Diabetes
Information, Symptoms, Treatments and Resources
Diabetes-Friendly Snacks
5 Keys to Snacking Success
5 Keys to Snacking Success
When choosing a snack, keep these tips in mind:
- Only reach for a bite if you are going several hours between meals and need to keep your blood sugar from falling, or to keep you from getting too hungry (which inevitably will set you up to overeat at your next meal).
- Stick with a snack-sized portion, not a mini-meal. Aim for 100-200 calories total in your snack, or slightly more if you are very active.
- Look for foods that fill in nutritional gaps. "Most people don't get enough fruits and vegetables, so every meal and snack can be an opportunity to fix this problem," says Weisenberger.
- Choose snacks that contain both protein and fiber, two ingredients that will fill you up and keep you satisfied until your next meal.
- If you are munching because you are hungry but your blood glucose is at target or even high, choose a snack that is low in carbohydrates to keep your blood sugar from going any higher.
By Rachel Meltzer Warren, MS, RD. Rachel is a New York City-based nutrition writer, educator and counselor, and owner of Nutritionista Communication + Consulting. Published May 3, 2011.
Reviewed by Nora Saul, MS, RD, LDN, CDE on April 26, 2015.
