5 Naturally Sugar-free Snacks to Manage Diabetes
For diabetics, picking out a healthy sugar-free snack can post quite a challenge, but it is necessary to keep the blood sugar levels in check. The snacks should be rich in fiber, protein, and healthy fats to help diabetics maintain a healthy weight and manage the condition to lead a quality life.
Studies show that when diabetes patients combine a healthy, fiber- and protein-rich, low sugar diet with doctor prescribed medical treatments such as insulin pumps and injections, blood sugar improves significantly. Also, talk to your doctor about the many treatments and tools that can help you achieve a better quality of life—such as the daily monitoring of your blood sugar levels with help of medical glucose monitors and meters, islet cell transplant for type 1 diabetes (which involves transplantation of islet cells from a donor pancreas), and options for weight loss surgery or reducing weight via exercising and managing your diet. Remember that keeping your blood sugar levels in check by consuming oral diabetes medications prescribed by your healthcare professional at the proper dosage is imperative to your ongoing health. Read on for some naturally sugar-free snack options for diabetics:
- Hard-boiled eggs: Eggs are packed with nutrients, are extremely good for overall health, and make for a great naturally sugar-free snack for diabetics. Additionally, one hard-boiled egg provides up to 6 grams of protein, which is really helpful for diabetics as it keeps blood sugar levels from shooting up too high after a meal or a snack. Also, obesity can be one of the challenges faced by a diabetic, but it can be prevented by choosing hard-boiled eggs as a snack, as it keeps one feeling full for longer.
- Yogurt: Yogurt contains probiotics that are known for their ability to lower blood sugar levels. Yogurt is also an especially good source of protein and, when combined with berries, it can make for an ideal naturally sugar-free snack for diabetics. This combination is also delicious as the tartness of the yogurt is perfectly balanced out by the sweetness of the berries. Berries are also great sources of fiber and contain antioxidants that can prevent damage to the cells in the pancreas, helping them release hormones that aid in lowering the blood sugar levels in the body.
- Almonds: Almonds are a healthy, no-guilt snack that a diabetic can enjoy at any time of the day. These nuts help lower the insulin levels in the body, helping diabetics maintain healthy blood sugar levels. It is quite a well-known fact that diabetics need to pick out snacks rich in fiber, protein, and healthy fats, and almonds fit the bill perfectly. Almonds are also good for the heart and help in reducing cholesterol levels, but it’s best to consume them in moderation as they are also high in calories.
- Veggies and hummus: Vegetables are a great source of essential vitamins and minerals, and vegetable sticks paired with hummus make for an excellent naturally sugar-free snack for diabetics. Hummus is a dip made with chickpeas and is a great source of fiber, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Some of the vegetables that can be paired with a hummus dip are broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and bell pepper.
- Avocados: In the case of diabetics, snacking on avocado can help control the blood sugar levels. Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and fiber, both of which are necessary for the body. Similar to almonds, avocados are also high in calories, so i’s best to watch the portion size.
In addition to the above mentioned superfoods for diabetes, talk to your doctor about potential medications to help manage your symptoms, such as Trulicity and Humalog insulin for type 1 diabetes. To help offset the costs of prescription medication costs, talk to your healthcare provider about Truilicity Rx discount coupons.