Type 2 Diabetes - Not All Bed Time Snacks Are Healthy For Diabetics

Not all bedtime snacks are unhealthy for diabetics. You simply need to educate yourself on which foods to snack on at night. What you choose to eat can depend on a range of factors.
The best choices are "free foods" which include:

• baby carrots,
• saltine crackers,
• a serve of sugar-free gelatin,
• a vanilla wafer, or
• a piece of sugar-free gum or candy.

These foods are considered calorie or carb free so do not affect your weight or blood sugar levels.
If you need to snack before going to bed to prevent a hypoglycemic attack, it's advised you consult with your doctor as you may need to adjust your medication dosage.
If you snack during the day, it's wise to plan your overall calorie count to be within your ideal range. It is better to reduce the calorie count in your main meals if you are going to snack. Your body will get used to taking in fewer calories each time you eat as you will be eating more often.
For example, if your total calorie intake goal is 1500 calories, you can have

• 3 x 500 calorie meals, or
• 5 x 300 calorie meals/snacks, or
• 3 x 400 and 2 x 150 calorie meals/snacks.

As long as you reduce your meal calorie count, it's acceptable to snack on healthy choices. You must take care and avoid eating too many calories so focus on portion sizes.
Other recommended snack options include:

• saltine crackers with low-fat toppings, low-fat cheese, peanut butter,
• a small yoghurt serving,
• 2 Wasa crackers and a hard-boiled egg,
• a low-fat chocolate milk drink, or a
• low-fat sandwich.

Fruit is a good idea because it can help your body detoxify. You can have:

• a small apple, orange, pear,
• a few plums, raspberries, blueberries, plums, strawberries or blackberries.

Fruits to avoid include watermelon, grapes, mangos, bananas and oranges because they are high in sugar.
You only NEED a snack before you go to bed if your blood sugar is low. If they're not low, then you don't need a snack but it doesn't necessarily prevent cravings.
Protein is an ideal nighttime snack because it helps stabilize your blood sugar. Legumes, lentils or soy are good, as is a small plate of fish or poultry. Two tablespoons of nuts are a healthy protein snack before bed. Oatmeal is also healthy as it contains fiber and is slowly digested; two factors vital for the control of blood sugar.
When choosing your bedtime snacks, always check the labels so you know exactly what you are putting into your body and whether there may be an adverse reaction. Hunger can be overwhelming. Drinking a glass of water before bed and/or in the middle of the night can sometimes alleviate hunger without adding extra calories to your diet.
Do not hesitate to seek help from your doctor or dietitian if you continue to have high or low blood sugar at bedtime or during the night.

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making easy changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate some of the complications you may already experience.
For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.
The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

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