If you are diabetic, choosing snacks can be a frustrating task. Most of the snacks available in the market today are highly processed and contain ingredients that can cause sudden sugar spikes. So, it is important to scrutinize, and choose healthy and nutritious snacks that can give you the satisfaction of snacking without guilt or health problems. This content will make it easier for you by providing some tips and tricks to make tasty and smart choices.
Why is Smart Snacking Important for Diabetics?
Snacking plays an important role in the diet plan of diabetic patients. It prevents any type of sudden drops in the blood sugar levels, curbs overeating, and keeps the energy level consistent. However, it is important for you to understand that not all snacks are curated correctly. So, you should choose healthy snacks for diabetics by considering some important factors. Firstly, the snacks you choose should have a low glycemic index (GI), contain good amounts of fiber and protein, and should not contain added sugars.
Below Mentioned are Snacks for Diabetic Patients in India
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Hard boiled eggs can be a simple, quick, complete protein snack for people with diabetics. One hard boiled egg provides around 6.3 grams of protein and half grams of carbs. The protein prevents blood spikes after meals. It also promotes fullness and helps in lowering the calorie intake.
Yogurt with Berries
Berries are not just delicious, but also very nutritious foods that you can add to your diabetic diet. They are a great source of fiber, which stabilises blood sugar levels and slows digestion after eating. Yogurt is also associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes, due to the probiotics it contains. You can add different types of berries to nonfatty yogurt and consume as a healthy snack.
Handful of Almonds
Almonds support the heart health of people with diabetes. It reduces the LDL cholesterol levels in blood and ensures glucose metabolism. The magnesium content in almonds is responsible for maintaining ideal glucose metabolism. Just a handful of unsalted plain almonds contain 6 grams of carbs and almost 3 grams of dietary fiber. They also contain healthy fats which will make you full for a longer period of time and avoid unnecessary cravings.
Roasted Chickpeas
This is a simple, protein rich snack that you can enjoy anytime of the day. In fact, it has been a part of Indian snacking habits for centuries. Just half a cup of chickpeas have around 7 grams of protein, 22.45 grams of carbs and 6 grams of fibre. You can simply roast and consume chickpeas as a snack, which makes it crunchy and convenient. You can roast them using olive oil.
If you are not able to roast these chickpeas, you can find ready made roasted chickpeas from Healthy Master. There are many flavors of chana snacks to choose from.
Chia Seed Pudding
Chia seed pudding is also another healthy and nutritious quick snack for people with diabetes. Making this snack is also quite simple. All you have to do is to soak chia seeds in milk until you get a pudding link consistency. You can garnish it with dried berries, nuts and seeds of your choice. Chia seeds are rich in a wide range of nutrients and will help you to stabilize the blood sugar levels. These seeds are also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids which are vital for your body.
Trail Mix
If you are looking for something quick, healthy and a mix of flavors, trail mixes could be a great option. This is a mix of different types of nuts, seeds and dry fruits. They enrich your body with healthy fats, fiber, proteins and healthy fats. However, as they are high in calories, it is important to keep the portion size in mind. A reasonable serving or a handful is enough for the day.
Apart from the above mentioned options, best snacks for diabetics include veggie sticks with hummus, peanut butter with celery sticks, homemade protein bars, edamame, black bean salad, popcorn, tuna salad, cottage cheese, chicken roll up and other options.
A Dedicated Section for Diabetic Snacks
If you are looking for more options, you can find a complete list of products provided by Healthy Master. In fact, there is a dedicated section for diabetic-friendly snacks, where you will find a huge list of snacks to choose from. This will help you to enjoy different types of snacks and stock up easily.
Additional Tips to Consider:
As mentioned above, there are different factors that come into play when choosing snacks for diabetes patients. Even though you succeed in choosing the right snacks, there are some important factors to consider. Some of them are:
Portion Control: It does not matter how healthy the snack is, if you consume them in large quantities without any control, it can cause sugar spikes. Therefore, it is imperative to stick to the recommended serving sizes.
Avoid Hidden Sugar: It is also important to be cautious about the snacks that contain hidden sugars. There are some snacks available in the market that are labelled healthy or low fat, but contain hidden sugar. In such cases, it is important to read the complete ingredients and make sure you are choosing sugar free snacks for diabetics.
Combining Nutrition: You should combine different nutrients to enjoy a balanced snacking experience. You can pair carbs with healthy fats or protein for better sugar control. For instance, you can pair different fruits with nuts and seeds.
Conclusion
Most people give up on snacks when they are diabetic due to the lack of options. However, if you look closely and consider a few important aspects, you will come across many healthy and tasty options. A good thumb rule is to look for snacks that are high in protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
As mentioned above, you can find some of the best diabetic-friendly snacks provided by Healthy Master.
FAQs
How can I select snacks for diabetic patients?
A diabetic-friendly snack should be typically high in fiber, low in sugar, and should have a low GI (glycemic index value). This ensures that the snacks maintain steady blood sugar levels even after consumption.
Can a person with diabetes enjoy traditional snacks?
Yes! A person with diabetics may enjoy some of the traditional snacks like roasted makhana, roasted chickpeas and unsweetened dahi. There are also many healthy snacks made using healthy ingredients suitable for diabetic patients.
Are packed snacks safe for diabetics?
Some packed snacks can be safe for diabetics if they are labelled diabetic friendly, low sugar and low GI. It is always important to check the nutritional label and read the ingredients.
How often should diabetic people snack?
A person suffering from diabetics should eat small, frequent snacks every 2 to 3 hours to prevent any type of sudden blood sugar spikes.
What are some easy snack options available for diabetics?
Some quick and simple snack options for diabetic people include dry fruits in limited quantities, protein bars, nuts and seeds, and nutritiously curated desi Indian snacks.