Healthy Snacks For Diabetics

If it is a well known fact that a diabetic, more than anyone else needs to keep a check on his/her eating habits, it is also true that snacking is a great way to keep the person going. Yes, ironical it might seem after all those elderly sermons which strictly prohibit snacking between meals, but the fact that snacks help to stabilize one’s blood sugar level between two meals and keep one energetic all throughout the day is worth paying attention to. However, the snack that you choose to eat should be healthy. If snacks coated with extra layers of sugar, salt or oil is unhealthy for the non-diabetic population, it can spell disaster for diabetic patients. This does not mean they have to forego the pleasures simply because they are diabetic. With numerous diabetic friendly variants available in the market today, it is just a matter of right choosing. For a diabetic, healthy means something which reduces the consumption of simple carbohydrates and sugar. So, in order to fulfill the between-the-meal cravings, one can opt for snacks rich in proteins, fibre and complex carbohydrates. However, remember to limit at 150 calories or less at each snack time. Read on to find out what are the viable healthy snacking options for diabetics.

 

Nuts like almonds, walnuts, peanuts, cashews and pecans are a healthy way to soothe your munch-cravings. Nuts contain monounsaturated fats or good fats which aid in lowering the cholesterol level in the blood and hence reduce the risk of heart ailments. However, being loaded with calories, it is advisable to eat just a handful of them at each snack time.

 

Carbohydrates are both good and bad. Fruits like apple, pear, peach and veggies like beans, tomatoes, carrots, radish, cucumber and capsicum contain unrefined or good carbohydrates. The fiber content in these foods slows down not only the absorption of carbohydrates, but the process of turning carbohydrates into glucose as well. They also contain antioxidants, which fight the free radicals and reduce the risk of diabetes related complications. However, fruits with high sugar content like grapes, dates and watermelon should be avoided. Non-starchy vegetable cooked into soup is another way you can savor a low-carb snack.

 

A cup of sugar-free fruit flavored yoghurt is both nourishing and a sweet treat and can be a near perfect snacking option for patients diagnosed with diabetes. Besides fulfilling the protein, carbohydrate and fat intake, the fruit adds to the Vitamin C, calcium and fiber content in the body.

 

A generous lapping of non-hydrogenated peanut butter on a high fiber wholegrain cracker or muffin is not only satisfying for your taste buds, but is also a healthy, wholesome snack to binge on.

 

Slice a cantaloupe or melon and top it with low fat cottage cheese. The melon’s natural sweetness would be enhanced by it. While the melon is a rich source of vitamin A, C and folate, cottage cheese fulfills the calcium requirement of the body. All in all, with a zing of mint, this snack rules the charts.

 

Pour dark chocolate containing least added sugar into a bowl containing ripe and juicy fresh strawberries. Ah, sinful! Strawberries are both fat free and rich in Vitamin C. So, for a snack take two-three medium to large sized strawberries, pour a thin coating of chocolate over it and sit back and savor each bite of this succulent snack!

 

Take half a cup fruit flavored gelatin and top it with whipped cream. Since it's both sugar and fat free, rest assured, you are safe. Make sure you try different gelatin fruit flavors to keep your taste buds from snorting.

 

Popcorn can make for a great munch-on, its high fiber content being an added boon. Select a low-fat variety of popcorns which can be micro-waved or air-popped. Pour into a large bowl, and make sure it has very less or absolutely no salt and butter content. Munch through this crunchy snack and satiate your matinee hunger pangs.