Over 23.6 million Americans have diabetes and 57 million others have prediabetes. Both of these conditions are characterized by a carbohydrate intolerance, or the inability of the body to keep blood sugar levels within normal range, whether it is due to a insulin deficiency or systemic insulin resistance. Regular meal times with the appropriate amount of carbohydrates is encouraged to control diabetes. Snacks are not always necessary, but there are some healthy options if you need to curb a craving between two meals.
Almonds
Choose natural nuts or dry-roasted nuts. Stay away from those with a sugar coating or those containing added oil and salt. All nuts can make a healthy snack and they are convenient and easy to carry with you. A 1 oz. serving of almonds provides 163 calories, 14.0 g fat, 6.0 g protein, 6.1 g carbohydrates and 3.5 g fiber.
Cheese
Cheese delivers protein and calcium that can help you keep hunger away between meals. Moreover, because it doesn't have carbohydrates, cheese won't interfere with your blood sugar control. One to 2 oz. of cheese contains between 72 and 144 calories, 4.5 and 9.0 g fat, 6.9 and 13.8 g protein and only 0.8 to 1.6 g carbohydrates.
Veggies and Hummus
A few of your favorite raw vegetables dipped in hummus make a tasty low-carb snack that can help you better manage your weight and diabetes. You can have a few celery sticks, baby carrots and strips of red bell pepper dipped in a 2 tbsp. of hummus at 72 calories, 2.9 g fat, 3.0 g protein, 9.9 g carbohydrate and 3.8 g fiber.
Cottage Cheese and Berries
Any type of fruit can be mixed with cottage cheese to prepare a satisfying high-protein snack. Berries tend to have a low carbohydrate and sugar content. Five sliced strawberries mixed with 1/2 cup of cottage cheese provides 101 calories, 1.4 g fat, 14.4 g protein, 7.7 g carbohydrates and 1.2 g fiber.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Eggs are very nutritious and can help you curb your cravings. Many diabetics avoid eggs because they fear their high cholesterol content, but studies now show that eggs can be eaten without any problems within the context of a healthy diet, as suggested in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition." One to two hard-boiled eggs gives you 78 calories, 5.3 and 10.6 g fat, 6.3 and 12.6 g protein, 0.6 and 1.2 g carbohydrate and no fiber.
