For those with diabetes, it is often essential to eat a snack at night in order to prevent blood sugar from dropping dangerously low while you sleep. Stabilizing blood sugar before bed with a snack will allow you to sleep peacefully and without waking in the middle of the night with an urge to raid the pantry. For optimal health, it is important to choose a healthy snack that includes carbohydrates, fats and proteins, and one that will not cause your blood sugar to spike.
Whole Grains
Incorporating whole grain-based foods, such as crackers or bread, into your diet before bed will keep you feeling full throughout the night because of their high fiber content. These foods provide needed carbohydrates so that your body will have the energy to function throughout the night. A few whole-wheat crackers or a piece of whole-grain toast spread with a tablespoon of peanut butter will provide needed nutrients but will not cause a spike in blood sugar. Pair the snack with a cup of low-fat milk for a calcium boost.
Fruits and Vegetables
Snacking on fresh fruits and vegetables before bed can satisfy a sweet or savory craving. Freeze twenty red or green grapes or a whole banana for a quick, refreshing snack. Or whip up a smoothie by blending half a banana and one-half cup of plain yogurt. If it's a savory snack you crave, snack on cherry tomatoes or cut-up carrots, bell peppers or celery sticks. For an extra burst of flavor, use salsa, hummus or light ranch dressing for a dip.
Nuts
Because nuts have both a high fat and protein content, they will keep you fuller longer than an equal serving size of carbohydrate-based foods such as crackers. Any nuts, such as pecans, cashews or almonds, are a healthy choice. Be sure to choose varieties that are not coated in salt to avoid an increase blood pressure. Because nuts have a high oil concentration, it is best to limit yourself to a single serving, which is one ounce, or the amount that will fit inside the palm of your hand.
Tags: blood sugar, Because nuts, Because nuts have, foods such, foods such crackers, nuts have
