HEALTHY SNACKS

Having pre diabetes for years didn't quite get my attention as it should have.  I didn't allow it to.  I slacked off thinking  w e l p  being pre diabetic isn't diabetes yet sooooo I can fudge big time.   Continue continuing on as you were soldier.  I was rebellious and very stupid for playing it cool when I should have begun combatting this thang called PRE diabetes which almost always leads to diabetes.  Which happened to me.  

MY discipline was not used toward changing food substances until something clicked in my spirit after being told you are now diabetic and I changed.  Thank God I have changed.  What is actually in a food is taken into consideration these days.  Highly processed foods are toxic.  Not to be eaten.  Clean eating was something I ignored before.  Plant based foods were ignored.  Not anymore.  I'm paying attention.  If you don't pay attention, eat what ever and refuse to change, your body will fall apart.  Hello.    

The PERFECT STORM as some would say.  

I had blamed weight gain on not having a thyroid which causes weight gain along with taking meds that cause weight gain.  AND it happened.  PAUSE.  Then I find out that three of the medicines I was taking for high blood pressure cause weight gain and ELEVATES blood sugars. WHAT?  I didn't like the sound of that.  

I weaned off of one of the meds.  Blood pressure improved.  What?  This medicine I was taking made having a lower Blood Pressure more challenging.  It prevented the other two meds to lower my BP to a better reading.   What?  Now I am using nutrients, vitamins and minerals, lower sodium to improve my blood pressure.  My hope is that I will get off the other two meds in the near future for high blood pressure.  Working on that.  

Some medical doctors are using Co Q 10 three times a day to lower blood pressure instead of Hydrochlorothiazide also known as HCTZ or a water pill.   

BACK TO DIET AND DIABETES.  I wasn't aware of the harm too many carbohydrates in diet have on diabetics and those with pre diabetes. 

Rebellion.  Not wanting to change.  Ignorance.  Laziness.  At this point, name it and I'll claim it. In April 2021, I was informed by my physician that I was now DIABETIC.  Blood work will be done again in 4 months.  Something clicked and I changed gears.  I have now reduced 20 pounds since that day.

More to go and I am willing.  Early on I believe I gave up on losing weight when the slow weight began creeping up on me over a ten year period.  I was aware it was taking place and the attempts to lose weight didn't happen when my feet made it impossible to walk.  What I was stuffing in my mouth had an active part in this scenario.  Cutting back on starchy foods, carbs and sugars was the place I began.  

I am aware of portion control and how the plate portions should look along with low carbs.  Non-starchy vegetables should be the number one item that is pushed on portion control instead of grains.  How the food items are produced, prepared and sold should matter.  The added ingredients in processed foods came to light.  Knowing what those long words are that are listed in the ingredients is necessary.  You do not have to have a college degree to be well informed about the ingredients and what they really are instead of disguised by a lengthy name.  This doesn't have to scare you off.  No longer the blind leading the blind.  Shine a light on this and be healthier.      

Researching and reading continues as the items in the shopping cart change.  Food prep has changed.  Carbs have been lowered.  Now I am tuning into HEALTHIER SNACKS that almost everyone can do including me. 

CHECK THESE HEALTHY SNACKS OUT FOR DIABETES:

ALMONDS: Handful of almonds.

APPLES: Apple slices with peanut butter.

AVOCADO: Avocado is great by itself or on toast.

BEEF: Grass-fed beef sticks

BITES: No-Bake Energy Bites

BLACK BEAN SALAD: Cooked Black Beans combined with chopped vegetables such as onions and peppers tossed with vinaigrette dressing makes a great salad which will help your blood sugars from spiking and help lower insulin levels after a meal.  

CHICKPEAS: Roasted chickpeas.

COTTAGE CHEESE: If you chose regular cottage cheese rather than reduced-fat varieties, you'll also take advantage of the blood-sugar lowering properties of fat.

CHEESE and CRACKERS: Whole Grain Crackers

CELERY: Peanut Butter Celery Sticks.  Peanut butter provides protein and aded fiber while celery provides antioxidants called flavones.  Helps with weight management and lowering blood sugar levels.

CHIA SEEDS: Chia Seed Pudding made with chia seeds and milk.

EDAMAME: Edamame are unripe soybeans.  May help lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin resistance.

EGGS: Egg Muffins.  Mixed eggs (provides protein) with vegetables (provides fiber) then pour into muffin tins and bake.  Helps keep blood sugar stable.

EGGS: Hard-boiled eggs.  

POPCORN: Air-popped Popcorn is one of the best snacks for a diabetic.  Low in calories, high in fiber.

PROTEIN BARS: Homemade Protein Bars.

TRAIL MIX: A reasonable serving of Trail Mix made with seeds, nuts and dried fruit is a handful.  Go easy on this as it is high in calories and the fruit is high in sugar.

TUNA: Tuna is high in omega-3 fatty acids with the potential of lowering inflammation and improve blood sugar control.  Tuna Salad can be made with celery, onion and mayo.  Using cottage cheese or yogurt instead of mayo is a healthy option.

TURKEY: Turkey roll-ups.

VEGETABLES: Vegetables with chickpea hummus.

YOGURT: Greek Yogurt with berries.

Now, I will chow down on healthy.

BLESSINGS,

👵d