It doesn’t matter if you are a woman with diabetes or a man, managing your blood sugar is always a challenge. One of the biggest challenges to overcome with diabetes is snacking. Instead of just grabbing anything when hunger strikes, choosing the right snacks is key. 

Snacking can be a helpful way to manage your blood sugar levels. When you choose the right snacks, they can provide energy between meals and prevent your blood sugar from dropping too low. However, not all snacks are good for managing diabetes. In this article, we will go over several tips to help you keep your snacks healthy and your diabetes under control. 

#1. Count Your Carbs

Counting carbohydrates is a key part of managing diabetes, especially when it comes to snacking. Carbs have a direct impact on your blood sugar levels more than fats and proteins do. Understanding how many carbs are in your snacks can help you control your blood sugar levels throughout the day.

Choosing snacks with lower carb amounts can make managing your blood sugar easier. Snacks like cheese, nuts, and healthy crackers for diabetics are good choices. They can satisfy your hunger without adding too many carbs to your diet. 

To count carbs effectively for snacks, start by looking at food labels. They tell you the total number of carbohydrates in each serving. It’s important to check the serving size too. Sometimes, what you think of as one serving might be more. This is especially true for snacks.

#2. Choose Low-Glycemic Snacks

The glycemic index (GI) measures how quickly food raises your blood sugar levels. Foods are ranked on a scale from 0 to 100. Foods with a high GI are absorbed fast, causing blood sugar levels to spike quickly. On the other hand, low-GI foods are absorbed slowly, helping keep your blood sugar levels more stable.

Examples of low-GI snacks include whole fruits like apples, berries, and oranges. These are not only low in GI but also provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Yoghurt, especially plain Greek yoghurt, is another excellent low-GI snack. It’s rich in protein, which can help you feel full longer. Nuts and seeds are also great options. They are low in GI and offer healthy fats, making them a satisfying snack.

#3. Focus on Proteins

Protein and good fats are important for keeping your blood sugar steady. They slow down how fast sugar gets into your blood. This means your blood sugar doesn’t jump up too quickly after you eat. Snacks with protein and good fats can help you feel full longer too.

Protein is harder for your body to break down, so sugar goes into your blood slower. Good fats work the same way, making digestion slower. This helps keep your blood sugar level more even. Snacks with both protein and good fats are great for people with diabetes.

Snacks like almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds are full of protein, good fats, and fiber which makes them a smart choice for a snack.

John M