By
Jacqueline Turner
When it comes snacking when you are on a low GI diet, you want something that is quick to make and quick to eat and more importantly delicious. There are a number of choices available to you on the market today that are low enough on the glycemic index to enable you to snack and keep your blood sugars normal if you have diabetes etc.
The first food that is a good choice for a snack as well as for a meal is the use of oats. Porridge oats are low enough on the index and are a very healthy choice because they don't just offer you fibre but also offer carbohydrates. For this reason, you are able to have the best of both worlds without harming a diet or your sugar levels. Porridge oats eaten early in the morning will level out your blood sugar, which if starts off too high can leave you sluggish and tired during the day. If you are someone who likes to have your oats sweet, you may want to consider the use of artificial sweeteners rather than using sugar or honey. By simply adding extra fibre to your oats by using fresh fruits such as berries (blueberries have amazing health benefits on their own so are always a top choice) or a banana, you are able to stay fuller for longer time periods.
The second choice that you might want to consider for a snack is the humble orange. Many individuals believe that watermelons being full of "water" are better for you when the reality is that oranges are actually better... Eating the orange compared to actually drinking the juice which is also low on the index is preferred here as it's the bulk that makes you fuller for longer rather than the liquid. That considered, other fruits which are also low and ideal for snacking are: apples, bananas, plums, peaches and pears. All of these can also cure your sweet craving which is a bonus too.
The third food that qualifies as a low GI snack is popcorn. Popcorn is a whole grain which contains more fibre than plain crisps and ice cream, so stops the hunger quicker. Popcorn is low in fat, low in sugar, and some would argue low in flavour without the lashings of caramel, chocolate or salt, but it's not. Lightly spray the popcorn with low fat spray and then sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, or an artificial sweetener if you like it sweet, or seasonings such as garlic powder, chili powder, paprika etc if you like it savoury. Just because it's healthy doesn't mean it doesn't taste great! Just remember when you are eating popcorn is to avoid shop bought which is usually high in salt or sugar as well as butter. Simply make your popcorn and enjoy it the GI way.
The fourth of our snack foods are peanuts. Peanuts are low on the chart being a legume (as it splits in 2 pieces) and not really a nut as say a macadamia nut (which is one whole piece). Peanuts are not only low on the glycemic index, but they have other terrific benefits such as being full of vitamin E which has been reported as being an anti-oxidant that can reduce the risk of cancer, as well as being a good source of Coenzyme Q10 which protects the heart if you suffer from clogged arteries. Peanuts are not just high in fibre but are also high in protein and high in mono-unsaturated fat which is reported to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease as well. They can be higher calorie laden so as all foods - moderation is the key. We aren't however talking about salted peanuts, but rather fresh plain peanuts.
The last snack that will help you to keep those blood sugars on target and are on the lower end of the glycemic index chart is a small salad. You can find small salads in the stores as well as making your own salad to take with you to work or school. Get together some lettuce, tomato, peppers and add to that some quinoa with vinaigrette dressing and you have a quality salad. If you choose to add some meat to your salad always choose lean pork or beef as this will help with the amount of protein that you are ingesting. You can add eggs, cheese, vegetables and more to your salad which will help to keep you full for longer time periods.
When using a dressing for your salad, choose oils or vinegars but if you must have dressing, make sure you choose one that is low in calories.
Diabetes is annoying and diabetics resort to all sorts of methods for controlling it. In any case suffering from diabetes is one of the most annoying experiences. Patients need lifelong treatment and medication and at the same time confront multiple restrictions relating to food and lifestyle. More than anything else the diet plan for diabetics may be boring and irritating and even eating sweet fruits could be prohibited for the patient.
Good news is that there are at least 3 amazing fruits for diabetics that could really control the blood sugar levels. A diabetic has to keep in mind that controlling blood sugar does not involve medicine and treatment alone but also controlling food habits. Food containing cholesterol and fats should be avoided at all costs. In addition one needs some regular workouts, at least walking a distance to keep the blood sugar levels under control.
While generally sweet fruits could be detrimental for diabetics, three fruits that can help control the blood glucose are apple, jambul, and grapefruit. One of the prime concerns of both the patient and the physician would be to decide whether fruits can help control blood sugar in reality. The answer is simple. Like high fiber and low carbohydrate containing vegetables these fruits can also help control diabetes.
Apple and citrus fruits are good for diabetics since they contain pectin. The component helps in lowering the requirements of insulin in the body and help converting glucose in the blood stream into energy. Apple also has vitamin B1 that helps prevent damage to brain that is often one of the worst affects of diabetes. Raw apple, cooked apple, or apple in other forms is all beneficial to body.
It has been clinically established beyond all reasonable doubts that Jambul is very good for preventing diabetes. Known popularly as the black plum, the fruit controls the conversion of starch in to blood sugar. Even the barks, leaves and flowers of the tree can be used for controlling the sugar levels in the blood. Major affects of diabetes like frequent thirst and urination can be controlled by eating the fruit.
Third and also very useful among the fruits is grapefruit. Red grapes that contain citrus taste can regenerate energy when the sugar levels are down. In fact grape fruit is common ingredient in the diet for healthy cure from diabetes.
All the three amazing fruits that can help prevent and even cure diabetes come in the sweet fruit categories. If you wish to have some bitter taste to it then there is Momordica Charantia, the bitter albeit popular fruit.
Murali is the author of this article. This article can be used for reprint on your website provided all the links in the article should be complete and active. |