Diabetes: Healthy Daytime Snacks

Snacks help prevent low blood sugar levels and provide energy between meals. Typical snacks contain 15 to 30 grams of carbohydrate. Below are some lowfat snack ideas to try.

Snacks containing 15 grams of carbohydrate:

• 1 medium apple or orange
• 18 small pretzel twists
• 2 popcorn cakes
• 1/2 small bagel with fat-free cream cheese
• 3 cups air popped or low-fat microwave popcorn
• 8 oz. or 1 carton light yogurt
• 4 to 5 vanilla wafers
• 5 to 6 saltine crackers
• 1 1/2 graham crackers
• 1/2 cup low-fat ice cream
• 2 Tbsp raisins
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup sugar-free pudding

Snacks with 30 grams of carbohydrate:

• 1 small bagel with fat-free cream cheese
• 1 oz baked tortilla chips with 1/4 cup salsa
• 1 low-fat granola bar
• 1 large banana or 2 pieces of fruit
• 4 oz individual fruit cup and 1 cup skim milk
• 1 cup Cheerios with 1/2 cup skim milk
• 1/4 cup dried fruit
• 2 caramel corn cakes
• 1 cereal bar
• 15 baked potato chips
• 14 animal crackers and 1/2 cup skim milk
• 2 fig cookies and 1 cup skim milk

Special Suggestions

• Encourage your child to eat fresh fruit rather than juice as a routine snack (unless blood sugar is low).
• Sugar-free flavorings (e.g., sugar-free cocoa or milk flavorings) can be added to milk, if needed.
• If your child is still hungry after the snack, offer water, popsicles made using diet pop or Kool-Aid, or sticks of sliced fresh carrots or celery placed in a dish with cold water and ice cubes.
• Don't make issues of food jags or eating crazes. They usually pass (if not emphasized).