Diabetes is a disease resulting from the body's inability to make or properly use insulin. Without insulin, sugar in the blood is unable to get into the cell, resulting in high blood sugar. The sugar in the blood comes from food. Congestive heart failure is a condition in which the body cannot pump enough blood to the body's organs. Congestive heart failure often leads to edema. Diet plays a role in the treatment of both diabetes and congestive heart failure. Making healthy snack choices can help control blood sugar and prevent fluid retention.
Fruits
Carbohydrates in foods cause blood sugars to elevate and people with diabetes need to control the amount consumed. Fruits are a source of carbohydrates in the diet, but they also contain fiber, potassium and vitamin C and are naturally low in sodium, making them a healthy snack for a person with diabetes and congestive heart failure. Each serving of fruit contains about 15g of fiber and negligible amounts of sodium. Fruit snack choices include a small apple or orange, 1/2 of a banana, 1 1/4 cup of fresh strawberries, 1 cup of watermelon or cantaloupe, two small plums, 12 cherries, 17 grapes, 1/2 of a grapefruit, 4 oz. pear, 1/2 cup of unsweetened canned fruit and 2 tbsp. of raisins.
Starches
Starches are also a source of carbohydrate and many starch options are low in sodium and make a good snack for the person with diabetes and congestive heart failure. Too much sodium in the diet increase fluid retention and edema exacerbating symptoms of congestive heart failure. People with congestive heart failure need to limit their total sodium intake to 2,000 to 3,000mg a day, according to the Southern New Hampshire Medical Center. Snack choices include one slice of bread, five whole-grain low-sodium crackers, 3 cups of unsalted air-popped popcorn, a small whole-wheat roll, 3/4 cup serving of dry unsweetened cereal, two unsalted rice cakes, eight animal crackers and three graham cracker squares.
Milk and Yogurt
Milk and yogurt can also make a good snack for the person with diabetes and congestive heart failure. Milk and yogurt also contain carbohydrate, and the amount consumed needs to be controlled. Non-fat sugar free fruit yogurt can be eaten as a snack. A cup of skim milk can be consume by itself or enjoyed with animal or graham crackers or unsweetened cereal.
Vegetables
Vegetables are naturally low in sodium and carbohydrates and can be enjoyed at anytime by people with diabetes and congestive heart failure. Good vegetable snacks include baby carrots, bite size pieces off broccoli and cauliflower, slices of cucumber, grape tomatoes or a small salad with balsamic vinegar and oil.
