Snacks To Help Manage Diabetes

Diabetes results in the compromised function of the pancreas. To be more specific, it alters the production of insulin. This is the hormone responsible for managing blood sugar! One of two things happens. Either the body doesn’t make enough insulin, or it can’t use what it makes effectively. Those with diabetes experience increased thirst and extreme hunger. They also pee more frequently, lose weight without trying, and are fatigued more often. They also deal with irritability and blurred vision, among many other symptoms.

Thankfully, there are many ways to manage diabetes. Many people turn to hypoglycemic drugs and get an insulin prescription. A blood sugar monitor helps people with diabetes keep track of their levels easier. There are also several natural remedies to help people manage their blood sugar and diabetes well. Snacks aren’t off the table!

A Handful Of Nuts

Nuts contain good fats, are high in fiber, and are a healthy protein for those with diabetes. This is because all three keep their blood sugar stable. This is backed by years of research! Although all nuts are great snacks for diabetes, handfuls of certain ones pack a little more power. Specifically, diabetes patients are best suited to reach for walnuts, almonds, cashews, and pistachios. Pecans and hazelnuts are also great!

The best snack when it comes to a handful of nuts, though, is to get a variety. Different nuts have different vitamin and nutrient levels. Keep things balanced! Of course, people with diabetes should avoid salted nuts, since they can harm their heart. Unsalted nuts don’t!

An Apple A Day

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. They’re also delicious! Apples contain lots of fiber, antioxidants, and flavonoids. They also are helpful for diabetes since they are a source of natural sugar rather than refined. Of course, the key is to consume them in moderation. Eating apples twice a week is a great way to have them as a snack. Most of the fiber apples have is in the skin, so keeping the skin on helps the most. The antioxidants they contain are in the skin too! Apples with natural peanut butter make for an even better snack to help manage diabetes. Both avoid blood sugar spikes, and natural peanut butter is also an excellent source of protein. Yum!

Chomp On Pomegranates

Eating pomegranate arils is yet another delicious snack that helps manage diabetes quite well. They contain lots of antioxidants, much like apples! Although they are very sweet, the sugar in pomegranates doesn’t make blood sugar spike. This is exactly why people with diabetes can chow down on them! The sweetness actually makes them perfect for an evening snack. They can replace sugary desserts those with diabetes can’t have!

Although they are delicious alone, sprinkling pomegranate arils on plain yogurt is also a great choice. The sweetness of the pomegranates lessens the bitterness of plain yogurt. And if it’s plain greek yogurt, there is also lots of healthy protein to sustain energy!

Sip On Fruit Smoothies

Homemade fruit smoothies are an amazing and healthy snack that also helps diabetes. The fruits mentioned so far, like pomegranates, apples, and even others like blueberries and cranberries, make for sweet bases in fruit smoothies. They have natural sugars, but they all seem to help people manage their diabetes well. They are also full of nutrients like antioxidants and fiber.

Smoothies can also contain leafy greens and avocados, which bring in even more nutrients like healthy fats and iron. People with diabetes should use plain yogurt and unsweetened soy or almond milk in their fruit smoothies. These help finish off the smoothie without adding refined sugars. Water would be just fine too if it’s preferred!

Dive Into Fruit Salad

It’s clear: fruit is a winner when it comes to snacks to help manage diabetes. Fruit salad is especially effective since it can combine many different fruits into one snack! A great choice is a berry salad with blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, and even strawberries. Pomegranate arils are at home in a fruit salad like this as well. Talk about antioxidants! Honey-balsamic dressings are also great to pour over fruit salad, though these salads are delicious on their own. Apples are always delicious in salads. Oranges work too! People with diabetes should look at the flavors they like and work on avoiding unnecessary sugar for the best snack for their condition.