When you are a diabetic, it can be difficult to know what snacks are safe and how much of them you can safely consume in one sitting. Use the following tips to help you find snacks and portions that are safe for you to enjoy when the urge to snack hits.
First and foremost, be sure that you are snacking because you are actually hungry. If you feel that you are hungry, limit the number of calories in your snack to no more than 150. It will make it difficult for you to choose a snack that is unhealthy by limiting the calorie count.
The words fat-free or low-fat on labels can be very deceiving. The deception is in the fact that you get it in your mind that you can indulge in more than what you would if that little label was not on it.
Do not grab a bag of snacks and curl up on the couch for a good movie. Instead, get a plate out of the cupboard and put a small portion of the snack food on the plate. If you head to the couch with the entire bag, you will eat more than you intend to.
Spend a little more money on the bags of snacks that are single servings. It might cost you a bit more, but they will keep you from over-indulging. Just be sure that once the bag is empty, you do not go and get another.
Grab a handful of your favorite nuts. Nuts are full of nutrients that will help lessen the chances of heart disease. They are low in carbohydrates, so it will not raise your blood sugar level. Do not go too crazy with them, as they are heavy in calories.
Get out some whole grain crackers and a jar of peanut butter. The peanut butter is good for you and it will help you to eat fewer crackers then you would without it.
Vegetables are a quick, easy and healthy snack. You can usually use an extra serving of vegetables in your daily diet, and they will help fill you up between meals. If you find raw vegetables to be boring or not very tasty, use hummus or yogurt to dip them in.
Make a big batch of vegetable soup and freeze individual servings. You will then have it ready any time you feel hungry. Make sure that the vegetables that you use in the soup are not starchy vegetables.
Mix up a fruit smoothie for yourself. Use non-fat yogurt and fresh fruits to mix up a tasty treat in minutes. You can customize this snack to include the fruits that you enjoy the most. It is filling, healthy and easy to make.
Have a craving for chocolate? Buy a box of sugar-free fudge-cicles to keep in your freezer. Limit yourself to one or two a week and enjoy them as you are eating them.
Your meal plan for each day should include a small snack if you have diabetes. Use the ideas above to plan out your snacks for the week and never be afraid to snack again.