When it comes snacking on a low GI diet, you want something that is quick to make, quick to eat and more importantly delicious. There are a number of choices available to you on the market today that are low enough on the glycemic index to enable you to snack and keep your blood sugars normal if you have diabetes etc.
The first food that is a good choice for a snack as well as for a meal is the use of oats. Porridge oats are low enough on the index and are a very healthy choice because they don't just offer you fibre but also offer carbohydrates. For this reason, you are able to have the best of both worlds without harming a diet or your sugar levels. Porridge oats eaten early in the morning will level out your blood sugar, which if starts off too high can leave you sluggish and tired during the day. If you are someone who likes to have your oats sweet, you may want to consider the use of artificial sweeteners rather than using sugar or honey. By simply adding extra fibre to your oats by using fresh fruits such as berries (blueberries have amazing health benefits on their own so are always a top choice) or a banana, you are able to stay fuller for longer time periods.
The second choice that you might want to consider for a snack is the humble orange. Many individuals believe that watermelons being full of "water" are better for you when the reality is that oranges are actually better... Eating the orange compared to actually drinking the juice which is also low on the index is preferred here as it's the bulk that makes you fuller for longer rather than the liquid. That considered, other fruits which are also low and ideal for snacking are: apples, bananas, plums, peaches and pears. All of these can also cure your sweet craving which is a bonus too.
The third food that qualifies as a low GI snack is popcorn. Popcorn is a whole grain which contains more fibre than plain crisps and ice cream, so stops the hunger quicker. Popcorn is low in fat, low in sugar, and some would argue low in flavour without the lashings of caramel, chocolate or salt, but it's not. Lightly spray the popcorn with low fat spray and then sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, or an artificial sweetener if you like it sweet, or seasonings such as garlic powder, chili powder, paprika etc if you like it savoury. Just because it's healthy doesn't mean it doesn't taste great! Just remember when you are eating popcorn is to avoid shop bought which is usually high in salt or sugar as well as butter. Simply make your popcorn and enjoy it the GI way.
The fourth of our snack foods are peanuts. Peanuts are low on the chart being a legume (as it splits in 2 pieces) and not really a nut as say a macadamia nut (which is one whole piece). Peanuts are not only low on the glycemic index, but they have other terrific benefits such as being full of vitamin E which has been reported as being an anti-oxidant that can reduce the risk of cancer, as well as being a good source of Coenzyme Q10 which protects the heart if you suffer from clogged arteries. Peanuts are not just high in fibre but are also high in protein and high in mono-unsaturated fat which is reported to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease as well. They can be higher calorie laden so as all foods - moderation is the key. We aren't however talking about salted peanuts, but rather fresh plain peanuts.
The last snack that will help you to keep those blood sugars on target and are on the lower end of the glycemic index chart is a small salad. You can find small salads in the stores as well as making your own salad to take with you to work or school. Get together some lettuce, tomato, peppers and add to that some quinoa with vinaigrette dressing and you have a quality salad. If you choose to add some meat to your salad always choose lean pork or beef as this will help with the amount of protein that you are ingesting. You can add eggs, cheese, vegetables and more to your salad which will help to keep you full for longer time periods. When using a dressing for your salad, choose oils or vinegar but if you must have dressing, make sure you choose one that is low in calories.
Hopefully that has given you some ideas for Low GI snack foods and will encourage you to eat more healthily utilising this method as I have at Lose Weight Be Slim [http://www.loseweightbeslim.com].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jacqueline_Turner
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