Do people with diabetes need to eat snacks?
It was once thought that people with diabetes needed to eat snacks to keep their blood glucose even throughout the day. It is now known that snacks are not needed to regulate blood glucose levels and actually may cause weight gain or increased blood glucose levels when excessive. Since people sometimes snack for other reasons besides hunger (like boredom), the snack calories are extra calories that can lead to weight gain. A good rule of thumb is to eat healthful snacks in moderation if you enjoy snacking. Ask your dietitian or health care team if you should eat snacks or how many snacks you should eat each day. Back | Next: Can fiber lower your blood glucose level?
