New Africa/Shutterstock | Diabetic patients should be careful with their diet
One of the trickiest habits to manage with diabetes is snacking. If you eat too much, you risk shooting your sugar levels beyond the recommended levels which can potentially lead to seizures.
On a more dangerous flip side, letting your sugar level drop too low can cause loss of consciousness and even death. But these are extreme scenarios that won't happen to someone who knows what snacks they should have and which ones should be avoided to manage their diabetes.
High-Protein Snacks
Just like carbs, protein also spikes your blood sugar levels, but the increase is relatively gradual since proteins take longer to digest. Moreover, our body doesn't use all the protein we consume for energy; some of it is is used for muscle recovery and growth.
A study has even shown that eating a high-protein snack between meals doesn't spike blood sugar levels in diabetics who are on intensive insulin therapy, given that the food contains a sufficient amount of protein (between 15-50 grams) and no carbs or fats.
Eight Photo/Shutterstock | Eating the right type of protein won't spike your blood sugar
Good sources of protein include steaks, meats, eggs, and fish. However, avoid eating protein bars as a snack since they're usually high in fats and sugars which can shoot your blood sugar level instantly.
High-Fiber Snacks
Just like protein, foods high in fiber also digest slowly, releasing only small amounts of glucose into your bloodstream at a time, which prevents a sharp increase in blood sugar levels.
A study has even found that a high-fiber diet can improve insulin resistance in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes and also keep them fuller for longer, therefore curbing their snacking habit and allowing them to effectively manage their weight.
Healthy Fats
Syda Productions/Shutterstock | Healthy fats are actually good for you when consumed in moderation
Just like fiber and protein, healthy unsaturated fats, found in nuts, seeds, fish, and avocado, are beneficial for people with diabetes. Fats are very slow to digest, therefore delaying the glucose release into the bloodstream by at least 2 to 3 hours. Healthy fats are also great for regulating body weight since they keep you feeling full for longer.
