Diabetes: Make Snack Time Healthier for Diabetes

Make Snack Time Healthier

From: 101 Tips Series, American Diabetes Association

Instead of reaching for candy to keep your blood sugar up, plan ahead for a more substantial snack.

Having healthy snacks on hand can save you from hypoglycemia — and from settling for less-than-nutritious foods. The best choices begin at the bottom of the food pyramid and contain 15 grams of carbohydrate per serving. Good options include air-popped popcorn, baked tortilla chips and salsa, graham crackers, pretzels, bagels, and cereal.

Fresh fruits and vegetables also make excellent snacks, and they're portable. To make a snack more substantial, add a source of low-fat protein, such as a glass of low-fat milk. Add reduced-fat peanut butter to a slice of bread or a bagel, low-fat cheese on crackers, or a slice of turkey breast on whole-wheat bread.

Be prepared for anything — always carry a snack with you in case of a delayed meal or unexpected change in your schedule.