Discover the treats you can eat while keeping your sugars balanced in summer! Summer’s around the corner, and for diabetics, that means additional ...
The Best Summer Snacks for Diabetics
Jolie Wiener
Discover the treats you can eat while keeping your sugars balanced in summer! Summer’s around the corner, and for diabetics, that means additional health risks due to the warm weather, an abundance of sweet treats on offer, and increased physical activity outdoors. To avoid dehydration, which can lead to higher levels of sugar in the blood, and to avoid feeling left out when everyone else is indulging in the latest summer bite, we’ve put together a list of sweet, yet diabetic-friendly refreshments that will help keep you hydrated and happy. A truly crave-worthy menu that won’t tip your sugar balance. Want to learn more about energy-boosting diabetic-friendly snacks? Read this blog post.
The top 6 summer snacks for diabetics
Watermelon
As implied by the first half of its name, watermelon is full of water. Sweet, refreshing and hydrating, this seasonal summer fruit has a moderate glycemic index rating of 72 and is packed with nutrients, such as vitamins C and A, antioxidants and potassium. They need no dressing and can easily be sliced or diced to fit your favorite snack box or plate.
Vegetable skewers
It is recommended that you consume 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. For diabetics, it is important that you choose non-starchy vegetables when possible. In summer especially, those bursting with water and containing an exciting “crunch” are ideal. As such, building vegetable skewers with cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers and squash is a great idea. These vegetables are cool, low in carbohydrates, rich in nutrients and fun to skewer and eat. Oh, and they burst with flavor.
Ants on a log
Another refreshing, non-starchy vegetable that makes for a great, low-calorie and low-carb snack is celery. Pair it with protein-rich (low-sugar) peanut butter and a couple of sugar-free raisins to create “ants on a log,” an aged snack that diabetics of all ages will love to nibble on. Ants on a log are easy to prepare and pack up for a day outside, and contain great amounts of water and fiber to help keep you hydrated and your blood glucose levels balanced, all day long.
Infused water
As mentioned above, the summer heat can lead to dehydration, which is especially dangerous for people with diabetes. As such, it’s a great idea to carry a bottle of water with you wherever you go - and adding some mint, basil or other leafy green to your beverage will infuse it with flavor and increase its nutrient count exponentially. The darker the green, the more packed with nutrients your infused water will be.
Apple and cheese
While fruits have natural sugars, they can be calculated into your daily carb allotment. Some, like apples, even contain water, while offering a crisp bite and a sweet treat. Pairing apple slices with low-fat cheese will help balance your sugar intake, increase your protein count and provide you with a filling and satisfying summer snack.
Popcorn
Got the munchies? Popcorn is the snack food that will leave you feeling like you’ve eaten a junky treat, without the added sugar and fat that comes with chips, pretzels and the like. Air pop your corn at home to keep this snack as healthy as can be. Eating healthy does NOT have to be boring. With food that nourishes your body, you will feel good, feel energized, and keep your summer body in check! Always make sure that you have snacks for type 2 diabetics on hand so you do not feel lost when others are snacking around you! Do you have any diabetic-friendly summer snacks worth sharing? Let us know! You can never have too many snacks!
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