Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Healthy Snacks For Diabetes Patients

For diabetic patient, each day serve as a combat and struggle to retain/sustain a suitable eating habit. Diabetic patients are often recommended for loosing unwanted weight and maintaining ideal weight. Diabetic nutritional foods consist of mainly low-fat healthy foods. Diabetic patients can avoid the risk of stroke and heart disease by eating healthy and low fat foods. Balanced healthy foods can make diabetic person energetic and more active. Diabetic patients can remain safe from other unwanted symptoms of diabetes by selecting healthy snacks.

Healthy Snacks For Diabetes Patients
Healthy snacks can help diabetic patients to control blood glucose levels and to spread carbohydrates and calories over the course of the day. Eat at least every 4 to 6 hours or fill the gap between meals with a healthy snack to control Blood glucose level. Snacks should be a combination of carbohydrates, protein and fat. Depending on medication and meal plan, it should consist of 100 to 200 calories and 15 to 30 gm of carbohydrates. Here some healthy snacks are given which are approved by diabetes educators and nutritionists.

Healthy Snacks For Diabetes Patients

Veggies and fresh yogurt dip

Raw vegetables highly contain vitamins, enzymes and minerals. The yogurt contains protein which helps to curb hunger pangs and to stabilize blood sugar and it also supply calcium for strong bones.

Ingredients: 1) Fresh veggies such as celery, carrots, or broccoli, 2) Plain nonfat yogurt, 3) Minced fresh dill weed or dried dill weed, 4) Fresh lemon juice, 5) Salt, 6) Ground black pepper.

Cut some fresh veggies into dipping-size pieces to quantify 1/2 cup. (Prepare extra veggies beforehand and keep it in the fridge, in tiny and serving-size storage container for another day) Then stir one 8-ounce pack of plain nonfat yogurt with 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, 2 teaspoons minced fresh dill weed (or 1 teaspoon dried dill weed), 1/8 teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper to prepare simple, healthy dip.

Serving size: 2 tablespoons of dip and 1/2 cup veggies

Nutrition information: Sugars-3.6 g, Dietary Fiber-1.2 g (5 % of Daily Value), Total Carbohydrate-5.5 g (2 %), Calories-31

Homemade popcorn

Popcorn is rich in fiber and it is an all-natural food devoid of artificial flavorings and additives when made from scratch.

Ingredients: 1) Popcorn kernels, 2) Mild-flavored oil like canola

Pour 1 tablespoon of oil into a heavy-bottomed medium-large pot. And spread 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels in a thin layer at the bottom of the pot. Cover up the pot and heat on medium with shaking at every minute to pop all the kernels. Do not cook too long; otherwise popped kernels could be scorched. Use any of the following to sprinkle the popcorn: 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese or 1/4 teaspoon allspice.

Serving size: 1 cup

Nutritional information: Sugars-0.1 g, Dietary Fiber-1.0 g (4 % of Daily Value), Total Carbohydrate-5.8 g (2 %), Calories-40

Black bean salad

Black beans highly contain both protein and fiber which helps to curb hunger pangs and to stabilize blood sugar. Fiber also helps in lowering of cholesterol. Tomatoes and other vegetables add a diversity of important nutrients and fiber.

Ingredients: 1) Lowest-sodium black beans, 2) Fresh tomatoes, 3) Cucumber or celery, 4) Green-bell pepper, 5) Avocado, 6) Fresh lemon juice, 7) Garlic powder, 8) Salt, 9) Ground black pepper.

Wash a 15-ounce can of black beans beneath running water and drain well. Take a medium bowl and mix the beans with 1/2 cup chopped celery or cucumber, 1/2 cup chopped fresh tomatoes, and 1/4 cup peeled/cubed avocado and 1/2 cup chopped green-bell pepper. Stir two teaspoons fresh lemon juice, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (or 1 clove minced fresh garlic) and freshly ground black pepper.

Serving size: 1/2 cup salad

Nutritional information: Sugars-1.3 g, Dietary Fiber-4.0 g (16 % of Daily Value), Total Carbohydrate-10.6 g (4 %), Calories-57

Whole-grain crackers, grapes, and cottage cheese

Nutrient-rich whole grains like whole wheat, cracked wheat, quinoa and rye can lower cholesterol and blood sugar. The cottage cheese also contains protein which helps to curb hunger pangs and to stabilize blood sugar and it even supply calcium for strong bones.

Ingredients: 1) Whole-grain crackers, 2) Nonfat cottage cheese, 3) Grapes.

Buy your beloved whole-grain crackers which contain whole-wheat flour or any other whole grain, such as rye as its first ingredient. On a small plate, arrange 2 crackers, 1/4 cup grapes and 1/4 cup cottage cheese.
Serving size: 2 crackers, 1/4 cup grapes and 1/4 cup cottage cheese

Nutritional information: Sugars-11.9 g, Dietary Fiber-1.5 g (6 % of Daily Value), Total Carbohydrate-21.2 g (7 %), Calories-138

Apples and cheese

As we all know very well, fruit is an essential part of any diet. Fruits contain fibers and other essential nutrients but they are also rich in sugar naturally, so controlled consumption is necessary. If you want to add fruit in your meal plan, then select fruits which are lower in natural sugars such as melon, berries, and apples. Always select smaller whole fruits or slash larger fruits in half.

Ingredients: 1) Apple, 2) Reduced-fat Cheddar cheese.

Cut and core one small apple into four wedges and cut one slice of cheese into four pieces and lay on apple wedges.

Serving size: 1 apple wedge & 1/4 slice cheese

Nutritional information: Sugars-3.8 g, Dietary Fiber-0.8 g (3 % of Daily Value), Total Carbohydrate-5.3 g (2 %), Calories-30

List of other healthy snacks for diabetes patients:
  • Broccoli with melted cheese
  • Tomato and mozzarella salad
  • Fresh strawberries or blueberries with low-fat plain yogurt
  • Salad with free veggies and low-carb dressing
  • Veggies with hummus
  • Cucumbers with olive-oil and rice vinegar
  • Carrot sticks
  • Peanut butter
  • Beef jerky
  • Radishes with tzatziki
  • Green beans cooked and cooled with lemon juice
  • Celery with peanut butter
  • Nuts
  • Snap peas with Caesar dressing
  • String cheese
  • Sauteed Spinach
  • Pepperoni and cheese
  • Hard boiled eggs
  • Rotisserie chicken
  • Pickles
  • Deli meat

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