Diabetic snack ideas will include snacks which have a low carbohydrate level. The carbohydrate levels in foods have a direct impact on blood glucose levels. Type 1 diabetics, in particular, must balance the amount of carbohydrates they consume with the insulin that is injected. There is no standard for this exchange, and therefore the levels of carbohydrates you should consume at each snack should be discussed with your physician or dietician before you begin searching for diabetic snack ideas.
According to the Australian Diabetes Council, the following diabetic snack ideas contain 6 grams or less of carbohydrates:
- ¾ cup diced watermelon
- 1 cup of air popped popcorn
- 1 cup carrot sticks
- 11/2 cup of diced watermelon
- Celery sticks
- 1 small mandarin
TuDiabetes.org also provides some diabetic snack ideas. Although the carbohydrate count of these foods was not provided, rest assured that each snack contains only low amounts of carbohydrate. They include:
- Peanut butter
- Cheddar cheese
- String cheese
- Cottage cheese
- Broccoli with melted cheese
- Salad with free veggies and low-carb dressing
- Tomato and mozzarella salad
- Celerry with peanut butter
- Fresh berries with low-fat plain yogurt
- Snap peas with Caesar dressing
- Nuts
- Pickles
- Deli meat
- Pepperoni and cheese
- Beef jerky
- Hard boiled eggs
Recipes & Diabetic Snack Ideas
Chili Con Queso Dip
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup chunky salsa
- ¼ cup chopped green chilies (drained)
- 4 oz reduced-fat cheese, cut in 1 inch cubes
- 1 16 oz can, fat-free, low sodium refried beans
Instructions
Combine all of the ingredients in a microwave dish and cook on high for approximately 2 minutes. Stir the mixture. Continue to cook and stir every 2 minutes until the cheese is melted and the dip is as warm as desired. When finished, serve the dip with fat-free or reduced fat tortilla chips.
Bananas on a Stick
Ingredients
- 3 medium bananas
- ½ cup Grape Nuts cereal
- 4 oz. fat-free vanilla yogurt
Instructions
After peeling the bananas, cut them in half crosswise. Insert a wooden stick into the cut end of each banana half. Next, use a small spatula and spread yogurt onto the sides of the each banana half, taking each and rolling it in the grape nuts afterward. Line a baking sheet with waxed-paper and freeze for approximately an hour, or until firm. When thoroughly frozen, wrap each in plastic wrap or store in a sealed plastic bag.
Diabetic Breakfast Pizza
Ingredients
- ½ English muffin
- 1 small peach, peeled and sliced
- 2 tbsp. reduced-fat cream cheese
- 1 tsp. reduced-fat sour cream
- ½ tsp. light brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon to taste
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F and then use a small bowl to combine the cream cheese and sour cream. Spread this over the English muffin half. Arrange the peach slices on top, sprinkle with the brown sugar and the cinnamon, and bake for 5 minutes, or until the cheese browns around the edges.