guidance We don’t recommend snacks labelled ‘diabetic’, which tend to be expensive and don’t offer you any special health benefits. The key is to plan your favourite snacks so they fit into your overall diet and watch your portion sizes. Confused where to start with snacks? Depending on whether you need help with calorie-controlled snack ideas or low-carb snack guidance, click on the relevant link below: Snack swaps Swapping is an easy way to eat better while still enjoying the foods you like. Here's a few ideas to try to get you started. 1 small apple: 38 calories 2 satsumas: 50 calories 4 heaped tbsp blueberries: 44 calories 1 handful of grapes: 45 calories 1 kiwi fruit: 42 calories 1 peach: 30 calories 3 rings pineapple: 50 calories 1 light cheese triangle (25 calories) and 8 cherry tomatoes (24 calories): 49 calories 30g ready-to-eat partially rehydrated prunes: 48 calories 1 rice cake (27 calories) and 1 teaspoon (10g) pure fruit spread (22 calories): 49 calories 1 x 14g mini box of raisins: 45 calories 1 lighter cheese slice (34 calories) with ¼ cucumber (11 calories): 45 calories 1 x 115g pot sugar-free jelly: 8 calories 4 bread sticks: 92 calories 80g def Continue reading >>
How To Eat On The Go When You Have Type 2 Diabetes
Since you have type 2 diabetes, you’ve probably got your carb counting down at home and a good idea of what to eat to keep your blood sugar steady. Picking meals and snacks on the go may seem more random, but there are healthy options in every situation. You just have to know what to look for, wherever you are. At the Drive-Thru “The average fast-food meal can run as high as 1,000 calories -- over half of what you may need for the day -- and also run up your blood sugar,” says Toby Smithson, co-author of Diabetes Meal Planning and Nutrition for Dummies. “Menu items described as ‘jumbo,’ ‘giant,’ or ‘deluxe’ probably indicate an item that’s as high in sugar and fat as it is in calories.” Your best bet: “A kids’ burger, no cheese, provides a reasonable meal with lower carbs, protein, and fat,” Smithson says. Skip the fries, and go for a side salad, baby carrots, or apple slices instead. In a Sandwich Shop When sandwiches are made to order, you’re able to choose the items you add on, like veggies, and what to leave off, such as fatty mayonnaise or high-sugar barbecue sauce. Plus, many delis offer a combo of half a sandwich with half a salad or a cup of soup, which can be a great way to keep carbs in check, Smithson says. Your best bet: Choose freshly sliced lean meats over deli meats, which tend to have more salt. Turkey and chicken are usually lower in fat and salt, so they’re good bets -- as long as you don’t have them in a heavy mayonnaise-based salad. Choose whole-grain breads and wraps, since they have more nutrients than white bread. But be aware: “That doesn’t always equate to higher fiber or lower carbohydrate,” Smithson says. Generally speaking, a 6-inch tortilla or half a sandwich bun offers 15 grams, or 1 serving, of car Continue reading >>
Healthy Snack Ideas For People With Type 2 Diabetes – Small Snacks
If you have type 2 diabetes, a snack can help you manage your blood glucose levels. If your Registered Dietitian suggests that a small snack fits into your diabetes meal plan, you’ll find many healthy ideas below. What is a healthy snack? Your snack choices should be based on the four food groups in Canada’s Food Guide. The amount of carbohydrate in your snack is very important since carbohydrate-rich foods make the biggest difference to blood glucose levels. Smaller snacks should have about 15 grams of carbohydrate. This is the amount found in one slice of bread or one small apple. Carbohydrates are also found in sugary sweets like pastries, chocolate bars and candy. Because they are not very nutritious, they should be chosen less often, if at all. Here’s a good rule to remember when choosing carbohydrate-rich foods: Choose more vegetables, fruit, legumes and whole grains like oats, barley, brown rice and whole wheat. Choose fewer products that are made from sugar, white flour and white rice. The smaller snacks listed below have about 15 grams of carbohydrate each. They each have 85-150 calories. Mid-day snacks Your eating plan may include a snack in the morning or the mid-afternoon. Here are some delicious options. 1 slice whole grain bread with 10 mL (2 tsp) peanut butter 1 small orange and 175 mL (¾ cup) edamame (green soybeans in the pod) 250 mL (1 cup) latte, cappuccino, unsweetened cocoa or chai tea made with skim milk 250 mL (1 cup) cantaloupe with 125 mL (½ cup) low fat cottage cheese 15 baby carrots with 30 mL (2 tbsp) hummus On-the-go snacks These snacks can be left in your briefcase, knapsack, car or your desk drawer. They will come in handy when you have a very busy day and need to grab a quick snack. 2 whole grain rye crispbread crackers 1 single-s Continue reading >>
10 Best Type 2 Diabetes Snacks
Healthy Combinations Ready in Minutes When you have type 2 diabetes, a smart strategy for controlling your blood sugar levels is to think of snacks as miniature versions of meals and plan your carbs accordingly. Snacks with a good mix of protein, fat, and fiber will help keep hunger at bay and your blood sugar on an even keel throughout the day. "Since a meal should include 45 to 60 grams of carbohydrates, a snack should have around 15 to 20 grams," says Katherine Basbaum, MS, RD, a clinical dietitian in the Cardiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation departments at University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville. By the same token, she says, fill your snack plate the same way you would for a regular meal. That means half should be non-starchy vegetables, one-quarter should be lean protein, and one-quarter a starchy carb. Here are 10 terrific options for healthy diabetes snacks. Continue reading >>
20 Delicious Low-sugar Snacks
Low-Sugar Snacking The best snacks for type 2 diabetes have minimal added sugar and combine protein and/or healthy fats with high–quality carbohydrates—an ideal mix for keeping hunger at bay and blood sugar levels on an even keel. Choose one or two of the following snacks per day; I’ve also provided the total meal breakdowns for people who use the food-exchange system, and the total calories and grams of carbs for those who opt for carb–counting. Continue reading >>
