Hi JeanneMS,
Since you mentioned the honeymoon phase, I’m assuming that you were diagnosed recently. As you leave the honeymoon phase (sadly) you’ll start to notice the effects that different foods, particularly carbs, have on your blood sugar. I would recommend that you start looking at the carb count when you are checking the serving size, because you will want to learn how to count carbs as soon as you can. Can you let me know if you are on a pump, budgeting carbs at meals and taking the same daily doses, giving injections for meals and snacks? It’ll affect how I’d rate your snacks. I’m rating these assuming you’re taking 2-3 injections daily of the same set doses. So for your post request:
A) Nutritionally great option! As a tip, maybe check out info on the glycemic index, because it helps account for fast-acting and slow-acting carbs and can help with making good fruit choices. It’s complicated though, so be prepared. Apples and blueberries and bananas that aren’t too ripe are all better than higher-sugar options like pineapples and mangoes. As long as this snack isn’t causing a blood sugar spike I’d give it a 10/10. Prepare yourself emotionally though because as you leave the honeymoon phase the fruit will start to cause more of a spike, so adding a string cheese or nuts may be a good idea. Low GI fruits won’t affect your sugar as much as high GI fruits. 8/10 because adding some nuts or another form of protein would make it a more Diabetes-friendly snack.
B) 10/10, I’m copying you because that sounds delish!! Adding chicken would be good too, but ideally snacks shouldn’t be more than 200-250 calories (at least for my goals). The avocado and queso fresco add a good balance of fat and protein for the carbs in the veggies. Once your pancreas completely stops producing insulin, even spinach and vegetables will have some effect on your blood sugar, but I rarely bolus for less that 10 carbs. I like to pre-make baggies of sliced cucumber, bell pepper, or sugar snap peas as a very easy and low carb and nutritionally dense snack. Again, adding some string cheese, a few pepperonis, laughing cow cheese can make the carbs hit your system slower and smoother.
C) I haven’t ever tried these, and am too lazy too look up the exact nutritional info right now. They’re probably an ok option if you feel like you need something sweet, but I wouldn’t make it an everyday thing. I’d rate that 4/10 because even though there are fewer carbs I’m sure there are still some, and there isn’t really any nutritional value to the wafers. But, sometimes you just need something yummy and it doesn’t have to be full of protein, vitamins, or anything but yumminess!! Keep these around for those times, they sound like a much better option than most other naughty choices!! So if you want them, have them and don’t feel bad, but try to keep them from being a daily snack habit. Another slightly better sweet treat that is kinda similar would be graham crackers with peanut butter.
D) Same answer as above. Sometimes a good yogurt has more protein and has probiotics so nutritionally it can be a better choice if you want something sweet, but any of those would be fine. 5/10 for this one. But again, if you want one then have one and don’t feel bad at all because they’re a way better option than many ice cream or popsicle options.
D and E) As far as a snack for me, a Type 1 Diabetic for 16 years, I would give these snacks a 3/10. They’re not terrible, but there isn’t anything nutritious in them that your body really needs, and the carbs will cause blood sugar to spike. These are Better options than white crackers or movie theater popcorn, but not as good of a choice for a snack as celery with peanut butter, a handful of almonds, an apple or a pear would be: I get the Triscuits though, those things are delicious!! Luckily they are the best cracker option for us. I take a half-serving of Triscuits and have a few pepperoni slices and/or laughing cow cheese to slow down the blood sugar spike. Again, not super-nutritious, but it’s so good and filling and isn’t going to cause any harm. Popcorn…it’s lower in fat than chips or other popcorn, but it’s definitely fast-acting carb without much fiber or nutrition. But if you want it for a movie, you’re fine.
Remember you won’t ever be perfect, so don’t beat yourself up. Even as I look over your snacks I can totally see myself having any one of them, but it wouldn’t work for me for every day. For now, they’re all totally fine choices since you are in the honeymoon phase, but I rated them based on how I would eat snacks now. <3
