Four Healthy and Easy Diabetes-Friendly Foods

When you’re starving and need a snack to tide you over, the easiest and quickest options always win. However, ready-to-go, packaged snacks have a reputation for being low in nutrients and high in sugars, which isn’t ideal for individuals with diabetes. But there are plenty of packaged or shelf-stable foods that are both diabetes-friendly and convenient – here are four healthy and easy diabetes-friendly snacks.

1. Nut Butter and Fruit

Nuts are rich in heart-healthy fats that curb hunger and help stabilize blood sugar levels. Keeping a jar of nut butter (any kind: peanut, almond, cashew, etc.) in the pantry ensures you always have a healthy snack at hand. Pair it with a banana or apple for a filling snack that you can easily and quickly make.

2. Nutritious Ready-to-Eat Meals

Many pre-packaged, microwaveable meals in the grocery store are full of preservatives, sugars, and salt and made with low-quality ingredients. However, a high-quality, balanced, microwaveable meal, such as prepared meals for diabetics from MagicKitchen.com, is a simple and quick option for mealtime. All our meals are balanced with complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and protein and are low in sodium.

3. Hard-Boiled Eggs

Hard-boiled eggs are high in protein, and you can make them in advance for a healthy grab-and-go snack. Keep them in the fridge and add them to your meal whenever you need a quick source of protein, such as in your sandwich or salad.

4. Canned Beans

Canned beans should be a staple in every pantry. They are inexpensive, high in protein and fiber, non-perishable, and easy to prepare. Bake some chickpeas with olive oil and seasoning for a crunchy, healthy snack, or use black beans as your source of protein for meals. There is so much variety in the type of beans and their use.

The most important part of healthy eating and managing diabetes is to prepare. Having no healthy snacks in the pantry or fridge means you’re more likely to reach for the low-nutrient, high-sugar pre-packaged snacks. With a bit of prep and smart shopping, you can have easy-to-grab, diabetic-friendly foods and snacks that are delicious and filling.