Diabetic-Friendly Late Night Snacks
Managing dietary habits is important to keep blood sugar levels in check and prevent frequent fluctuations, especially for people with diabetes. Apart from exercise and medication, one needs a healthy diet rich in essential nutrients, proteins, and fiber. Also, small portions of snacks that are low in calories, carbohydrates, and fats help achieve better control over diabetes, but late-night hunger pangs are especially problematic for diabetics. So, here are some ideas for safe snacks for diabetics if they are craving something sweet or salty late at night:
- Raw or dry-roasted nuts
Nuts are healthy, tasty, and perfect to curb sudden hunger pangs at night. Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, and cashews are some of the safest and healthiest options for a diabetic. While nuts are high in calories, eating a handful is fine. - Dry-roasted or raw seeds
If you do not like nuts or are allergic to them, you can opt for pumpkin or sunflower seeds instead. These seeds, when consumed dry-roasted or raw, do not contain any added oils or sugars and are safe late snacks for diabetics. - Sliced apples with peanut butter
Apples, when paired with peanut butter, make one of the healthiest and safest late snacks for diabetics. This fruit contains vitamins B and C, potassium, and fiber, while peanut butter is packed with vitamin E, magnesium, and manganese. All of these help manage diabetes and also guard the pancreatic cells against damage. - Whole-grain crackers with cheese
Whole-grain crackers with cheese slices are also safe late snacks for diabetics. These crackers are rich in fiber, while cheese contains fat, and this combination helps prevent sudden spikes in blood glucose levels and is quite filling. - Popcorn
If you like popcorn, you can also opt for this whole-grain snack as it is one of the best and safest late snacks for diabetics. It is low in calories and helps keep body weight in check. However, instead of prepackaged popcorn that contains a lot of salt, trans fats, and preservatives, make air-popped corn at home. - Chia seed pudding
If you are trying to decide on a safe late snack for diabetics, chia seed pudding is a simple and healthy option. All you need to do is soak chia seeds in milk until you get a pudding-like consistency. Chia seeds are rich in nutrients, fiber, omega fatty acids, and proteins that can help keep blood glucose levels in check. The seeds also alleviate triglyceride levels in the blood and support heart health. - Homemade protein bars
Protein bars are nutritious and tasty snacks for diabetics, but it is better to make them at home instead of opting for store-bought ones. You can make them with healthy ingredients like whey protein, oat flour, honey, and peanut butter.
Some other healthy late snack options for diabetics are baby carrots, a hard-boiled egg, salad greens, plain yogurt, or sugar-free popsicles. Diabetics should always choose high-protein and low-fat snacks and avoid processed carbohydrates to manage the condition.