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Snack Ideas for Kids with Diabetes

snack ideas for kids with diabetes

Controlling diabetes is impossible without a good meal plan. Since the main issue of this illness is the inability to transfer fuel into energy, you need to find ways to provide enough fuel to keep your organism going and keep sugar levels as normal as possible. In such cases, portion control is crucial for optimum functioning and preventing hyperglycemia. Ideally, kids with diabetes should have three meals a day, with 2-3 snacks in between. Keeping the meals moderate and adding small snacks every couple of hours will help you get it under control. Having 10 -15 grams of carbohydrates, healthy fats, and proteins can help you achieve that goal. Luckily, there are many snack ideas for kids with diabetes that will make their strict dietary regimen fun and tasty!

The healthiest snacks for diabetes are the simplest ones

The main purpose of any snack is to be able to consume it on the go. In addition, it needs to provide a necessary kick start to your system between main meals and get sugar levels under control. You don’t need to spend hours preparing them in the kitchen or worry about serving them hot and cold. However, you need to make sure the snacks have quality ingredients with a low glycemic index and some protein value. Naturally, they need to be low in sugar and, if possible, have some healthy fats. The best type of snack is a combination of:

  •  Vegetables: lettuce, spinach, eggplant, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, snow peas, etc.
  • Fruits: cherry, plum, peach, pear, kiwi, orange, grapefruit, apples, and most berries.
  • Lean meats: lamb, veal, pork, poultry without the skin, fish, or most processed meats with less than a gram of fat per ounce.
  • Nuts: peanuts, walnuts, pistachios, almonds, cashews.
  • Yogurts and cheeses: Greek yogurt, Icelandic yogurt, non-salty cheese in mindful portions.
diverse snacks for people with diabetes
People with diabetes can consume most of the food as long as they’re being rational with portioning.

How to make healthy snacks fun?

Remember when you were a kid, and your parents made you eat healthy vegetables? It wasn’t much fun, was it? Your children probably share the same opinion. Therefore, you’ll need to get creative in motivating them to eat the right kinds of snacks. Some of the things you can do are:

  1. Dip the fruit bits in dark chocolate – every kid loves chocolate, even if it has low sugar content.
  2. Be creative with the vegetable mix – arranging them in a fun way or making the food colorful might be appealing to your kid.
  3. Make perfect bites – combine different healthy snacks in tiny arrangements.
  4. Ask your kids about their favorite ingredients – mix them up with less preferred eats to achieve a good balance and make it easy on your kid.

Another great way to interest your kid in snacks is to prepare them together! Every child loves projects, and their mind is bursting with creativity and smart ideas. Thus, give your little one a chance to prepare the food independently. All you need to do is observe or equally participate, providing occasional guidance when mixing ingredients. This is an excellent way of helping kids engage with food. In addition, learning how to make simple snacks and meals will teach them independence early.

a mother and children trying healthy snacks for kids with diabetes
There is nothing more important for your child than spending quality moments with the family.

Avoid forcing them to eat food they dislike

Stress is the main trigger for diabetes in kids. Being exposed to traumatic events or changes in the environment, like relocation to another home, can significantly impact your child’s health, triggering or causing diabetes. Thus, you need to help them adapt after the move and give them time to process all the changes. It might be challenging to inspire your child to eat fully healthy food at first, but today there are many tasty diabetes-friendly products that your kids will love.

Some of the favorite snack ideas for kids with diabetes

Yogurt with berries and nuts

One of the quickest and most delicious mixes there is. Simply mix an Icelandic or Greek yogurt with a handful of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or any type of berries your kid prefers. Add some chopped nuts, stir it up, and you’ll have the perfect healthy snack that you can also use instead of breakfast or a dessert.

The combination of active probiotic cultures from yogurt and proteins from berries and nuts will be great for your kid’s digestion. Moreover, it will provide enough energy to keep the right glucose levels in the system.

Chia seed pudding

Chia seeds do wonders for the metabolism because they are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, magnesium, and fibers. If used often, they can also serve as a powerful antioxidant. That being said, introducing chia seeds into your kid’s diet will bring many benefits.

Mix half a cup of chia seeds, 1/3 of a cup of cocoa powder, and a pinch of sea salt. Afterward, add one and a half cups of almond milk and stir it well until all the ingredients are blended. Leave it in the fridge for a few hours, or preferably overnight.

Homemade protein bars

Making your energy-rich sweets is very easy! And all you need is some chopped peanuts, half a cup of coconut flour, 1/4 of a low-carb vanilla protein powder, a teaspoon of Stevia, a cup of natural peanut butter, and 1/4 cup of sugar-free syrup. First, merge peanut butter with syrup and heat it for 2 minutes in the microwave, mixing until it evenly blends. After, add the dry ingredients – coconut flour, Stevia, and protein.

If the dough becomes too thick, add more syrup. However, if the mix is too wet, fix it with more coconut flour. When you achieve an optimum blend, press the batter onto the pan. Lastly, sprinkle it with chopped peanuts, and refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving. 

a gluten-free cookie and milk
No child will resist a good cookie! With diabetes-friendly sweets, you just need to be more creative with the ingredients.

Naturally, if you prefer trying out some old-school sugar-free cookie recipes instead, you certainly won’t disappoint your kid. 

Conclusion

These snack ideas for kids with diabetes can help you control the illness and make it easier for your kids. However, even though the dietary regime is consistent for diabetes, not everyone will have the same benefits. To be safe, consider your dietitian’s recommendation and approval of certain ingredients because there is more than one factor to consider when finding out what works best.

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5 Simple Sugar-Free Cookie Recipes

try out these delicious and healthy sugar-free cookie recipes

by Jassica Mendez

If you’re looking for some healthy yet delicious cookie recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Cookies are an all-time favorite food for many people. After all, we all need a bit of extra energy or a comforting snack from time to time. These tasty treats come in a lot of flavors and variations. Not to mention that making them doesn’t require a lot of time and effort. But what about health and fitness? Classic cookie recipes often contain a lot of calories and ingredients that are not beneficial to your overall health. And the first such ingredient that comes to mind is sugar. Luckily, they can be as tasty without it. Here are some excellent sugar-free cookie recipes!

Is white sugar really bad for health?

A short and simple answer is yes. While it adds that sweet, delicious taste we all love, more and more studies show that it is very detrimental to our health. Opinions range widely – from calling it the ‘white poison’ to thinking a moderate use is okay. However, its consumption is certainly linked to many health conditions. Apart from negatively affecting our immune system, it is also connected to obesity, diabetes, and heart diseases.

Luckily, cookies can be as delicious without sugar. So, without further ado, here are five delightful sugar-free cookie recipes!

sugar-free cookies are both healthy and tasty
Luckily, there are many alternative sweeteners you can use instead of sugar.

Pistachio Shortbread

If you’re looking to renew your vow to be healthy, this lovely dessert is a great choice. These keto, low-carb cookies are perfect when you’re craving something sweet and healthy!

  • Ingredients:
  • 3/4 cup almond flour
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1/4 cup and 3tbsp. oat fiber
  • 5 tbsp. granulated sweetener
  • 5 tbsp. chopped roasted salted pistachios
  • 1/4 tsp. gum thickener
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 large egg
  • 1tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions:

First, in a small bowl, sift all the dry ingredients together. Then, mix the melted butter, half of the dry ingredients, and vanilla in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Mix in the egg, then the other half of the dry ingredients, and fold in pistachios. Roll the dough into a 5″ long and 2″ wide tube.

The dough needs to spend about 30 minutes in the freezer, so roll it up into the parchment paper and leave it there. Once it’s out, put it on a cutting board and cut it into 1/3″ rounds. Bake them in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes. Leave them to cool a bit (for at least 20 minutes), and they’re ready for tasting!

Sugar-free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Is there anyone who doesn’t enjoy a bite of chocolate now and then? If that’s the case with you, this is one of the best sugar-free cookie recipes for you.

  • Ingredients:
  • 4 tbsp. butter
  • 3 tbsp. grounded flaxmeal
  • 1 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1/2 cup powdered sweetener
  • 3 tbsp. water
  • 1/2 cup sugar-free chocolate chips
  • 1/2 tbsp. baking soda
  • a pinch of salt

Instructions:

Preheat your oven and line a baking tray with baking paper. If you’re using granulated sweetener, mix it in a blender until it’s powdered. Then, combine butter and sweetener in a large bowl. Add other ingredients – flour, flax, water, and baking soda. Stir them together until you get even dough. Lastly, fold in chocolate chips, so they’re evenly distributed throughout.

Form the dough into cookies and place them into the baking tray. Bake them in the preheated oven (325F) for about 15-20 minutes, depending on how you like them. Leave them to cool for about 10 minutes, and Voila! Your delicious chocolate chip cookies are ready!

chocolate chip cookies are a delicious classic
Chocolate chip cookies are one of the best sugar-free cookie recipes -they’re both delicious and healthy

Keto Breakfast Cookies

If you need some fresh breakfast ideas, this keto sugar-free cookie recipe is an ideal solution.

  • Ingredients:
  • 2 tbsp. coconut flour
  • 1 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 2/3 cup granulated sweetener
  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup shelled hemp seeds
  • 1tsp. vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. baking powder

Instructions:

Flatten them with your fingers and place them into the baking tray. After that, bake them in the oven until the bottom turns golden brown (for about 13 minutes). Finally, let them cool down completely and enjoy your delicious breakfast!

Almond Crescent Cookies

If you’re looking for an all-around delicious and healthy cookie recipe, you should try almond crescent cookies. Not only are they sugar-free and delicious, but they also contain one of the high-fiber foods – almonds! High-fiber foods such as nuts, berries, and apples will work wonders for your digestive tract. Plus, they can reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. So, if you want to eat more fiber, you can start with making these cookies!

berries and nuts are very healthy
You can use fiber-high foods in many recipes – including cookies!

Caption: You can use fiber-high foods in many recipes – including cookies!

Alt.tag: berries and nuts are very healthy

  • Ingredients:
  • 3 3/4 almond flour
  • 1/2 coconut flour
  • 1 cup softened butter
  • 1 1/4 cup granulated sweetener
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • powdered sweetener for coating
  • sliced almonds for coating (about one cup)

Instructions:

Beat butter, salt, and sweetener in a bowl until it all blends nicely. Then add extracts and beat them well. After that, add all the other ingredients and blend them all thoroughly. Form the logs about 3″ long and roll them in the sliced almonds. Shape the logs into crescents and bake them for about 10-15 minutes in a preheated oven (350F). When they cool down, sprinkle them with powdered sweetener and enjoy these tasty high-fiber cookies!

Oatmeal Sugar-Free Cookies

If you enjoy oatmeal breakfast, these cookies are a perfect variation for you. Apart from the fact they’re delicious, they’re also diabetes-friendly and easy to make.

  • Ingredients:
  • 4 oz unsalted softened butter
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup sweetener
  • 2 tbsp. oat fiber
  • 2 tsp. beef gelatin
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 1/2 cup sliced almonds
  • 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. baking soda

Instructions:

Firstly, cream the butter, sweetener, and vanilla extract. Then, add all the other ingredients and beat them well together. Add an egg into it and combine it all well. After that, fold in sliced almonds and shape the dough into cookies. Bake them in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes. Finally, let them cool completely, and they’re ready for tasting!

Combine healthy and tasty and try out these wonderful cookie recipes.

I hope you’ll enjoy these sugar-free cookie recipes. Not only are they delicious and indulgent, but also healthy and diabetes-friendly. Since they’re all sugar-free and low on carbs, they’re a great choice whether you want to improve your diet or enjoy the taste. These lovely recipes will deliver all the taste while at the same time leaving your health intact!

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Leftover Oatmeal Muffins

oatmeal muffins

Oatmeal On Mondays

We often have leftover oatmeal and I kept wondering what to do with it. See, my family and I took the pledge to do Meatless Mondays. We are challenging ourselves to eat more fruits and vegetables and less meat.

To keep us on track, I make oatmeal for breakfast every Monday. This tradition began because I couldn’t think of any other breakfast that didn’t include eggs. However, after tense debate, eggs are not considered meat in our household anymore.

Although everyone loves oatmeal, we often end up with at least a cup leftovers. I felt bad about throwing it in the trash, so I decided to reuse it and make what our family calls leftover oatmeal muffins. We eat them for breakfast or in lieu of cornbread at dinner.

Ingredients
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup left over oatmeal
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup melted butter

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl. You can use a blender but my oatmeal usually has raisins in it and I like to keep them whole so I mix by hand.

Spray a muffin pan and spoon in batter by the tablespoon. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until muffins bounce back when you touch them. It makes one batch in a 12 muffin pan. I have replaced half the brown sugar and butter with a 1/2 cup of applesauce or a banana and that adds moisture and more fruit.

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Healthy Pasta Primavera

Healthy Pasta Primavera

pasta

My husband loves pasta! If he could he’d eat pasta for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Over the years I have tried various recipes in effort to find a healthy pasta dish that my husband would love that won’t send me into a diabetic coma. So with a few modifications to the traditional pasta primavera this is what I came up with. Try it and let me know what you think.

 

Ingredients
12 ounces whole wheat or rice angel hair pasta
1 small yellow squash sliced
1 small zucchini sliced
2 carrots chopped
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 small onion sliced
1/2 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 tablespoons of minced garlic
15-20 cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste
Italian Seasoning

 

Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs.
Meanwhile, heat 1/4 the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until just golden, about 30 seconds. Add all the remaining vegetables, 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning and salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the carrots soften, about 2 minutes.
Drain the pasta and pour the vegetable mixture over the pasta. Add parmesan cheese and more olive oil if desired.