Snacks play a very important role in the daily life of a person with diabetes, particularly those with type 1 diabetes and insulin-requiring type 2 diabetes. These individuals may need between-meal and bedtime snacks to keep their blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible and to help prevent low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Check with your registered dietitian or diabetes educator to see how snacks fit in with your insulin doses.
The following snacks supply 12–15 grams of carbohydrates or 1 carbohydrate (1 bread/starch) exchange.
Fruits
One small apple
½ cup (C) unsweetened applesauce
Four medium fresh apricots
1 C cubed cantaloupe
12 cherries
One half grapefruit
One medium peach
One small pear
¾ C fresh pineapple
Two small plums
Seven dried apricots
One small banana
¾ C blueberries
17 small grapes
1 C cubed honeydew melon
One kiwi
One small nectarine
One small orange
1 C raspberries
1¼ C whole strawberries
1¼ C cubed watermelon
Dessert snacks
2 small sandwich cookies with cream filling.
Five vanilla wafers
½ C ice cream
3 pieces hard candy
Three gingersnaps
⅓ C sugar-free frozen yogurt
½ C sugar-free pudding
Three small sugar-free cookies
2-inch square unfrosted cake
8 animal crackers
Other snacks
Three graham crackers (2½″ square)
One half low-fat granola bar
Three peanut-butter sandwich crackers
¾ ounce pretzels
Two rice cakes (4″ diameter)
3 C low-fat popcorn
Six almonds
15 fat-free potato or tortilla chips
6oz plain or lite yogurt (including Greek)
Five slices melba toast
Six saltine crackers
1 cup milk
Six cashews
10 peanuts
¼ cup granola
Put this into practice for you:
What 2 snacks will you be sure to keep on hand if you need a snack?
What 2 snacks will you be sure to keep on hand if you need a snack?
References:
"Carbohydrate Choice Lists." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 Mar. 2019, https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/eat-well/diabetes-and-carbs/carbohydrate-choice-lists.html
© inHealth Medical Services, Inc. 2020