Snacking is an important part of any meal plan. Snacking gives you another opportunity to meet your nutrient needs and helps to control hunger to prevent overeating. People with diabetes can include snacks in their meal plan, but they need to carefully choose snacks to prevent eating too many carbohydrates because of its effect on blood sugar. Talk to your doctor or dietitian about how to incorporate snacks into your diet.
Less than 5 g of Carbs
Snacks with less than 5 g of carbohydrate do not have to count toward your total carbohydrate intake as long as you do not eat more than the recommended serving. You can eat these low-carb snacks at any time to help curb your appetite. Snacks with less than 5 g of carbohydrates include 1/2 cup of sugar-free gelatin, 3 celery sticks with 1 tsp. of peanut butter, 1 cup of mixed greens with 1 tsp. of vinegar and oil, 1 cup of air-popped popcorn, 5 carrot sticks with 1 tbsp. of ranch dressing, a boiled egg, 1 oz. of low-fat cheese, 6 almonds, 1 cup of broth, 2 saltine crackers and a sugar-free Popsicle.
15 g of Carbs
Snacks with 15 g of carbohydrates need to be counted toward your total carbohydrate intake for the day. For consistent blood sugars, eat your higher-carb snacks at the same time each day. Routine with meals and snacks helps to keep your blood sugars even, according to the American Diabetes Association. As with the low-carb snack foods, it is important to pay attention to portion size to prevent you from eating too many carbohydrates. Snacks with 15 g of carbohydrates include 1 slice of whole wheat toast with 1 slice of low-fat cheese, 1/2 cup of unsweetened ready-to-eat cereal with 1/2 cup of nonfat milk, 3 cups of air-popped popcorn, 6 wheat crackers, a small apple or orange, a 6 oz. container of nonfat sugar-free yogurt and 2 rice cakes with 1 tsp. of peanut butter.
30 g of Carbs
Snacks with 30 g of carbohydrate make a good snack choice before you exercise. These higher-carb snacks are also recommended as a bedtime snack for those of you taking insulin who have low blood sugars during the night. Snacks with 30 g of carbohydrates include 1 cup of nonfat milk with 3 graham cracker squares, a cheese sandwich with 2 slices of whole wheat bread and 1 slice of low-fat cheese, a large pear with 1 oz. of low-fat cheese, 1/4 cup of raisins with 1/4 cup of peanuts, 1 cup of nonfat milk with 3/4 cup of unsweetened ready-to-eat cereal and a 6 oz. container of nonfat sugar-free yogurt with a small apple.
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