There is a misconception among the public in general and diabetes patients in particular that eating or snacking after 8 pm is not good for health. This claim, however, is not backed by science. Although you should have fixed meal times, snacking at night isn’t necessarily going to land you into the zone of health problems unless you opt for unhealthy, processed, junk, or fried food. In fact, according to endocrinologists in Pakistan, people suffering from type 2 diabetes might unconsciously be contributing to high blood sugar by not having a nighttime snack.
Why snacking could be good for diabetics!
Medications for diabetes, particularly insulin, lower blood sugar levels by helping glucose enter cells. The medication is tailored to the need of each patient to ensure blood levels do not go too high or too low. Insulin sometimes acts in the body for an extended period of time. During the day, the blood sugar levels remain constant because we eat frequent meals, some of which may consist of carbs that provide our body with a steady supply of energy.
However, if you eat nothing after dinner, there could be a twelve hour gap between your last meal of the day and breakfast the next morning. All this while, insulin might continue to work and this can cause your blood sugar to dip too low. When this happens, your liver may release the extra glucose store for such occasions into your body and cause blood sugar to rise. That’s why it is imperative that you have a nighttime snack to keep your blood sugar levels stable. Here are some snacks you can have:
1- Cheese And Crackers:
Whole grain crackers and cheese is also a great snack for nighttime. You can also swap crackers for baked chips. Make sure that the crackers you opt for do not contain enriched flour and are high in fiber. Ideally, the ingredients list should be limited to whole-grain flour, salt, and vegetable oil. However, be mindful of the serving size.
2- Nuts:
Nuts such as walnuts, walnuts, pistachios, cashews, and hazelnuts do have some carbs but since they are high in good fats, they will prevent your blood sugar from rising. Even though nuts are very healthy, they are energy dense so make sure you don’t go overboard. You can also snack on dry-roasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds if you do not like nuts.
3- Olives:
High in fats and low in carbs, olives are perfect late night snacks as they contain nutrients such as iron, fiber, copper, and vitamin E. Studies have shown that intake of olive oil can mediate the effects of carbs on blood sugar and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Get in touch with a gastroenterologist in Multan to make sure olives will work for you.
4- Raw Vegetables:
Raw vegetables are low in calories and you can turn them into snacks by pairing them with delicious spreads such as hummus and peanut butter. You can also have a hard boiled egg with vegetables to add a protein source to your meals.
You can consult a dietitian to find out which foods you should include in your diet if you are diabetic or prediabetic. You can find and book an appointment with top Diabetologist in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad through oladoc.com. You can also call our helpline at 042-3890-0939 for assistance to find the RIGHT Doctor for your health concerns.
