TOP 5 Low Blood Sugar Snacks for Diabetics

Living with diabetes is not an easy feat, and one of the most challenging aspects of it is dealing with low blood sugar. It can be frustrating and dangerous, especially when it strikes in the middle of the night. 

Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia as when the concentration of sugar in the bloodstream falls below the amount that the body needs to optimally run. Typically, hypoglycemia is classified when blood sugar levels are under 70 mg/dL, and moderate to severe hypoglycemia can occur when levels are under 55 mg/dL. Symptoms of low blood sugar can include sweating, feeling starving like you’re gonna eat everything, shaky, confusion, and anxiety.

Many common snacks are regarded as junk food - however, in some situations, those snacks are the BEST for treating low blood sugars. Lets go through some foods that are good for keeping your blood sugar levels under control. 

Candy corn

While some people may not like the taste of candy corn, its high sugar and corn syrup content makes it an ideal snack for quickly raising blood sugar levels.

Juice or Gatorade

Because it is a liquid, it is already broken down and sugar will hit your bloodstream real quick. Additionally, juice or Gatorade is super convenient, you can buy it almost everywhere and it is easy to carry around. 

Glucose tablets

Glucose tabs are chewable tablets.  They are a quick and practical option to increase low blood sugar levels. While a snack or sugary drink can also help with low blood sugar levels, glucose tablets work faster and more effectively. One of the biggest advantages of glucose tablets is that they are already in a measured quantity. Taking three or four tablets gives you the 15 g of carbohydrates typically needed to bring your blood sugar levels back to their target range.

Graham Crackers

There are times when we may prefer to consume actual food rather than a sugary drink or snack. In these situations, a food like Graham crackers can be a reasonable option. However, it's important to keep in mind that Graham crackers are made from enriched flour and can still cause a spike in blood sugar levels, especially if consumed in large quantities.  With the juice and gatorade, it’s already been broken down and is going to be absorbed super fast but for Graham crackers, which is an actual food, is going to take slightly longer to break down because your body needs to digest it. That being said, as long as you’re going to be patient and wait till it kicks in, this can be a good option.

Peanut butter

If you’re concerned about rebound low, peanut butter is a good option to supplement with your low snack. The fat and protein content in peanut butter can help stabilize blood sugar levels. Peanut butter is a good source of healthy fats and protein, which can slow down the digestion of carbohydrates and prevent blood sugar spikes after meals. When you eat carbohydrates, your body breaks them down into glucose, which enters the bloodstream and causes a rise in blood sugar levels. However, when you eat protein and fat along with carbohydrates, they slow down the digestion and absorption of glucose, which can help keep blood sugar levels stable.

Overall, the best snack or food choice for managing blood sugar levels will depend on individual needs and preferences. If you want to work with one of our dietitians to develop a personalized plan for managing blood sugar levels and to make informed choices about food and beverage consumption, let us know!