Fact or Fiction? Eating a Handful of Nuts Can Help Balance Your Blood Sugar Levels
This is Fact.
Nuts have long been touted as a healthy snack, and for good reason. They are packed with essential nutrients, including fiber, healthy fats, and protein. But did you know that eating a handful of nuts can also help regulate your blood sugar levels?
How Nuts Help Balance Blood Sugar:
- Fibre: Nuts are a good source of fiber, which helps slow down the digestion of carbohydrates. This prevents your blood sugar from spiking too high after a meal.
- Healthy Fats: The healthy fats in nuts, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, can also help regulate blood sugar levels. These fats can help you feel full and satisfied, reducing the likelihood of overeating and subsequent blood sugar spikes.
- Protein: Nuts also contain protein, which can help stabilize blood sugar levels by slowing down digestion.
Which Nuts Are Best for Blood Sugar Control?
While all nuts are beneficial for your health, some may be slightly better for blood sugar control than others. Almonds, walnuts, and pecans are all excellent choices. However, it's important to note that portion control is key. Too many nuts can still lead to weight gain and other health problems.
Incorporating Nuts into Your Diet:
There are many ways to enjoy nuts as a healthy snack. You can eat them plain, add them to salads or yogurt, or use them as a topping for oatmeal or smoothies. Here's a recipe that we enjoy at home during the Halloween season. I'm sure you'll love it, too!
Spooky Spider Web Snack Mix
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted almonds, chopped
- 1 cup pumpkin seeds, roasted
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine almonds, pumpkin seeds, cranberries, and chocolate chips.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together honey, coconut oil, and vanilla.
- Pour the honey mixture over the dry ingredients and toss until well coated.
- Spread the mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let it set in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Break the mixture into pieces and arrange them on a serving platter to resemble spider webs.
Nutrition per serving (about 1/4 cup):
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 39.05g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fibre: 4g
- Protein: 7g
Enjoy!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Ac., C.H., RDH
Dr. Holistic Studies, Dr. Acupuncture
Diabetes Wellness Strategist & Coach
Creator & CEO of Holistic Diabetes Solutions
8 X International Best-Selling Author
As a woman living with diabetes for over 30 years, Dr. Cheryl understands the journey firsthand. When she was diagnosed, she received the same outdated advice her grandmother was given for over four decades, who relied primarily on medication, suffered from deteriorating health and eventually lost her life to diabetes. Fueled by this experience, Dr. Cheryl was compelled to seek a better way. Through countless research studies and trials, she developed the winning holistic approach: the Diabetes Success System which merges traditional wisdom with today’s best holistic self-care practices. It has revolutionized diabetes management by providing a trusted way to maintain consistent and predictable healthy blood sugar levels.
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PROFESSIONAL DISCLAIMER
The material and content contained in this platform is for overall general diabetes health and education information only. It is not intended to constitute medical advice or to be a substitution for professional medical recommendations, diagnosis or treatment. All specific medical questions or changes you make to your medication and/or lifestyle should be discussed and addressed with your primary healthcare provider. Having the right mindset, doing the right movements at the right times of day, and eating foods that help keep blood sugar, insulin, and inflammation manageable can dramatically reduce your risk of the all-too-common complications of Diabetes, increase your energy levels and have you feeling your best every day.