Post Workout Snacks When You Have Diabetes
Working out at least five times a week is an important part of any diabetes self-management plan, as well as choosing the right foods. These simple lifestyle habits can help people maintain better blood glucose control. Discover the best post workout snacks when you have diabetes.
The first step is to consult your health care team about what type of exercise id best and whether you should have a snack after working out. A post workout snack is often recommended for people who take insulin or diabetes medication. For example, if your blood glucose is less than 100 mg/dl after working out, your doctor might recommend having a post workout snack with carbohydrates, such as a piece of fresh fruit or
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Try to eat a regular meal more than 3 hours prior to working out to ensure you have enough time to digest. A good example is a serving of lean chicken, meat or fish with a small helping of brown rice or whole grain pasta plus green vegetables and fresh fruit. Drink fluids, such as 8 ounces of water, every hour before working out. If you have a snack before exercising, choose something light, such as a handful of nuts or berries.
Beneficial sources of protein after working out include seeds and nuts, sugar-free, low-salt nut butter on a whole grain cracker or a hard cooked egg. Carbohydrates can come from leafy, green vegetables, such as spinach, apples and bananas. A small salad with mixed greens, raspberries and slivered almonds, topped with sugar-free, fat free dressing, is a good choice. If you feel the urge for a sweet treat, consider sugar free desserts to relieve your cravings for sugar.
Work with your doctor to create a diabetes management plan that is based on the medications you take that include exercising and a food plan with regular meals and snacks. Consider consulting with a dietitian or diabetes nurse educator who can help you choose the right foods to eat before, during and after exercising. You may also want to work with a physical trainer or physical therapist to help you determine the ideal exercise