The #1 Snack to Help Lower Blood Sugar, According to a Dietitian (2024)

This snack makes reducing your diabetes risk a delicious endeavor.

By

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

The #1 Snack to Help Lower Blood Sugar, According to a Dietitian (1)

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, is nutrition editor for EatingWell. She is a registered dietitian with a master's in food, nutrition and sustainability. In addition toEatingWell, her work has appeared inFood & Wine,Real Simple,Parents,Better Homes and GardensandMyRecipes.

Updated on January 11, 2023

Reviewed by Dietitian

Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia

The #1 Snack to Help Lower Blood Sugar, According to a Dietitian (2)

Reviewed by DietitianMaria Laura Haddad-Garcia

Maria Laura is EatingWell's senior nutrition & news editor. As part of the nutrition team, she edits and assigns nutrition-related content and provides nutrition reviews for articles. Maria Laura is a trained dietitian, almond butter lover and food enthusiast with over seven years of experience in nutrition counseling.

Though you might have heard the phrase before, you might not be as familiar with how blood sugar works. After you eat or drink anything that contains calories, your body breaks down the food into simple glucose molecules. This is the form of energy that all of the cells in your body can use, and the hormone insulin acts like a key to allow glucose to get into our cells. To get the energy to your cells, glucose must travel through your blood, hence the term "blood glucose" (often referred to as blood sugar since glucose is a simple sugar molecule). Therefore, after you eat, your blood sugar will go up. And if your body runs out of glucose from that meal, your blood sugar will fall. This is natural and happens in all of our bodies.

Certain foods can affect our blood sugar levels more than others. For example, foods high in simple or added sugars like soda, candy and highly processed foods can lead to a sharp increase in blood sugar that quickly burns up and falls just as rapidly. Consistent steep spikes and falls of blood glucose can make it harder and harder for the body to produce insulin. Without enough insulin, our blood glucose can be dangerously high, damaging cells. This is what can lead to type 2 diabetes over time.

The #1 Snack to Help Lower Blood Sugar, According to a Dietitian (3)

Luckily for all of us, several foods can help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels. But there is one food that stands alone as the best snack for lower blood sugar: nuts. Nuts are delicious, nutritious and incredibly versatile as far as snack foods go. Plus, they can be stored at room temperature (or in the freezer for longer periods) and are great for grab-and-go snacks.

Different types of nuts have slightly different nutrition profiles, but there are some health benefits that they all share. Nuts are excellent sources of plant-based protein and are high in healthy fats and fiber, making them super filling. Research, such as a 2018 study published in Oncotarget, has found that the combination of healthy fat, protein and fiber in nuts slows down their digestion and, as a result, stabilizes blood sugar response. Nuts are also good sources of vitamins and nutrients like vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, folate, vitamin B6 and more. Other studies have found that even for people who have diabetes, snacking on about two ounces of nuts daily can improve blood sugar control and lower chronic disease risk.

There are many ways to enjoy this super healthy snack today and reap the benefits. For starters, you can bring a bag of mixed nuts on the go for variety in flavor and texture (try to choose unsalted nuts to help keep your sodium intake in check). If you're feeling more creative and have some extra time, try making one of our homemade spiced nuts recipes like Pizza Pistachios and Rosemary-Garlic Pecans. This will help you use antioxidant-rich spices to amp up the flavor and customize your snacks to your liking.

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The #1 Snack to Help Lower Blood Sugar, According to a Dietitian (2024)

FAQs

What is the number one snack to lower blood sugar? ›

But there is one food that stands alone as the best snack for lower blood sugar: nuts. Nuts are delicious, nutritious and incredibly versatile as far as snack foods go. Plus, they can be stored at room temperature (or in the freezer for longer periods) and are great for grab-and-go snacks.

What is the one food that lowers blood sugar? ›

1. Legumes. Studies have shown that protein-rich legumes can help reduce your blood sugar response to meals you eat later in the day. There's also evidence that following a low-GI diet rich in legumes may reduce blood sugar levels for people with type 2 diabetes and improve blood sugar control.

What is the #1 nutrient to lower blood sugar levels according to a diabetic expert? ›

The Bottom Line

When managing your blood sugar, fiber is the nutrient of choice. While it helps prevent sugar spikes and crashes by slowing the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, fiber also aids in reducing visceral fat, a known risk factor for insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar levels.

What is the number one snack to buy at Target to lower blood pressure? ›

The Bottom Line

One of the best snacks at Target is Good & Gather's Organic Unsweetened Dried Kiwi. Teeming with potassium, fiber and powerful plant compounds, dried kiwi is a great option not only for its blood pressure benefits but also for its potential to lower your overall risk of cardiovascular disease.

What is the one fruit that lowers blood sugar? ›

A study in Obesity found that as the number of raspberries eaten increased, insulin resistance decreased. Other studies suggest combining berries with or following starch-heavy meals can also lower blood sugar.

What super food lowers blood sugar? ›

According to the Diabetes Plate , non-starchy vegetables should make up half of your meal.
  • Dark green leafy vegetables.
  • Avocado.
  • Beans, Dried Peas, & Legumes.
  • Fish High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
  • Nuts.
  • Berries.
  • Citrus Fruit.
  • Whole Grains.

What brings sugar down immediately? ›

The quickest way to lower your blood sugar is to take fast-acting insulin. Exercising is another fast, effective way. However, in severe cases, you should go to the hospital.

What foods lower blood sugar overnight? ›

Other options include:
  • A sugar-free frozen pop.
  • One light cheese stick.
  • One tablespoon of peanut butter (15 grams) and celery.
  • A hard-boiled egg.
  • Five baby carrots.
  • Light popcorn, 3/4 cup (approximately 6 grams)
  • Salad greens with cucumber and a drizzle of oil and vinegar.

How can I flush sugar out of my system fast? ›

Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels. And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more.

What vitamin brings down blood sugar? ›

Vitamin D supplementation may be beneficial in reducing fasting blood sugar, HbA1c (a three-month blood sugar average) and HOMA-IR scores (a measurement of insulin resistance) in people with type 2 diabetes and vitamin D deficiency, according to both Dr. Kumar and Davis.

How much cinnamon to take daily to lower blood sugar? ›

How much should you take? Cinnamon's benefits for lowering blood sugar are well-researched. Despite this, there isn't a consensus on how much you should consume to reap the potential benefits while avoiding potential risks. Most research has studied the effects of 1 to 6 g per day.

What drink lowers blood sugar? ›

Drinking water is an excellent way to stay hydrated without consuming sugar. Green tea, cow's milk, and fermented milk (kefir) could also help you manage your blood sugar responses. Coffee also contains compounds that may help regulate blood sugar, but confirming this requires more research.

What snack does not spike blood sugar? ›

Certain foods, such as leafy greens, whole grains, eggs, and nuts, will not raise blood sugar as much as other foods and can help lower a person's long-term fasting glucose levels.

What is the one breakfast drink that lowers your blood pressure? ›

1. Low-Fat or Nonfat Milk. Raise your glass to milk. It's high in phosphorus, potassium and calcium—three nutrients associated with healthy blood pressure—and it's fortified with vitamin D, a vitamin that promotes healthy blood pressure.

What is the number 1 fruit to lower blood pressure? ›

The top fruits for lowering blood pressure include bananas, apples, pears, apricots, grapes, raisins, kiwis, mangoes, watermelon, pomegranate, plums, prunes, avocado, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, tomatoes, citrus fruit, berries, and more.

What drink at bedtime lowers blood sugar? ›

Drinking water is an excellent way to stay hydrated without consuming sugar. Green tea, cow's milk, and fermented milk (kefir) could also help you manage your blood sugar responses. Coffee also contains compounds that may help regulate blood sugar, but confirming this requires more research.

How can I bring my blood sugar down asap? ›

The quickest way to lower your blood sugar is to take fast-acting insulin. Exercising is another fast, effective way. However, in severe cases, you should go to the hospital.

What can I eat before bed to lower my morning blood sugar? ›

Other options include:
  • A sugar-free frozen pop.
  • One light cheese stick.
  • One tablespoon of peanut butter (15 grams) and celery.
  • A hard-boiled egg.
  • Five baby carrots.
  • Light popcorn, 3/4 cup (approximately 6 grams)
  • Salad greens with cucumber and a drizzle of oil and vinegar.

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