https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-snacks-for-diabetes#section17
Hard-boiled eggs are a super healthy snack for people with diabetes.
Their protein content really makes them shine. One large hard-boiled egg provides 6 grams of protein, which is helpful for diabetes because it keeps your blood sugar from rising too high after you eat (1, 2Trusted Source).
In one study, 65 people with type 2 diabetes ate two eggs daily for 12 weeks.
By the end of the study, they experienced significant reductions in their fasting blood sugar levels. They also had lower hemoglobin A1c, which is a measure of long-term blood sugar control (3Trusted Source).
Eggs are known to promote fullness, an important aspect of managing type 2 diabetes. This disease is associated with a greater likelihood of becoming overweight and developing heart disease (4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source).
You can enjoy a hard-boiled egg or two for a snack on their own, or garnish them with a healthy topping like guacamole.
Yogurt with berries is an excellent diabetes-friendly snack for a variety of reasons.
First, the antioxidants in berries may reduce inflammation and prevent damage to cells of the pancreas, the organ responsible for releasing hormones that lower blood sugar levels (8Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source).
Additionally, berries are a great source of fiber. For example, a 1-cup (148-gram) serving of blueberries provides 4 grams of fiber, which helps slow digestion and stabilize blood sugar levels after eating (10Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source).
Yogurt is also known for its ability to lower blood sugar levels. This is partly due to the probiotics it contains, which may improve your body’s ability to metabolize foods that contain sugar (12Trusted Source).
Furthermore, yogurt is rich in protein, which is well-known for helping keep blood sugar levels under control. Greek yogurt is especially high in protein (13Trusted Source).
Yogurt and berries taste great together as a snack, as the sweetness of the berries helps balance out the tartness of the yogurt. You can simply mix them together, or layer them on top of each other to make a parfait.
Almonds are very nutritious and convenient to snack on.
A 1-ounce (28-gram) serving of almonds provides more than 15 vitamins and minerals, including 32% of the recommended daily intake for manganese, 19% for magnesium and 17% for riboflavin (14).
Research has shown almonds may help control blood sugar in people with diabetes. In one study, 58 people who included almonds in their diets every day for 24 weeks experienced a 3% decrease in their long-term blood sugar levels (15Trusted Source).
In another study, 20 adults with diabetes who consumed 60 grams of almonds daily for four weeks experienced a 9% reduction in their blood sugar levels.
They also had decreased levels of insulin, a hormone that may worsen diabetes if levels are consistently high (16Trusted Source).
The ability of almonds to help stabilize blood sugar is likely due to the combination of fiber, protein and healthy fats they contain, all of which are known to have an important role in diabetes management (14).
What’s more, almonds have been shown to benefit heart health by reducing cholesterol levels and may also promote weight management, both of which are major factors in preventing and treating type 2 diabetes (16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source).
Since almonds are quite high in calories, it is best to limit your portion size to about a handful when eating them as a snack.
Hummus is a creamy spread made from chickpeas. It tastes great when paired with raw veggies.
Both vegetables and hummus are good sources of fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Additionally, hummus provides lots of protein, with 3 grams per tablespoon (15 grams). All of these properties may benefit blood sugar control in people with diabetes (20, 21).
One study found that individuals who consumed at least 1 ounce of hummus at a meal had blood sugar and insulin levels that were four times lower than a group that consumed white bread at a meal (22Trusted Source).
You can experiment with dipping several types of vegetables in hummus, such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and bell peppers.
If you have diabetes, snacking on avocado may help manage your blood sugar levels.
The high fiber content and monounsaturated fatty acids in avocados make them a diabetes-friendly food. These factors may prevent your blood sugar from spiking after a meal (23Trusted Source, 24).
One study found that individuals with type 2 diabetes who included sources of monounsaturated fatty acids in their diets on a regular basis experienced significant improvements in their blood sugar levels (25Trusted Source).
You can eat avocado on its own, or make it into a dip such as guacamole. Since avocados are quite high in calories, it is best to stick with a serving size of one-fourth to one-half an avocado.
Sliced apples paired with nut butter make for a delicious and healthy snack that’s great for people with diabetes.
Apples are rich in several nutrients, including B vitamins, vitamin C and potassium, while peanut butter provides significant amounts of vitamin E, magnesium and manganese, all of which are known to help manage diabetes (26, 27, 28Trusted Source, 29Trusted Source).
Both apples and peanut butter are also very high in fiber. One medium apple combined with 1 ounce (28 grams) of peanut butter provides almost 7 grams of fiber, which is helpful for keeping your blood sugar under control (11Trusted Source, 27, 30Trusted Source).
Apples have been studied specifically for their potential role in diabetes management. The polyphenol antioxidants they contain are thought to protect pancreatic cells from damage that often worsens diabetes (30Trusted Source, 31Trusted Source).
You can also try pairing other types of fruit with peanut butter, such as bananas or pears, for similar health benefits.
Beef sticks are convenient, portable and diabetes-friendly.
What makes beef sticks an excellent snack for people with diabetes are their high protein and low carb contents.
Most beef sticks provide around 6 grams of protein per ounce (28 grams), which may help keep your blood sugar under control (32).
If possible, you should choose beef sticks that are made with grass-fed beef. Compared to grain-fed beef, grass-fed beef is higher in omega-3 fatty acids, which are known for their potential role in keeping blood sugar levels stable (33Trusted Source, 34Trusted Source).
It is important to note that beef sticks can be high in sodium, which can lead to high blood pressure in some people if consumed in excess. Thus, if you eat beef sticks, make sure to consume them in moderation.
Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are an incredibly healthy legume.
There are close to 15 grams of protein and 13 grams of fiber in a 1-cup (164-gram) serving of chickpeas, making them an excellent snack for people with diabetes (35).
Research has shown that consuming chickpeas on a regular basis may play a role in preventing the progression of diabetes, thanks to their potential to help manage blood sugar levels (36Trusted Source).
In one study, 19 adults who consumed a chickpea-based meal daily for six weeks had significantly lower blood sugar and insulin levels after eating, compared to individuals who ate a wheat-based meal (37Trusted Source).
One way to make chickpeas easy to snack on is by roasting them, which makes them crunchy and convenient. They taste great when roasted with olive oil and seasonings of your choice.
Turkey roll-ups are an easy snack to make.
They are essentially a breadless sandwich wrap consisting of turkey breast slices wrapped around low-carb contents of your choice, such as cheese and veggies.
Turkey roll-ups are a great snack option for people with diabetes due to their low carb and high protein contents. One wrap provides about 5 grams of protein, which will help prevent your blood sugar levels from rising too high (2Trusted Source).
In addition, the protein in turkey roll-ups may help lower your appetite, which is beneficial for preventing overeating and promoting weight management. Both of these are key factors in controlling type 2 diabetes (2Trusted Source, 38Trusted Source).
To make a turkey roll-up, simply spread a tablespoon (about 10 grams) of cream cheese onto a slice of turkey and wrap it around sliced veggies, such as cucumbers or bell peppers.
Cottage cheese is a great snack for people with diabetes.
A half-cup (about 112-gram) serving of small-curd cottage cheese provides several vitamins and minerals, in addition to almost 13 grams of protein and only 4 grams of carbs (39).
Interestingly, eating cottage cheese may help manage your blood sugar.
In one study, men who ate 25 grams of cottage cheese with 50 grams of sugar had 38% lower blood sugar afterward, compared to those who consumed sugar alone (40Trusted Source).
The blood sugar-lowering effects of cottage cheese are often attributed to its high protein content (41Trusted Source, 42Trusted Source, 43Trusted Source).
If you choose regular cottage cheese rather than reduced-fat varieties, you’ll also take advantage of the blood-sugar-lowering properties of fat (41Trusted Source, 42Trusted Source, 43Trusted Source).
Cottage cheese tastes great plain, but you can also combine it with fruit for extra nutrients and fiber.
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“Cracker sandwiches” are a popular snack, and you can make them on your own by topping a few whole-grain crackers with cheese slices.
They are a good snack choice if you have diabetes. While crackers can be high in carbs, the fat in the cheese and fiber in the crackers may prevent them from spiking your blood sugar (10Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source, 44Trusted Source, 45Trusted Source).
Fat intake from dairy products such as cheese may slow the digestion of carbs, reduce insulin levels and promote the release of hormones that lower blood sugar, such as GLP-1 (44Trusted Source, 45Trusted Source, 46Trusted Source).
Make sure you choose your crackers carefully, as many brands are high in refined flour and added sugar, which may negatively affect blood sugar levels. To avoid these ingredients, always choose crackers made with 100% whole grains.
Tuna salad is made by combining tuna with mayonnaise and other ingredients, such as celery and onions.
A 3-ounce (84-gram) serving of tuna provides 22 grams of protein and no carbs, which makes it a great snack option if you have diabetes (47).
Additionally, tuna is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help manage diabetes due to their potential to lower inflammation and improve blood sugar control (48Trusted Source).
You can make tuna salad even healthier and higher in protein by mixing it with cottage cheese or yogurt, rather than mayonnaise.
Popcorn is a very popular and healthy whole-grain snack food.
It has been deemed one of the best snack foods for people with diabetes, partly because of its low calorie density. One cup (8 grams) of air-popped popcorn contains just 31 calories (48Trusted Source, 49).
Snacking on low-calorie foods may aid weight control, which is known to promote decreased blood sugar levels and better overall management of type 2 diabetes (50Trusted Source, 51Trusted Source).
In addition, popcorn provides 1 gram of fiber per 1-cup (8-gram) serving, which is another property that makes it a diabetes-friendly food (49).
Since most prepackaged popcorn is full of salt, trans fats and other unhealthy ingredients, it is healthiest to air-pop your own.
Chia seed pudding is made by soaking chia seeds in milk until the mixture achieves a pudding-like consistency.
It’s a healthy snack for people with diabetes because chia seeds are rich in many nutrients that help stabilize blood sugar, including protein, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids (52).
The fiber in chia seeds can absorb a significant amount of water, which may help control diabetes by slowing down the digestion process and release of sugar into the blood (53Trusted Source).
Additionally, eating chia seeds has been shown to help lower triglyceride levels, which can be good for heart health. This is beneficial because individuals with diabetes tend to have a higher risk of developing heart disease (54Trusted Source, 55Trusted Source).
Energy bites are a fantastic snack idea for people with diabetes.
They are a delicious and healthy snack made by combining and rolling ingredients of your choice into balls. Some common ingredients include nut butter, oats and seeds, such as in this recipe.
Most of the ingredients used to make energy bites are high in fiber, protein and healthy fats — three key nutrients known for keeping blood sugar stable (34Trusted Source, 56Trusted Source, 57Trusted Source).
An added benefit of energy bites is their convenience. They don’t require baking, and you can carry them with you easily while you’re on the go.
Black bean salad is a healthy snack.
To make it, simply combine cooked black beans with chopped vegetables, such as onions and peppers, and toss them in a vinaigrette dressing.
Since black beans are rich in fiber and protein, they make a healthy snack for individuals with diabetes. Eating them may prevent blood sugar spikes and help lower insulin levels after meals (58Trusted Source, 59Trusted Source, 60Trusted Source, 61).
In one study, 12 people who consumed black beans with a meal had up to 33% lower insulin levels five hours after eating, compared to individuals who did not consume black beans (60Trusted Source).
Black beans have also been shown to benefit heart health by helping lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels (62Trusted Source).
My Disease by MwsR
It hurts to have you in my life
Each reminder pricks me like a knife.
I struggle to keep you at “bay”
But you just won’t go away.
Walking seems to clear my head
While you try to keep me in bed.
Food I take in
Keeps me, prisoner, again.
Wishing you weren’t here
Want to take away the worrisome fear.
Like an old friend that I have talked to
You remind me of what I should do.
To say my life would be different without you
It is exactly the truth.
You came into my life when health wasn’t important to me
Taught me a lot, you see.
The diabetes you aren’t my friend
You will, however, be with me till the end.
So I think I’ll try to be
The one I can be with this disease.
Don’t let fear rule or dictate your life.
Live it with all you’ve been given, even amid the strife.
After all, you came first before the Diabetes,
You don’t need to make a peace treaty.
Fight to live!
Take the time to give!
Share your knowledge and experience,
To those who search for a difference.
The pink fairy armadillo is the smallest and cutest species of armadillo. It is on the list of threatened species and is found in the sandy plains, dunes, and grasslands of Argentina. The pink fairy armadillo is a nocturnal creature that survives mostly on insects and plants.
Gus Frerotte and Greg Hill celebrate with turkey after their annual Thanksgiving day game. AP
Football is so ingrained in the Thanksgiving holiday that many people think the game is just as important as the turkey.
The first NFL football game that took place on Thanksgiving Day was in 1934 when the Detroit Lions played the Chicago Bears. The Lions have played on Thanksgiving ever since, except when the team was called away to serve during World War II, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Dallas Cowboys also always play on Thanksgiving. Their first Thanksgiving Day game was held in 1966, and the Cowboys have only missed two games since then.
6. The night before Thanksgiving is the best day for bar sales in the US.
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is responsible for the most bar sales in America, more than New Year’s Eve, the Super Bowl, or even St. Patrick’s Day.
It makes sense, since nearly all Americans have Thanksgiving off and dealing with family members can be very stressful. (But at least stuffing your face with fatty Thanksgiving foods is a perfect hangover cure.)
7. Thanksgiving leftovers inspired the first-ever TV dinner.
In 1953, the TV dinner company Swanson overestimated the demand for turkey by over 260 tons, according to Smithsonian Magazine.
The owners of the company had no idea what to do with all the leftovers, so they enlisted the help of company salesman Gerry Thomas.
Taking inspiration from airplane meals, Thomas ordered 5,000 aluminum trays, and loaded them with the turkey leftovers to create the first TV dinner.
8. Ben Franklin wanted the turkey to be the official bird of the US.
Benjamin Franklin thought turkeys were much more American than bald eagle. Franklin wrote a letter to his daughter that said: “I wish the bald eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country; his is a bird of bad moral character.”
Franklin thought the turkey was a “much more respectable bird.”
8. Thomas Jefferson canceled Thanksgiving during his presidency.
George Washington was the first to declare Thanksgiving as a holiday, but it was on a year-to-year basis, so presidents had to re-declare it every year, according to the Washington Post. Jefferson was so adamantly against Thanksgiving that he refused to declare it a holiday during his presidency, and many say that he called the holiday “the most ridiculous idea ever conceived.”
Most historians agree that Jefferson really refused to declare the holiday because he fervently believed in the separation of church and state, and thought that the day of “prayer” violated the First Amendment.
It wasn’t until 1863, when Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a federal holiday, that our beloved turkey day was officially scheduled to fall on the fourth Thursday of every month.
9. FDR tried to change the date of Thanksgiving — and it caused a lot of problems.
In 1939, Franklin Roosevelt changed the date of Thanksgiving from the last Thursday in November to the second-to-last, according to the US National Archives.
The change was made in an attempt to lift the economy during the Great Depression, the idea being that it would give people more time to shop for Christmas.
But it ended up making everybody confused. Most states held Thanksgiving on its original date, and three states — Colorado, Mississippi, and Texas — celebrated the holiday in both weeks, according to the Wall Street Journal.
It caused such a public outcry that people began referring to it as “Franksgiving.” After two years, Congress ditched the new policy and set the fourth Thursday of November as the legal holiday.
10. Minnesota produces the most turkeys in the US.
Minnesota produces more turkey than any other state in America. Last year, the state produced more than 1.16 billion pounds of turkey, valued at nearly $839 million, according to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center.
North Carolina, Arkansas, Missouri, and Virgina are also top producers.
11. There is an annual tradition of offering a turkey a presidential pardon — and no one is really sure when it began.
Your lungs are one of your body’s most important organs. They deliver oxygen to the body while ridding it of carbon dioxide.
Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your lungs. The numerous chemicals in cigarette smoke damage your bronchial tubes, lungs, and the cilia in your respiratory tract. Fortunately, quitting smoking can improve breathing almost immediately, usually after only 72 hours of being cigarette-free.
Living with a smoker is also harmful to your lungs. Composed of nearly 4,000 chemicals, secondhand smoke damages your respiratory system. In addition to increasing your risk of developing lung cancer, secondhand smoke can also cause asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory illnesses.
To keep your lungs healthy, avoid contact with secondhand smoke and encourage the smokers around you to butt out for good.
You may not smoke, but did the previous occupants of your home indulge in the habit? Watch out for thirdhand smoke, especially if you have rugs in your house. Even though you may not smell it, thirdhand smoke can hang around in floors and walls for years and ultimately cause lung problems.
Before moving into a home that once belonged to a smoker, be sure to give it a thorough cleaning. The same goes for any furniture or clothes you may have acquired from a smoker.
Physical exercise doesn’t just help you stay in better shape—practicing a sport also increases your lung efficiency. As you exercise more frequently, your stronger muscles will need less oxygen, and you won’t become winded as quickly.
Partaking in physical activity means taking in a larger amount of air. If the air you breathe is polluted, your lungs will absorb a larger amount of harmful chemicals. Stay away from factories, busy roads, and highways when you exercise. Try working out in green spaces instead.
Air containing too much dust can eventually harm your lungs and cause various respiratory tract infections. Prevent this by regularly cleaning your home. Dust your furniture, vacuum, and wash your floors and walls.
Warming up beside a wood-burning fireplace may be cozy on a winter day, but it can be hazardous to your lungs. Wood smoke contains numerous chemicals that irritate lungs and bronchial tubes and can put you a risk of developing several respiratory illnesses.
Reduce the harmful effects of wood smoke by always burning dry wood and keeping your fire small.
When you take a bath or shower, remember to turn on your ventilation fan. This simple habit minimizes the proliferation of mold. Usually appearing as small black spots, mold is harmful to the lungs, especially for people with asthma or allergies.
Are you planning to renovate a home that contains asbestos? Leave it to the experts. Breathing in asbestos fibers, even a small amount, is particularly dangerous to the lungs. You risk developing a chronic pulmonary illness that may not appear until years later.
Are you familiar with radon? This radioactive gas is the second most common cause of lung cancer in Canada. Invisible and odorless, radon usually enters homes through cracks, pipes, and windows. The only way to know if your home has radon is to purchase a radon test (they are usually quite affordable).
If you find that your home has too much radon, hire a specialist to correct the problem.
If you can’t remember the last time you saw your doctor, it’s probably time to make an appointment. Depending on your age and history, your doctor may have you undergo a few exams and screening tests to ensure that your lungs are healthy.
Don’t wait until you experience symptoms before seeing your doctor. Some respiratory illnesses are asymptomatic at first and early detection can save you lots of heartache later on.
In addition to increasing its lifespan, regularly maintaining your gas stove minimizes your risk of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) poisoning. NO2 inflames respiratory passages and increases the risk of hospitalization due to pulmonary illness. If you don’t know how to clean your appliance, ask a professional for help.
14/21 SLIDES © Shutterstock
No matter what kind of stove you have, fine particles are released into the air each time you cook. These pollutants irritate the lungs, which can lead to respiratory problems and asthma attacks. To purify the air in your home when you cook, use an exhaust hood with an exterior vent.
Humidifiers can be quite useful, especially in homes with dry air. To truly benefit from this device, however, it must be cleaned regularly.
If you rarely clean your humidifier, it may end up emitting bacteria and mold into the air. You’ll feel the effect of these irritants in your lungs first and, over time, you may develop a pulmonary illness.
The human body is made mostly of water so it’s important to drink enough H2O to stay hydrated. If you don’t drink enough water, your organs, especially your lungs, will suffer.
In fact, insufficiently hydrated people develop thicker-than-average mucus. Breathing becomes more difficult, and the risk of respiratory problems increases.
Did you know that 80 percent of the most common respiratory infections are spread by touch? To protect your lungs from such infections, wash your hands frequently.
You should, for example, wash your hands before and after eating. If you have a cold, you should wash your hands after blowing your nose or sneezing.
Wall paint that’s high in volatile organic compounds (VOC) can irritate the lungs. To minimize health risks, choose a natural paint that contains the fewest VOCs possible.
If you regularly work with high-VOC paint, wear appropriate protective equipment and make sure your workplace is well ventilated.
While keeping your windows closed shuts out noise, this practice may also be bad for your lungs, especially if your home does not have a central ventilation system. Opening your windows ventilates your home by expelling noxious air and lowers the risk of mold development by reducing humidity.
Using an air purifier certainly helps your home smell better, but your lungs may not benefit as much. These devices usually contain VOCs that impair respiratory passages. Even natural and unscented products aren’t risk-free. To purify the air in your home, open your windows. It’s easy and doesn’t cost a thing!
While cleaning products eliminate bacteria, they pose a danger to your lungs. In one study, researchers found that women who regularly used chemical agents to clean their homes experienced a decrease in lung capacity.
To reduce the effects of chemical products on your lungs, use natural or homemade cleaning products.
Here are the guidelines:
I enjoyed answering these questions. Thank you!
Michelle/MwsR
Mws R Writings 