10 Natural Foods to Help Manage Blood Sugar Levels
Natural foods and snacks for diabetics need not be bland or boring. According to the American Diabetes Association, restrictive diets for diabetics are a misconception. Even if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you can continue to follow a healthy, well-balanced diet, making sure you are consuming less salt, sugar, and fats. There are many nutrient-rich recipes that can make diabetics look forward to snacking in between meals.
Ten natural foods that won’t spike blood sugar levels:
- Sweet potato toast
You may not be able to eat refined bread, but you can definitely try making this. All you need are some sweet potato slices. Pop them into the toaster to get crispy toasts that can be garnished with healthy toppings like tahini, almonds, or avocados. - String cheese with crackers
These are made using low-fat string cheese sticks that can be had with whole-wheat crackers for a nutritious snack. You can even add apple slices and baby carrots to this dish. - Almonds and cranberries
This can be a power-packed snack recipe that is both sweet and crunchy at the same time. It is a great blend of nuts and fruits. The almonds will prevent blood sugar from spiking after a meal and will also keep you satisfied for longer hours. However, this snack must be had in moderation as both the ingredients are high in calorie content. - Hummus and veggies
This definitely falls into the list of natural food/snacks for diabetics because hummus is made using chickpeas that is an excellent source of proteins, calories, and fiber. At the same time, you are adding veggies to this snack to get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals. Instead of hummus, you may also use yogurt and fruits. - Ranch radishes
Radishes are highly nutritious, and you can use parsley, dill, garlic powder, and avocado oil for baking these to make a snack dish that is mouthwatering and nutritious. The perfect mix of spices and peppery flavor of radish makes the snack rich and fresh. - Tuna cups
These can be super lean and rich in proteins making this dish a perfect addition to a diabetic’s diet. You may use non-fat Greek yogurt, lemon juice, cucumbers, red onions, Kalamata olives, and garlic salt as a garnish to produce this wholesome and delicious food. - Almond macarons
These may be prepared easily at home using almond flour, healthy sugar substitutes, and egg whites. It is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. All you must do is mix the ingredients and make the dough into small balls. Macarons have to be baked until crispy. - Fermented vegetables
Did you know that fermenting veggies can add more flavor to your meals than salt or sugar? Moreover, fermented veggies are excellent sources of probiotics that help digestion. - Honeydew melon and yogurt sauce
You can choose plain yogurt instead of vanilla yogurt for this to lower the sugar content. All you need to do is slice up the honeydew melon and drizzle this with the yogurt. You may use pistachio nuts as garnish and lime zest for an extra kick. - Turkey veggies snacks
You can put turkey breasts on the skewer to make this sandwich along with cherry tomatoes, low-fat mozzarella cheese, cucumbers, and basil to pack in a lot of flavors. Remember not to use white bread that has refined carbs.