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Choosing ahealthy snack for diabetesis quite similar to general healthy snacking guidelines (with just a few caveats).
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It’s perfectly cheesy and contains just enough crunch for a flavored popcorn.
It’s also made with just a handful of simple ingredients and is vegan and certified gluten-free.
Plus they’re made with only two ingredients: vegetables and a little oil.
PHOTO: Amazon
Taste-wise, they measure up with plenty of crunch and tons of flavor.
Nutrition Info for Terra Heritage Blend Chips, per 1 oz.
What to know:Ten chips counts as one serving.
PHOTO: Amazon
The black beans give these chips a nutritional leg up with more protein and fiber than other tortilla-style chips.
They contain a mix of corn, flax, sesame and sunflower seeds, lending a hearty flavor.
But most importantly, they pair well with your two favorite tortilla chip dipssalsa and guacamole.
PHOTO: Amazon
Nutrition Info for Food Should Taste Good Black Bean Multigrain Chips, per 1 oz.
What to know:Comes in 1-ounce snack bags, perfect for packed lunches and built-in portion control.
Nutrition Info for Harvest Snaps Peas, per 1 oz.
PHOTO: Target
What to know:Also available in other flavors, including Basil & Garlic, Rosemary and Jalapeno.
Remember those orange cheese puffs that came in a bag from your childhood?
These chickpea puffs are reminiscent of those, except made with ingredients you might feel great about.
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All four flavorsnacho, barbecue, sriracha and vegan white cheddarprovide a good mix of protein and fiber.
They can be a bit addictive, so portion out your serving and eat them mindfully.
What to know:Part-skim mozzarella string cheese isnt the same as “light.”
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String cheese makes a great snack either on its own or paired with crackers, veggies or even fruit.
And this Sargento Light String Cheese is a tasty option that won’t break the bank.
Because the majority of fat in cheese is saturated fatwhich should be limitedwe recommend choosing the reduced-fat mozzarella.
PHOTO: Target
Nutrition Info for Bada Bean Bada Boom Crunchy Broad Beans, per 1 oz.
When you want a lower-carb cookie that is made with real ingredients, this is the cookie for you.
Just a little added sugar goes a long way in making these cookies perfect for satisfying a sweet craving.
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The mini size also allows you to eat more of them without worrying about overdoing it on the carbs.
If chunky peanut butter is your thing, Teddie’s also makes a chunky version.
Pair with an apple for the perfect balanced snack.
PHOTO: Amazon
Many nut butters add unnecessary oils and sugarskip these.
Nutrition Info for Teddie All Natural Smooth Peanut Butter, per 2 Tbsp.
Most flavored yogurts are loaded with added sugar or contain alternative sweeteners, which we recommend limiting.
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It’s also perfectly creamy and has a very “natural” black cherry flavor.
What to know:Contains more sodium than other brands of cottage cheese.
Of all the cottage cheese we tested, this is by far the creamiest and best-tasting option.
PHOTO: FreshDirect
What to know:Each package of guacamole includes four mini cups.
Pair with fresh veggies or a small handful of your favorite tortilla chip for a satisfying snack.
What to know:On their own, theyre not a good source of fiber or protein.
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Because water is removed, the per-serving amount of carbs is typically higher than in whole fruit.
Many dried fruits contain over 30 g of carbs per serving (the ones here contain 20 g).
It’s full of poly- and monounsaturated fatsboth great for heart health.
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The mix of nuts and seeds also provides a variety of nutrients such as magnesium, potassium and iron.
Nutrition Info for Planters NUT-rition Omega 3 Mix, per 3 Tbsp.
What to know:Also available in Pink Himalayan Salt and Vermont Maple Sugar & Sea Salt flavors.
PHOTO: Amazon
When you’re craving a little chocolate, these chocolate-dusted pumpkin seeds are the perfect solution.
What to know:Although this bar contains some added sugar, most of it comes from organic honey.
What could be more perfect?
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What to know:Also available in full size jerky sticks, although theyre higher in sodium.
Unlike other jerky brands, Chomps meat sticks are all-natural and sugar-free, containing no nitrates or sweeteners.
Want something salty and crunchy?
PHOTO: Courtesy of Superseedz
Choosing a Packaged Snack for Diabetes
Choosing the best diabetes-friendly packaged snacks starts with reading food labels.
The ingredient list and nutrition facts can help you choose nutritious snacks that wont wreck blood sugar.
If you need on-the-go snacks or dislike portioning your own snacks, look for single serving snack packs.
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These guidelines are similar to ourhomemade diabetes-snack snack guidelines.
Common Questions
What makes a snack diabetes friendly?
Diabetes-friendly snacks should help you keep your blood sugar levels within the normal range.
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Foods that contain slower-digesting nutrients, like protein, fiber and unsaturated fats, can help balance blood sugar.
The fewer carbohydrates and sugar in a snack, the more blood sugar-friendly it will be.
What kinds of snacks help keep blood sugar stable?
What snacks have a low glycemic index?
The glycemic index (GI) measures how carbohydrates impact blood sugar.
Carbohydrate-containing foods are rated between 0 and 100 based on how much they increase blood sugar.
Low GI foods include most fruits, non-starchy vegetables, reduced-fat dairy, beans, nuts and seeds.
There are other blood-sugar friendly snacks not included on the GI because they dont contain any carbohydrates.
Remember, the GI only rates foods with carbs.
Examples include canned tuna packed in water, hard-boiled eggs and low-sodium deli turkey.
What are the best bedtime snacks for diabetes?
In some people with diabetes, blood sugar drops at night.
That being said, not everyone with diabetes needs a bedtime snack.
What snacks should you limit if you have diabetes?
She wrote the original version of this article.
