Healthy Snacks That Won't Spike Blood Sugar Levels

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When you hear the phrase “snack food” there’s a good chance foods like cookies, soda, treats, and chips come to mind. But if you have diabetes, these snack foods have the potential to cause huge spikes in blood sugar levels, so you should avoid or limit them.

Keeping your blood sugar in check when you have diabetes isn’t your only goal when you decide what to eat. Your food choices can also put you at risk for hypertension and other health problems.

So when you are hungry for a snack, what should you eat? Choose foods that won’t cause rapid increases in blood sugar levels. That means you shouldn’t eat the typical snack foods. But there are plenty of snack foods you can enjoy.

Eat protein-rich foods. Try nuts, beans, eggs, and cheese, the next time you’re hungry for a snack. Trail mix (without sweetened ingredients like chocolate or lots of dried fruit), Greek yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese, or lean meats are good too.

Protein helps you feel fuller. Plus your body uses protein to keep your muscles, skin, and organs healthy. Choose high-fiber snacks. Still got a craving for a snack? Or want something to eat in between meals? Another good option for people with diabetes is high-fiber snacks.

You should aim to eat about 25 grams of fiber a day. Why? Foods high in fiber take longer to digest and help control blood sugar levels.

A cup of split-pea soup contains about 16 grams of fiber. Broccoli, raspberries, avocados, pears, and whole grain oats or pasta are also high in fiber.

Snack foods for diabetics: If you’re looking at this list of recommended snack foods and still salivating for some potato chips, you’re in luck. There are actually chips made specifically for those with diabetes that are lower in potassium and sodium than a bag of chips from the vending machine. Try MagicKitchen.com’s BBQ Chips, Kettle Corn Crisps, or Lightly Salted Potato Chips. And if you’re craving something a little sweeter, you’ll like the Chocolate Caramel Crisps or White Drizzle Crisps.

Go ahead and enjoy. But don’t forget to keep your daily carbohydrate intake in check to manage your diabetes.