What Is The Best Thing A Diabetic Should Eat Before Bed
A good choice for diabetics would be to have some hard-boiled eggs or low-fat cheese. These two options contain protein and fats that can help balance blood sugar levels overnight. The low-fat cheese has fewer carbohydrates than regular cheese, which will also be helpful in balancing those levels during sleep. But of course, these aren’t the most appealing snacks you can have before going to bed. Let alone brushing your teeth after some cheese or eggs in the late evening.
Some other options include fruits such as bananas or grapes , hummus, carrots, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers slices with yogurt dip, celery sticks with peanut butter or almond butter . Experimenting until you find what works best for you usually takes time but it’s worth it to see what does raise blood sugar levels and how to limit blood glucose spikes. Avoid fatty and carbohydrate-rich foods like pizza, chips, fried food, …
Some great bedtime snacks for diabetes are
Understanding High Blood Sugar At Night
Blood sugar, also called glucose, is the body’s main source of energy. The body gets most of its glucose by metabolizing the carbohydrates in food, per Kaiser Permanente. For people with diabetes, their systems struggle to manage glucose correctly, leading to high blood sugar. But the treatment of diabetes can also cause low blood sugar .
“Some diabetes medications lower blood glucose levels during the night,”Jo-Anne Rizzotto, a registered dietitian nutritionist and director of educational services at Harvard’s Joslin Diabetes Center, tells LIVESTRONG.com. “But if blood sugar levels drop too low, the liver responds by releasing stored glucose.” This nocturnal release of glucose can cause high blood sugar during the night and into the next morning, known as the Somogyi effect. The good news? “People with type 2 diabetes don’t have this issue unless they’re on glucose-lowering medications,” says Rizzotto.
The Somogyi effect should not be confused with the so-called “dawn phenomenon,” another cause of high morning blood sugar, Rizzotto says. The dawn phenomenon is a product of human evolution it occurs in all people and involves the body pumping out extra glucose in the early morning hours to get the body ready to wake up.
Read more:What Are Normal Blood Sugar Levels and What Happens if They’re High?
Greek Yogurt And Nuts
A serving of unsweetened, plain Greek yogurt or skyr yogurt is rich in gut-healthy probiotics and protein, and topping it with nuts increases good fats, fiber, and magnesium, the latter which soothes muscles and promotes relaxation.
“A low-sugar Greek yogurt with berries and a few nuts is a great balance of protein, fiber, and fat to help keep blood sugar stable, and research shows foods like strawberries and wild blueberries can help improve insulin resistance as well,” Harris-Pincus says.
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Healthy Bedtime Snacks For Those With Diabetes
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It may seem counter-intuitive to eat right before bedtime, but for those with type 2 diabetes, a small nighttime snack can keep the liver from pumping out stored glucose and help diabetes sufferers have better blood sugar readings in the morning. But what should you nosh on after dinner to keep your glucose under control? Here are fifteen quick snack ideas for Caregivers and those living with type 2 diabetes,
How To Build Your Own Nighttime Snack For Diabetes Health
You may be able to see a few themes in the above snacks. First and foremost, they arent full mealsmost hover around 200 calories, though some are a bit larger or smaller. You dont want to load up on carbs or calories right before bed, both for reasons of sugar levels and weight control. You might choose to eat a few more carbs or calories if you had a smaller or early dinner, or if you engaged in a lot of exercise that evening. You might choose to eat a lighter snack if you ate a late or big dinner, or if you have been sedentary.
Secondly you always want to pair a carb with a protein for your bedtime snack. Aim for 10-20 grams of carbs, which could be anything from a serving of crackers, to a fist-sized amount of fruit, to a half-serving of dairy. Pair this with a high-protein item, such as a lean meat, a low-fat cheese, or a nut butter so that it takes longer for you to digest and process the carb.
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Celery With A Hummus Dip
The celery is a veggie that is usually enjoyed raw. It has a fair amount of benefitting vitamins and minerals.
Celery sticks are very low in calories, carbohydrates, as well as starch. They have fiber, which is a good nutrient for the gut.
Another low in a starchy veggie like carrots can also be added to your celery and hummus dip snack.
Hummus is a healthy dip and a good spread to choose from with your veggies.
Although, when making hummus a bedtime diabetic snack, you can go for homemade chickpea hummus, as market-bought hummus is usually processed, high in additives, preservatives, and have a higher GI.
Hummus can be beneficial, but a diabetic patient must watch the portion eaten.
When pairing any veggies with hummus, take no more than one-third cup of this healthy dip.
Hummus can also be replaced by peanut butter and taken as per your taste.
Hummus is rich in protein and makes you feel full after a snack. It also does not add too many carbs which can be harmful to your blood sugar levels. The breakdown of protein in the body is slower than that of carbs, and hence, sugar levels do not spike up immediately.
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Are Pretzels Ok For Diabetics
- Score4.4/5
Not for diabetics. Most brands of pretzels contain the same ingredients – white flour, yeast, salt, vegetable and corn syrup. Because they are baked, they don’t have as many calories as chips. But the refined carbs will send blood sugars soaring.Read more
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Are Pretzels Good For A Diabetic
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Dont Go More Than 5 To 6 Waking Hours Without Food
As a general rule, try to minimize any long gaps during the day without fuel, Sheth says, noting that 5 to 6 hours between meals is the absolute max most people with diabetes should push it.
Some people may even need to eat every 3 to 4 hours for optimal blood sugar management, adds Phelps.
Keep in mind that how often you need to eat is going to be a determining factor in your ideal snacking strategy.
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How To Avoid Low Blood Sugar At Night
A good first step to try and prevent low blood glucose levels is to test your blood glucose levels before bed using your CGM or blood glucose meter. If you know your levels before going to bed you can easily adapt to them. This can help to prevent blood glucose levels drop significantly. Going to bed with stable blood sugars is highly recommended.
If you suspect hypoglycemic episodes overnight, conduct a blood sugar test at 3 am and compare it with your before bed and first thing in the morning tests. You can also adjust your insulin dose according to what you eat. Always consult your doctor before adjusting your insulin yourself.
It’s important to have proper nutrition before hitting the hay. Prevent high blood sugar by taking some carbohydrates before bedtime, and prevent low blood sugar by eating a bit of protein.
To control blood sugar levels before sleeping and preventing low blood sugar you can also:
- One factor that can affect blood sugar glucose levels in diabetics is basal insulin dosage it’s important to reduce the nighttime administration of this medicine.
- Lower the long-acting insulin that you take at night before going to bed by 50%.
- When you went out for an evening or night of drinking it’s important to eat something that contains carbohydrates
- Test your blood sugar before going to bed
What Foods Will Raise Blood Sugar Quickly
Every diabetic has had to face low blood pressure. Feeling weak and dizzy is a key sign of low blood pressure, and for many people, it comes at the worst times. Your blood sugar is considered low if it falls below 70 mg/dL, which can leave you feeling jittery, faint, irritable, or lightheaded.
Of course, your blood sugar levels change throughout the day, making it important to check regularly to keep yourself informed of any changes.
The rule of thumb with diabetes is to have 15 grams of carbohydrates, wait 15 minutes, then check your blood sugar again to see how your levels have fluctuated. This is called the 15-15 rule, and should only be used when your blood sugar drops lower than normal levels.
Your blood sugar tends to fluctuate throughout the day. Itll be lower when you first wake up, especially if you havent eaten for the past 8 to 10 hours.
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Checking your blood sugar levels frequently can help regulate your snacking habits as well if you notice you experience low blood pressure at certain times of the day or before certain activities, you can plan ahead to pack a snack and bring your blood sugar up quickly.
This is why it is important to keep a variety of snacks on hand, not just snacks that will keep your cravings satisfied and your blood sugar regulated, but snacks that will help bring your blood sugar up quickly if it drops too low.
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Baby Carrots Cherry Tomatoes Or Cucumber Slices
Non-starchy vegetables are a great choice for a snack. They are very low in calories, fats, and carbohydrates, while offering plenty of vitamins and minerals.
These vegetables also provide antioxidants and a good dose of fiber to boost heart and gut health. For more protein, add a low-fat cheese slice to this low-calorie snack.
Plan Your Meals Ahead Of Time
The best snacks for each person will depend on how the body responds to the dawn phenomenon and the Somogyi effect, as well as personal preferences and goals.
The American Diabetes Association recommends that people develop a personalized meal plan with their healthcare team, and this can include snacks and their timings.
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Hummus And Veggies Or Whole Grain Toast
Grab your favorite hummus, and pull out a few veggie sticks or a slice of whole grain toast for some fiber and complex carbs without all the excess refined carbs and sugar. The hummus provides for a protein and fiber boost to increase satiety and keep blood sugar in check.
“A few tablespoons of hummus with carrots provides heart healthy fats, fiber, and plant based protein for a vegan snack option,” Harris-Pincus says.
Foods To Avoid For Diabetic Patients
Keeping a check on your daily diet is essential to avoid unwanted health situations. Here are some foods that you must avoid if you are a type 1 or type 2 diabetic patient:
Flavored coffee
Though coffee is associated with many health benefits for diabetics, store-bought coffee is loaded with sugar and everything bad.
White bread, and pasta
White bread and pasta are processed foods made of refined flour which is totally not recommended for diabetics.
Flavored Yogurt
Yogurt is a great food option for diabetics, but you need to stop right now if you are fond of fruit-flavored yogurts, you need to stop right now! Such yogurts are low in fats but very high in sugar.
Sugary beverages
Sodas and sweet drinks are very high in sugar. Also, the high fructose content is associated with numerous health problems.
Processed snacks
Processed foods and snacks are typically made of refined flour which can quickly elevate your sugar.
Dried fruits
Dried fruits have concentrated levels of sugar. They are also loaded with high levels of carbohydrates.
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Bonus Tips On Nighttime Snacking
Nighttime snacking options can differ depending on your specific situation. However, the following three bonus tips are good for anyone to follow:
For more information read The Best Midnight Snacks for Diabetes Management on Everyday Health.
How Many Cups Of Popcorn Can A Diabetic Eat
When you eat a snack it’s always important to check how it’s going to affect your blood sugar levels. It is recommended that only one cup of plain air-popped popcorn should be eaten at a time and it shouldn’t take more than two cups in a day. Avoid eating excessive portions to blood sugar control in range.
Remember, the glycemic index can change depending on what you add to your popcorn before eating so if possible avoid adding butter or salt which are high in fat content.
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Can Diabetics Eat Hamburgers
This fast-food staple may be a diabetes risk factor for you. A study published in February 2010 in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that African-American women who eat hamburgers in a restaurant two or more times a week are much more likely to receive a diabetes diagnosis than those who do not.
Low Carb Energy Bites
Low carb energy bites are convenient, portable snacks that you can easily customize to fit your personal food preferences.
They typically include nuts like almonds or cashews, which are high in fiber and protein .
One large review of 40 studies showed that consumption of tree nuts may be linked to lower levels of fasting insulin and reduced insulin resistance, both of which could help support better blood sugar control .
To get started, add 1/2 cup almonds and 1/2 cup cashews to a food processor, along with 1 cup Medjool dates, sea salt, and a drizzle of vanilla extract.
If youre feeling creative, you can also experiment with other ingredients, such as shredded coconut, cocoa powder, nut butter, flaxseeds, or protein powder.
Blend the mixture until well combined, then divide into small balls and place on a lined baking sheet or plate. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes until firm, and enjoy.
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Cheesy Keto Broccoli Cauliflower Tots
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Saying goodbye to your favorite starchy sides doesnt mean you have to give up tots forever. These cheesy no-tater tots are made with broccoli and cauliflower, giving you a sneaky dose of veggies and fiber. And since theyre mixed with almond flour, parmesan, and garlic powder, they fit perfectly into a diabetic-friendly meal plan.
Turkey Wrap With Avocado And Tomato
If you’re in the mood for a sandwich, subbing crisp Romaine lettuce leaves for high-carb bread means you can have that sandwich and eat it too. Lean turkey breast provides protein to promote satiety, while a few slices of avocado offers fiber as well as monounsaturated fatty acidsa so-called “healthy” fat found in research to help improve blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. A slice of juicy tomato brings flavor and nutrients to the table.
A wrap made with two lettuce leaves, two ounces turkey breast, one-third of a small avocado, and one slice of tomato adds up to 150 calories, 8 g fat, 6 g carbs, 4 g fiber, and 13 g protein.
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Apple And Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a food that has protein and potassium. Protein helps the body to produce insulin and potassium helps the cells to take in glucose. These two nutrients are helpful for diabetics because they help the cells to let blood sugar into the cells. Eating a snack with protein and potassium at bedtime can help people with diabetes to sleep better and rest better at night when their blood sugar levels are stable.
Apple also provides your body with vitamins and the American Diabetes Association says that apples are a good addition to the diet of a diabetic.
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Diabetic snack – Late night snack for all.. Choosing healthy snacks can be difficult when you have diabetes. Hard-boiled eggs are a super healthy snack for people with diabetes. Their protein content really makes them shine.
Medically reviewed by Miho Hatanaka, RDN, L.When portioning snacks, remember to keep them around Hummus and celery.Chickpeas contain fiber and protein to keep you full all night long.
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