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Diabetes, prediabetes, and other conditions that have a direct effect on healthy blood sugar levels need to be closely monitored. Such conditions cause a significant lifestyle change, especially when it comes to the diet and food intake of the individuals.
However, blood sugar can cause harm to your body, including weight gain. Rapid weight gain is a symptom that the insulin is working in your body because your body is utilizing sugar, fat, and protein even more. When blood sugar is higher inside your body, your appetite will also increase due to which you might gain weight.
Factors that Influence Blood Sugar Levels
There are also other factors that influence blood sugar levels such as body weight, activity, stress, and genetics but the diet you consume needs to be moderated to ensure your blood sugar levels stay normal.
- Hard-Boiled Eggs
Hard boiled are an excellent all-round snack and especially for diabetic patients. The redeeming quality of boiled eggs is their protein content which is 6 grams per egg. The protein helps to control blood sugar and prevents it from rising too high.
Consuming eggs also makes people feel ‘full’. This is important for Type 2 diabetic patients as the disease poses a risk of becoming overweight and developing heart disease. Feeling ‘full’ prevents unnecessary snacking which prevents weight gain.
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Sliced Apples with Peanut Butter
Apple slices paired with peanut butter result in a snack that is healthy but also tastes amazing. Apples contain several essential nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin C, and potassium. On the other hand, peanut butter has vitamin E, magnesium, and manganese and these are known to keep diabetes and blood sugar under control.
Apples and peanut butter both have high fiber content which also controls blood sugar and prevents it from increasing too much. The polyphenol antioxidants found in apples can protect the pancreatic cells from damage which can cause further damage to the health of a diabetic patient.
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Yogurt with Berries
Yogurt with berries is just as delicious as it is nutritious and healthy. It serves as an excellent snack for diabetic patients as berries contain antioxidants that reduce inflammation in the body, preventing damage to the cells of the pancreas, the organ which releases the hormones that lower blood sugar levels.
Yogurt helps with the metabolization of foods as it contains probiotics that help with digestion, especially foods that contain sugar. Yogurt also has a high protein content which is known to keep blood sugar at a moderate level.
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Veggies and Hummus
Hummus is an excellent spread that is made from chickpeas. The taste and texture of the spread make it an ideal pairing for raw vegetables. Hummus can provide as much as 3 grams of protein per tablespoon which helps to control blood sugar and diabetes.
Vegetables and hummus, both contain fiber, minerals, and a variety of vitamins that are essential for the body. Different vegetables can be eaten with hummus depending on personal preference. Popular choices include broccoli, carrots, and even bell peppers.
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Almonds
Almonds are packed with more than 15 vitamins and minerals with a 1-ounce serving providing 32% of the recommended daily intake for manganese, 19% for magnesium, and 17% for riboflavin. The fiber, protein, and good fats in almonds can help bring blood sugar levels under control.
In addition, almonds can also reduce cholesterol levels which is good for the heart and help with weight management. They are also extremely easy and convenient to carry as a snack.
Being a patient of diabetes does not mean that you must stick to bland, plain food for your entire life. Choosing healthy snacks whole foods that are high in protein, fiber, and good fats can provide some delicious options that you can implement into your daily diet.
It is important to consult a doctor to understand what type of diabetes you suffer from. Reading about foods, diet, and nutrition can help you understand how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels without having to completely rely on bland food.