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If you've been diagnosed with Diabetes you're learning that you will have to make a lot of changes in your daily life. If you're thinking one of the changes you're going to have to make is saying "Good-bye" to the good old American pastime of "snacking", that's completely wrong! Being Diabetic doesn't mean you will have to give up sugar, fat or carbohydrates-all the ingredients of a good snack-- for the rest of your existence. Being Diabetic just means that you have to snack healthy and smart!
Whether you're snacking in front of the TV during the game, at a holiday party or just keeping your blood glucose levels from dropping, here is a list some healthy snacks at about 15-grams of carbohydrate each. Remember to think creatively and experiment with mixing some of these choices together for a new taste treat-just cut the portions in half to stay at about the 15-gram count.
v 4 to 6 whole wheat crackers with a little low-fat cheese (1 oz) or low-fat cottage cheese (1/4 cup)
v 4 to 6 whole wheat crackers with a little peanut butter (2 tablespoons)
v 3 cups of popcorn, air-popped, with low-fat or no butter
v 6-12 tortilla chips with salsa
v 12 to 18 baked potato chips
v 3/4 oz pretzels
v 1 slice of toast with melted low-fat cheese (1 oz)
v 2 Rice cakes
v 1/2 pita
v 1/2 English muffin
v 1/2 small bagel (2oz)
v 3 gingersnaps, or 5 vanilla wafers, or 8 animal crackers
v 1/2 cup fresh fruit
v 3 graham crackers
v 3 pieces of dried fruit
v A smoothie of 1/2 cup of low-fat milk and 1/4 cup of fresh fruit
v 1/4 cup of regular putting or 1/2 cup of sugar-free pudding
v 1/2 dup of regular or no-added -sugar ice cream
v 1 cup of low-fat yogurt with artificial fruit flavor/sweetener
v 1/2 cup of frozen yogurt, no sugar added
v 1/4 cup sherbet or sorbet
v 1 granola bar
v 43 cheese fish crackers
v 1/2 cut of chex cereal mix
v 3/4 cup of dry unsweetened cereal such a Cheerios corn flakes
v 1 small piece of fresh fruit
v 1/2 cup of canned fruit
v 4 oz juice box
v 3 mini muffins
v 1 Rice Krispie treat bar
v 1/4 cup of trail mix
v 3 cups of raw vegetables such as fresh broccoli, carrots, celery or zucchini with 2 tablespoons of dip
Remember that it will take a while to learn how to adjust to the changes in your diet and new lifestyle after being diagnosed as a Diabetic. With practice you can have a satisfying diet, keep your blood sugar under control and snack happy. Learn to eat for your health!
Did you find these tips on diabetic snacking useful? You can learn a lot more about how eating the right kinds of healthy foods can help you here.
Ruth Walby
