Low blood sugar seems to strike at the worst possible moments! We’ve all been there. And as moms, we face even more unique challenges in regard to managing our blood sugar such as unpredictable schedules, prioritizing our kids’ needs over our own, and lack of time for self-care.
This is where the Importance of quick, easy, and effective low blood sugar snacks come in. Forget the peanut butter or the Life Savers that your dietitian from 1985 recommended, we need convenient snacks to treat lows effectively on hand at all times (bonus if they are healthy, too)!
Let’s explore some tips for preventing low blood sugar and a list of my favorite low blood sugar snacks.
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Importance of Blood Sugar Monitoring
First of all, monitoring your blood sugar regularly, especially before, during, and after physical activity is incredibly important. Using a CGM is a great way to help predict the direction of your blood sugar so you can hopefully prevent extreme highs or lows before they happen.
Before getting a CGM, I was easily checking my blood sugar 8-10 times daily. I can’t imagine life now without my Dexcom. If you don’t have a CGM, I highly recommend considering it. Your fingertips will thank you.
Tips for Prevention of Low Blood Sugar
There are a few things that you can keep in mind to help prevent a low blood sugar in the first place.
First, make sure to stash snacks everywhere – in your car, purse, diaper bag, bedside table, etc. If you are currently breastfeeding, this is even more important. Breastfeeding can lower your blood sugar so make sure to have snacks on hand within arms reach while nursing.
Obviously nobody’s schedule is exactly the same from day to day, however, it’s helpful to try to eat meals at consistent times. While we don’t typically push keto or low carb, eating lower carb meals (ideally around 30ish grams per meal) can also help prevent lows since you will need less insulin to cover the carbs, which means less risk of a low later on.
If your blood sugar is not low, but you have a feeling it may be headed that way, try to have a snack with some protein, healthy fats, and/or complex carbs. Something like whole grain crackers with peanut butter or a small apple with cheese would work well.
If possible, exercising in a fasted state is also helpful for low blood sugar prevention. When you exercise with insulin on board, the effects of the insulin is much stronger and can lead to low blood sugar, especially if doing something like steady-state cardio. If you will be exercising after eating, consider reducing the amount of insulin you take at the meal prior. Ginger Viera’s Book about Exercise with Type 1 Diabetes is a great resource with more in depth information about this topic!
The Rule of 15
Even if we do everything just right to try to prevent low blood sugar, the reality is that it will still happen from time to time. When low blood sugar strikes, keep the Rule of 15 in mind.
This simple guideline recommends consuming 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates to quickly raise your blood sugar levels. After 15 minutes, check in with yourself. If you’re still experiencing low blood sugar symptoms, have another 15-gram serving of fast acting carbs.
This method helps you get your blood sugar back on track without overdoing it.
The 13 Best Low Blood Sugar Snacks
Now let’s get to why you are reading this article – the list of the best low blood sugar snacks! All of these options are fast acting, shelf stable, and easy to bring on the go. Bonus – most are also available on Amazon!
- Mini boxes of raisins (31 grams carb)
- GoGo SqueeZ Applesauce pouches (15 grams carb)
- Mini Clif Bars (18 grams carb)
- Maple syrup packets (26 grams carb)
- Honey packets (12 grams carb)
- That’s It Mini Fruit Bars (12 grams carb)
- Stretch Island Fruit Leathers (11 grams carb)
- Pure Organics Fruit Bars (15 grams carb)
- Transcend Glucose Gels (15 grams carb)
- Fruit Snacks (19 grams carb)
- Juice Boxes – I prefer the small 4 oz Juicy Juice ones (15 grams carb)
- Real Fruit such as a banana, apple, or clementine (carbs vary)
- Leftover Halloween Candy – Fun size Smarties, Twizzlers, Skittles, or Sour Patch Kids work great! (Carbs vary)
Conclusion
Managing diabetes and effectively treating low blood sugar is possible with a little planning and the right tools. Make sure to keep low blood sugar snacks on hand at all times so you are prepared when your blood sugar drops.
Feel free to share your favorite low blood sugar treatment in the comments below and make sure to download our on-the-go guide to the best low blood sugar snacks!