Diabetic Snacks & Snack Bars

Peckish and low?  Fed up with the same old boring healthy bars full of muesli?  Try these ideas!

Snacks

Simple and easy to prepare snack ideas include:-

• omelette
• scrambled eggs
• baked potatoes
• wholemeal toast
• cereal or muesli bar
• baked beans on toast

For something sweeter or as a dessert, try pots of sugar-free jelly or jello, a piece of fruit or some dried fruits.

If you're going out, it may be worth carrying a snack bar or pack of nuts with you, in addition to the glucose which you should try and remember at all times.

Tapas

This is a wonderful Spanish tradition and tapes come in many forms.  From a simple dish of roast almonds or marinated olives to more complicated dishes, this is a tradition in the whole of Spain and around the Mediterranean.

Snack Bars

Whether you're buying snack bars or making your own for home consumption, you'll need to keep an eye on sugar and fat content.

When buying in the store, check out the carbohydrates and sugar per bar - it's worth comparing and not being "fooled" by the packaging.  Some of the popular brands may be lower in carbs and sugar than so-called "healthy" options.

Here's a favorite recipes from our family cookbook:-

Fruit & Nut bars

• 2oz apricots
• 2 oz dates
• 2 oz figs
• 2oz sultanas
• 2oz sunflower seeds
• 2oz hazelnuts
• 4oz porridge oats
• 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 1 tbsp apple juice

1. Preheat oven to 180C,350F,GM4
2. Finely chop or mince the fruit and nuts
3. Mix all ingredients together well
4. Press into a lightly greased baking tin
5. Bake for 15 minutes
6. Cut into slices whilst still warm

Children's Healthy Snacks

There's loads of new bars available in stores - particularly places such as Holland & Barrett or Waitrose seem to stock a good variety.

Other useful easy storecupboard ideas are to buy a large pack of apricots or raisins and packet a few up, ready to take to school.  Of course, you can also buy the pre-boxed raisins or apricots, though these will tend to be more expensive.

Here's a few more recipes for light snacks or snack bars:-

• Baked Sweet Potato Receipes
  Here's a few ideas for how to cook baked sweet potato together with simple topping recipes. As they're low GI, these receipes are ideal for inclusion in a diabetic diet.
  
  
• Date and Oat Slice Snack Recipe
  Delicious, if a little crumbly, this is a healthier version than many cakes or bakes.
  
  
• Cheese on Toast
  Simple but healthy and an ideal bite to eat at lunchtime. Or for Sunday tea, try soft boiled eggs with toast soldiers.
  
  
• Fruit Smoothie Recipes
  Fruit smoothies are a quick, healthy option for diabetics looking for a quick meal or snack.
  
  
• Roast Almonds with Paprika
  Enjoyed in Spain, the tapas, or pre-meal snack, is an enjoyable tradition.
  
  
• Simple Healthy Soup Recipes
  A simple homemade vegetable soup recipe that you can add to or adapt to make your own.
  
  

We'd love to receive your family favorites for this page!

For further healthy ideas consider snacking on superfoods such as brazil nuts and blueberries.

Thanks to André Karwath aka Aka for the images