Best Snacks For Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Posted on by Jordan Soblick

A healthy diet is an absolute necessity for anyone living with diabetes. What you put into your body plays an oversize role in the amount of glucose you have in your bloodstream. Therefore, a well-balanced and diabetes-friendly diet can be the key to keeping diabetes in check.

Understandably, meals are a big focus of dietary planning for people with diabetes. But man does not live on meals alone. We all enjoy, want, or need snacks from time to time throughout the day. Those living with diabetes should put as much thought into the kinds of snacks they eat as they do when making breakfast, lunch, and dinner choices.

The key to healthy snacking is choosing foods that are high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats. These nutrients will help control your blood sugar and promote your overall health.

Next time you need something to nibble on between meals, considering the following snack options:

  • Hard-boiled eggs. Protein can keep blood sugar levels from rising too much after eating, and eggs are a fantastic source of protein. Eggs also make you feel full, another important aspect of managing type 2 diabetes.
  • Chock full of over 15 essential vitamins and minerals, almonds may also help control blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. Studies of diabetics who incorporated almonds into their diets showed that they experienced decreases in their blood sugar of between three and nine percent.
  • The high fiber content and monounsaturated fatty acids in avocados may prevent blood sugar levels from spiking after a meal.
  • Cottage cheese. In one study, men who ate 25 grams of cottage cheese with 50 grams of sugar had 38% lower blood sugar afterward than those who consumed sugar alone.
  • If you avoid the movie-theater butter, popcorn is an extremely healthy snack for people with diabetes. Its low calorie count can help with weight control, which in turn can promote lower blood sugar levels.
  • Cheese and (whole grain) crackers. The fat in cheese and fiber in crackers may prevent them from spiking your blood sugar. The cheese fat may also slow the digestion of carbohydrates, reduce insulin levels, and promote the release of hormones that lower blood sugar.
  • Beef sticks. Tasty, compact, and convenient, beef sticks are a great diabetic snack because they are high in protein and low in carbs.
  • Veggies and hummus. One study found that individuals who consumed at least one ounce of hummus at a meal had blood sugar and insulin levels four times lower than those who consumed white bread. DDipping some carrots, celery, or other vegetables in hummus provides plenty of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Other Aspects Of Healthy Diabetic Eating

Other considerations for healthy diabetic eating include:

  • Limiting foods that are high in added sugar
  • Eating three meals a day at regular intervals
  • Eating smaller portions, spread out over the day
  • Staying aware of the amount of carbs you eat and when you eat them
  • Eating less fat
  • Limiting alcohol use
  • Using less salt
  • Monitoring blood sugar levels after each meal

Monitoring Glucose Levels As Part Of Your Healthy Lifestyle

Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is an essential complement to a healthy diet in managing diabetes. While pricking a finger multiple times a day has been the prevailing method to monitor glucose levels, it is also an inconvenient and uncomfortable process. Fortunately, for many people with diabetes, a new, proven, tested, and reliable alternative is available that can make finger pricking a thing of the past. 

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) is a transceiver device that helps those with diabetes monitor their blood sugar levels 24 hours a day without any need to interrupt their day to obtain a sample.

CGM has easy-to-use features that can help each person proactively record and track glucose levels—as well as provide valuable insights on data that helps manage exercise, meals, and daily health status.

Contact us today to see if you qualify for CGM and access our guide to continuous glucose monitoring.

CALL US TO QUALIFY NOW

If you are not insured, or have a high deductible health insurance plan, you can still purchase the Freestyle Libre Reader and Sensors at extremely competitive prices. Prices starting as low as $99 per month

1-888-308-0094

*Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings when you suspect readings may be in accurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

Reference 1: Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care. 2, FreeStyle Libre 14 day User’s Manual

Indications and Important Safety Information

FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 14 day Flash Glucose Monitoring systems are continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices indicated for replacing blood glucose testing and detecting trends and tracking patterns aiding in the detection of episodes of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, facilitating both acute and long-term therapy adjustments in persons (age 18 and older) with diabetes. The systems are intended for single patient use and require a prescription.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Remove the sensor before MRI, CT scan, X-ray, or diathermy treatment.

WARNINGS/LIMITATIONS: Do not ignore symptoms that may be due to low or high blood glucose, hypoglycemic unawareness, or dehydration. Check sensor glucose readings with a blood glucose meter when Check Blood Glucose symbol appears, when symptoms do not match system readings, or when readings are suspected to be inaccurate. The system does not have alarms unless the sensor is scanned, and the system contains small parts that may be dangerous if swallowed. The system is not approved for pregnant women, persons on dialysis, or critically-ill population. Sensor placement is not approved for sites other than the back of the arm and standard precautions for transmission of blood borne pathogens should be taken. The built-in blood glucose meter is not for use on dehydrated, hypotensive, in shock, hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state, with or without ketosis, neonates, critically-ill patients, or for diagnosis or screening of diabetes. When using FreeStyle LibreLink app, access to a blood glucose monitoring system is required as the app does not provide one. Review all product information before use or contact Abbott Toll Free (855-632-8658) or visit www.freestylelibre.us for detailed indications for use and safety information.html. . FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are trademarks of Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. in various jurisdictions. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2018 Abbott. ADC-09691 vLO 10/18

*The FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre 14 day reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings, when you suspect readings may be inaccurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 app and the FreeStyle Libre 2 reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol and when your glucose alarms and readings from the system do not match symptoms or expectations

‡‡‡Based on the sensor being replaced once every 14 days, and scanned at least once every 8 hours.

§§§Glucose readings are not available during 1-hour warm-up, when sensor is too hot or too cold, when you see an error or "LO" or "HI" message, or no current glucose reading