If you have diabetes, you should know the importance of eating the appropriate meals at the right time. Eating unhealthy snacks before bed can trigger blood sugar changes, making it harder to get a decent night’s sleep. Eating low-carb and low-fat snacks at night would be best to keep the insulin levels in balance.
Choosing the perfect evening snack to eat before bed might be challenging. You want one that won’t interfere with your sleep cycle.
For example, a piece of candy or a cake may taste delicious, but chocolate and other sweet foods can keep you awake too late. It will make falling asleep or sleeping well through the night difficult.
In this article, I will explain the best bedtime diabetic snacks for people fighting with diabetes, including bedtime snacks to prevent low blood sugar at night..
Keep reading this article to know the answer to all your queries.
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Healthy Bedtime Snacks For Diabetics
Eating just before bed is not a good idea since it results in excess calorie intake, the potential to disrupt sleep, and a most likely spike in blood sugar, so persons with diabetes must exercise caution when assessing how a late-night snack may influence their health.
We have produced a list of five amazing diabetic night snacks that will keep your blood sugar levels in check.
1. Nuts And Seeds
Nuts include carbs, making them one of the greatest diabetic night snacks, but they’re balanced with a good amount of fat, so your blood sugar won’t jump excessively.
If you’re sensitive to nuts, try pumpkin or sunflower seeds instead. Look for raw or dry-roasted seeds not processed with oils or sugars. These are the safest diabetic snacks before bed.
2. Apple
Apples include a lot of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C. It includes natural carbohydrates that do not affect glucose levels.
Apples make excellent night nibbles. Their high fiber content keeps you fuller for longer, allowing you to sleep well and maintain low fasting sugar levels. They also help lower insulin resistance, which helps people with diabetes regulate their blood sugar levels.
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3. Fiber-rich, Low-Sugar Cereal
Cereal has a poor name since many are sweet and heavy in processed carbohydrates. You may, however, enjoy it as long as you buy a fortified cereal that is low in sugar and high in protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
A small bowl of high-fiber cereal with extremely high high-protein milk contributes complex carbohydrates, and this type of milk is higher in protein and lower in carbs than regular milk, resulting in a better macronutrient balance. You can take cereal twice or thrice in a week because it’s a perfect diabetic snacks before bed.
4. Hummus with Veggies or Fruit
Hummus is prepared from chickpeas, a plant-based protein, and legumes, such as chickpeas, have a special advantage for people with diabetes. Chickpeas and other legumes may help improve insulin sensitivity.
Hummus has a low glycemic index. It is high in diabetes-friendly complex carbohydrates, protein, heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, and vitamins and minerals. Humus is also a best option to take as a snacks for diabetics at night.
5. Blueberries, Cottage Cheese, and Cinnamon
This high-protein, high-calcium dish is creamy and satisfying, with a low sugar content when unsweetened. Then, top with berries, nuts, or vegetables that maintain stable blood sugar levels. Both will provide fiber to keep you full all night.
Cottage cheese with cinnamon and berries has slow-digesting protein and fiber from the fruit, and cinnamon may give a minor blood sugar boost.
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6. Roasted Channa
Chickpeas (chana) are high in fiber and protein.
Because of its high fiber and protein content, roasted chana is an excellent diabetic night snack. Regular eating can significantly reduce glucose levels.
A study was conducted where the glucose levels were calculated after the consumption of chickpeas. There was a reduction in glucose levels after consuming channa.
7. Cheese With Whole-Grain Crackers
As a reminder, whole grains include beneficial quantities of fiber, which helps prevent significant rises in blood sugar. But can people with diabetes eat cheese? It has protein, some fat, and little carbs, but more crucially, the protein and fat can also help you feel full for longer, thus reducing cravings for less-healthy foods.
Also, for those who eat a vegan diet or are lactose intolerant, Plant-based cheese can be substituted, but it will have a reduced protein level. A piece of vegan cheese has about 1 to 2 grams of protein.
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8. Toast with Peanut Butter
Toast spread with peanut butter is a finest night snacks for diabetics because it contain complex carbs and healthy fats, which can help you maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the night.
Choose natural peanut butter with no added sugars or artificial sweeteners to ensure diabetic-friendly snacking.
9. Fresh Fruits
Fruits with a low sugar content and a low glycemic index (GI) are also suitable diabetic night snacks. It contains fiber and minerals that help balance your blood sugar levels and keep you full all night.
Among low GI fruits are berries, plums, kiwi, and grapefruit. Bananas, oranges, mangoes, grapes, raisins, dates, and pears have a higher GI.
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10. Eggs
Eggs are protein-rich, with one big egg containing 6.29 grams (g). Carbohydrates are very minute in eggs.
To add fiber, pair the egg with a few whole-grain crackers. Fibre slows the digestion process, allowing the energy from the food to be released over a longer period. It may aid in the maintenance of steady blood sugar levels.
11. Greek Yogurt
Greek Yogurt also has more protein, fewer carbohydrates, and fewer sugars than regular Yogurt. It suggests that Greek Yogurt may be even more beneficial to patients with type 2 diabetes.
According to the American Diabetes Association, Yogurt, skim milk, and several low-fat pieces of cheese are among the healthiest dairy products. Yogurt is high in calcium and high in protein.
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4 Snacks to Treat Low Blood Sugar At Night
Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can occur in many people with diabetes who use specific drugs, such as insulin and sulfonylureas. It can happen for various reasons, including missing a meal, excessive exercise, taking too much insulin, or eating alcohol, especially on an empty stomach.
Low blood sugar can range from a little a problem to a life-threatening calamity. That is why treating low blood sugar before it becomes serious is critical. I have listed a few snack options to treat hypoglycemia.
- Carrot
The simple carrot is a non-starchy vegetable that may be part of a balanced diet but also makes an excellent hypoglycemic snack. Two medium-sized carrots provide around 12 g of carbs. That is the perfect size snack to satisfy hunger and treat mildly low blood sugar.
- Fruit Juices
Fruit juice can also help to raise blood sugar levels. Half a cup (4 ounces) of your favorite fruit juice, such as apple, orange, pineapple, or cranberry juice, can be consumed to treat hypoglycemia.
- Raisins
Raisins are a healthful and quick-acting solution to treat low blood sugar. Prunes, dried apricots, dates, and dried mangos are other portable, carb-dense, and delicious alternatives to boost your blood sugar on the road.
- Low-fat Milk
Because milk includes vitamin D and carbs, the Nutritionist recommends one cup of fat-free milk to treat glucose levels. Milk treats hypoglycemia.
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Tips to Avoid Spikes in Blood Glucose Levels At Night
The following are the most efficient techniques for preventing nighttime blood sugar spikes:
- Avoid eating high-fat meals later in the evening.
- Consume diabetic night snacks that include complex carbs, protein, and low-fat meals to help you sleep better.
- Eat thoughtfully by concentrating on appreciating your food.
- Avoid eating when watching television, reading, driving, or otherwise distracted.
- Plan your meal ahead of time.
- Choose healthy snacks over those high in empty calories and poor in quality carbs.
- Understand and pay attention to portion sizes.
- After eating at night, go for a walk around the neighborhood.
FAQs:
Is Oatmeal a Good Bedtime Snack?
Oatmeal is high in fiber and complex carbs, making it an excellent choice for diabetic snacking. These nutrients will aid with blood sugar regulation.
What Time Should Stop Eating At Night?
People with diabetes should consume dinner between 8 and 9 p.m. It is best to avoid eating close to bedtime or late at night.
What is the Best Food to Eat When Your Blood Glucose Levels Are Low?
Half a banana, 15 grapes, two tablespoons of raisins, or a small apple or orange offer enough carbs. Fruit juice can also help to raise blood sugar levels.
How Much Does Chocolate Rise Blood Sugar Level?
Cocoa solids plenty in Chocolate (100%) are commonly recognized as a low glycemic food, so it does not dramatically raise blood sugar levels. Chocolate’s fat and fiber make it slow-digesting, so you don’t experience an immediate surge.
Can Diabetics Eat Nutella?
No, it is unhealthy because it is packed with sugar. Shockingly, Nutella has more sugar than Betty Crocker Milk Chocolate Rich & Creamy Frosting (17 grams).
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Final Words:
When you have diabetes, it might be difficult for you to choose diabetic-friendly foodstuffs. Selecting snacks strong in fiber, protein, and healthy fats is vital. These nutrients make it simpler to maintain a healthy blood sugar level.
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