Getting diagnosed with diabetes is tough. You have to make a lot of changes to your routine and overall lifestyle. Your relationship with food undergoes the most dramatic change, but there’s a silver lining. You can still enjoy delicious treats—just not the kind you’re used to. Read on to learn about the best snacks for diabetics.
If you’re feeling hungry between meals, hard-boiled eggs are ideal. They contain no carbs—just protein and healthy fat—and will fill you up without negatively affecting your blood sugar. They’re delicious with a dash of salt and pepper, or you can add paprika or garlic powder to amp up the flavor.
This traditional Middle Eastern dip ranks high on our list of snacks for diabetics—and for good reason. Paired with low-carb fresh veggies like zucchini, cucumber, and bell peppers, it’s a satisfying and flavorful meal. You can swap out hummus for fresh guacamole to mix things up.
Cottage cheese is a low-carb treat that’s a blank canvas for flavor combinations. Pair it with fresh fruit if you’re craving something sweet (but watch your overall carb intake and blood sugar.) You could also go savory with diced tomatoes, fresh parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Plain Greek yogurt is a much better choice than pre-sweetened yogurts, even if you aren’t diabetic. Add a handful of fresh berries to a half-cup of yogurt for a surprisingly filling treat. The balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates is just about perfect and will keep you feeing sated for a long time.
If you’re more than a little snacky, try this simple-yet-filling snack. Take some pre-cooked shredded chicken, add fresh salsa and a slice or two of avocado, and wrap it up in lettuce. You’ll get the flavor of a taco without the greasy, carb-loaded chips or heavy cheese sauces.
You can adapt this concept to make pretty much any sandwich—BLT, club, and so on.
Warning: these things are addictive. Roasted pumpkin seeds can take on pretty much any flavor you like. They’re packed with healthy fat, fiber, and protein, along with vitamin E. You can buy them pre-cooked and seasoned, or you can try roasting your own this autumn. If you buy pre-packaged seeds, make sure they’re not loaded down with canola oil.
Sometimes the old-fashioned treats are the best. Look for small apples—about the size of your fist—and choose a tart, crisp variety such as Granny Smith or Gala. Slice the apple and grab a tablespoon of nut butter. Conventional peanut butter tends to be high in sugar, so go for a natural almond butter or “sun” butter made from sunflower seeds instead.
