When creating a meal plan for someone with diabetes it is essential to include snacks, because they are important in keeping blood sugar consistent throughout the day. Avoiding high and low blood sugar levels are crucial for many diabetic medications to work optimally. Ideally, a meal plan should include at least two to three snacks per day, which also help prevent overeating at mealtime.
Carbohydrates
When planning what snack to eat consider the amount of carbohydrates in each item. Try to keep your portions of carbohydrates between one and two servings, with each serving equivalent to 15 grams of total carbohydrates, as indicated on food nutrition labels.
Protein
It's also important to make sure you are including protein in each snack, as it slows the rate at which your blood sugar rises and falls. It also helps make you feel full longer, so you won't be craving another snack in 30 minutes. Try to eat at least one serving of protein, which is equivalent to 1 ounce of meat or cheese, in each snack. If you are following a food nutrition label, one serving is equivalent to 7 grams of protein.
Delicious Examples
There are several delicious combinations of protein and carbohydrates that will satisfy your hunger as well as control your blood sugar. They include one apple with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter or 1 ounce of cheese, Greek yogurt (which includes both carbohydrates and protein), seven to nine pretzels with 1 ounce of almonds; a half of an English muffin with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, a half of a turkey or grilled cheese sandwich, and trail mix consisting of 1 ounce of nuts and 1/4 cup dried fruit.
Tags: blood sugar, each snack, equivalent grams, food nutrition, meal plan, peanut butter