This List of Healthy Snacks Will Fill, Not Fatten You
Someone asked whether I kept a list of healthy snacks that are non-fattening? They must have been sorry that I am missing out on all the "goodies."
Oh my, they still don't get it. Just after I said there is no such thing as healthy snack foods, I have been asked this question.
Why is there not such a thing as a healthy snack food? Because if you eat between meals that is (in itself) unhealthy. But for those who must, here we go.
Check out these topics on Healthy Recipes:
My special short list of healthy snacks
-- Fruits - orange, grapefruit,
(not fruit juice) if you are diabetic. In any event, you want to eat as
much of the roughage as possible since this tends to prevent a spike in blood glucose level.
-- Celery sticks - they are crunchy, munchy, and won't steal your appetite before your next meal.
-- Carrot sticks or even a small carrot can really dull the sting of hunger.
-- A serving of vegetable salad.
-- Pure water is on my list of healthy snacks, even though it does not add to your calorie intake.
A glass of water can be filling and it liquidates your thirst at the same time.
Try water next time, especially if you are less than an hour away from regular mealtime.
As you notice, this list of healthy snacks is meant to be just that - healthy. It does not include any refined or processed foods, condiments or sweets, or high calorie foods.
There is no need for a healthy snack recipe. Just grab a carrot, an apple, an orange or other and natural unprocessed food.
Need health snacks?
-- Try a few
fun snacks for kids with diabetes.
-- See our Healthy Recipes page for... just that - healthy recipes!
Free Revival Soy Variety Kit with your first purchase of 30 Revival Soy bars or shakes.
Do diabetics need a list of healthy snacks on their meal plans?
In my blog I stated a number of reasons why we don't really need a list of healthy snacks, because the act of snacking is unhealthy. It does not give our stomachs enough time to rest, it prolongs or stalls digestion, and can cause indigestion. Hasn't this ever happened to you?
A Note to Diabetics
Until you gain the right level of control without drugs and injections you will need a list of healthy snacks from your dietician. Execise can throw you in a hypoglycemic state. The American Diabetes Association suggests that, "depending on how hard and long you exercise, you may need to eat extra snacks."
- Diabetes A to Z, (2000) Fourth Edition, p.55
The key is to monitor your blood sugar level, and work towards recovery. Simply aiming for control is not good enough.
I am sure type 2 diabetics can relate to this. The fluctuation of blood glucose levels is terrible, and when you have a low you just have to go get something to eat. But here is the clicker...
What if your body can "remember" how to control your blood sugar level? What if the pancreas and liver could properly regulate glucose levels in the blood again - without the help of drugs, injections, and several snacks and munches per day?
Do I need a list of healthy snacks? Suppose I tell you that I (a type 2 diabetic) have regained my natural control of blood sugar level. As I am writing this now, I have had my last meal 5½ hours ago, and I have only had water since then.
Previously, I would have had at least one snack since my last meal. No more. And I have no ill feelings. (I have none for my doctor either, who told me I'd be on medication for the rest of my life!)
Friend, if you think or feel you must have a snack, then you may need to change your diet. When you find the right diet, your sack will carry no snack. You'll be free!