In a world filled with tasty bites, it’s no wonder that snacking between meals is so popular. Snacking isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it is something we should all be more educated about. For those with diabetes, finding the right snack is essential for making informed choices about what to eat and managing blood sugar levels and overall health. Join us as we explore a few of the best healthy snacks for diabetics!
Why is Healthy Snacking Important?
When it comes to snacks for diabetics, choosing wisely can have several benefits, such as maintaining stable blood sugar levels, reducing hemoglobin A1C, protecting heart health, and preventing other health problems linked to diabetes, like kidney disease, nerve damage, and blurry vision. Selecting snacks that are low in unhealthy fats, sugars and other processed ingredients can be of benefit. By prioritizing nutrient-dense snacks, individuals with diabetes can work toward improving their overall health and well-being!
Which Diabetic Snacks Are Best (and Which to Avoid)
Understanding which foods can help maintain stable blood sugar levels and contribute to overall health is key to making smarter snacking choices. Here are some of the best snacks to include in your diet as someone with diabetes:
- Fruits: apples, bananas, oranges, pears, cherries, grapes, watermelon, berries
- Non-starchy vegetables: celery, cucumber, peppers, tomatoes
- Lean meats: chicken, turkey, beef, pork, lamb, veal
- Fish & other seafood
- Plant-based proteins: beans (black, kidney, pinto), hummus, edamame, tempeh, tofu
It’s also important to avoid certain types of foods that can negatively impact blood sugar levels and overall health, such as:
- Foods with added sugar
- Foods with trans and saturated fats
- Processed foods
- Red and processed meat
Additional Tips for Healthier Snacking
Choosing the right foods to eat and snack on is a great place to start your journey to better health, but sometimes it’s not as easy as simply buying the right foods. Here are some further tips you can follow:
- Monitor portion sizes
- Practice mindful eating and listening to your body
- Keep nutritious grab-and-go snacks on hand
- Prioritize at least 5 grams of fiber intake per serving
- Consult a doctor or dietitian if you struggle with regulating your blood sugar
Incorporating these healthy snacks for diabetics and tips into your daily routine can have positive impacts on your overall health and help manage your diabetes more effectively. The key is to remember that it’s not just what you avoid, but also what and how you choose to enjoy. By making more informed choices you can take more confident steps on finding a routine that works for your body.
Having health insurance is crucial for managing diabetes. If you enroll in health insurance through Nevada Health Link, you cannot be denied coverage for a pre-existing condition, such as diabetes. Visit NevadaHealthLink.com to discover affordable health insurance that fits your needs and budget.
