You may not be able to stomach the thought of consuming anything sweet or oily, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a snack without ruining your diet. If you have diabetes and need to maintain your blood sugar levels, then snacking between meals is an essential part of your daily routine. Keeping your blood sugar under control is essential for preventing long-term complications of diabetes such as nerve damage, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, there are a variety of healthy snacks that you can include in your diet without compromising on taste or nutritional value. But what should you look for when choosing a healthy snack? Read on to find out!
What is a good meal replacement for diabetics?
The first thing to consider when choosing a healthy snack is what you’re replacing. When you’re on a meal replacement diet, you’re not replacing the calories you’re burning with exercise. Instead, you’re eating high-protein foods to replenish your energy stored between meals. While a low-carb diet may help you lose weight, it’s not a sustainable, long-term strategy for controlling blood sugar. For this reason, it’s best to choose a snack that is similar in taste and texture to the real thing. Ideally, it should also have the same number of calories and macronutrients. There are two main types of meal replacements. First, there are weight loss meal replacement shakes available. They contain ingredients such as whey protein and almond milk, which provide a protein/calorie boost. The other type of meal replacement is a food replacement bar. They look, smell, and taste like the real thing and are easier to take on-the-go.
Evaluate your food options before choosing
Before you start picking out healthy meal replacements, make sure you’ve done a little research. You don’t want to pick a diet that will frustrate you. First, you’ll need to figure out what you can and can’t eat on your meal replacement diet. A good place to start is by reading up on the foods you can and can’t eat on a diabetic diet. This will help you find out which options are off-limits and which ones you can safely consume. Next, look into the ingredients of the meal replacements you’ve narrowed your search down to. Make sure they’re free of refined sugar, preservatives, and artificial flavors. Also, consider how they taste and how easy they are to consume in liquid or solid form.
Keep an eye out for good fats and protein
If you’re looking for a best meal replacement for diabetics, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for good fats and protein. Fats help your body absorb essential vitamins and minerals, while protein helps your body stay energized and helps you feel fuller longer. Good fats in particular are essential for your health. They help to regulate your blood sugar levels and maintain your mood, which can be particularly helpful if you’re feeling stressed or anxious. Good fats also improve your digestion and help your body absorb essential nutrients. They include monounsaturated fats such as olive oil, omega-3 fats such as salmon and walnuts, and omega-6 fats such as sunflower oil.
For extra protein, look for food substitutes
If you’re on a meal replacement diet and are looking for extra protein, consider finding food substitutes that provide it. This is particularly useful if you’re on a low-carb diet. Food substitutes are a great way to get enough protein on a vegetarian or vegan diet, too. If you’re on a low-carb diet, consider tofu, lentils, chickpeas, almonds, or hemp seed.
Conclusion
When you’re on a diet designed to keep your blood sugar under control, you need to find healthy snacks that don’t taste good or have an oily texture. Luckily, there are plenty of healthy options available. Remember to keep an eye out for good fats and protein when you’re searching for a meal replacement, and be sure to pick one that is free of refined sugar and preservatives.