Managing diabetes and fuelling an active lifestyle can be difficult, especially if you’re not sure what to look out for when buying healthy snacks like protein bars. To make things easier, we’ve identified 3 protein bars that diabetics can eat. These are:
- KIND Protein Bar Dark Chocolate Nut
- Nature Valley Protein Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate
- KETO Collective Cherry Bakewell
Diabetes is a lifelong condition which causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 is where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce a hormone called insulin. Type 2 is when the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells do not react to insulin. Type 2 is far more common than Type 1 in the UK. For those living with either type, eating well and exercising are important parts of managing the condition. Maintaining a balanced diet will help, most days, keep your blood glucose level, blood pressure, and cholesterol in your target range.
When looking for a protein bar that is diabetes-friendly, those made with lots of natural ingredients containing plenty of healthy fats from nuts and seeds are king, while it is best to avoid any products with high saturated fats or added sugar. It’s worth noting that something doesn’t actually have to be labelled diabetes-approved for it to be a good option, just keep in mind what you know you should be avoiding through your diet. So, let’s get into it.
Protein Bars That Diabetics Can Eat
KIND Protein Bar Dark Chocolate Nut
If you’re after a rich, nutty delight that contains a whole lot of goodness then look no further. Made up of over 60% nuts, these bars and rammed full of natural ingredients which pack a tonne of healthy fats and essential vitamins to help you keep going for longer. A lot of the sweetness comes directly from dark chocolate and honey, which is exactly the reason I’ve included it on this list. There are no synthetic sweeteners, just great flavour without the sacrifice.
The good stuff: As KIND bars are mostly made of peanuts and almonds, they contain 5g of dietary fibre and 12g of plant-based carbohydrates. Because of the natural sweeteners they also rank low on the glycemic index, which means they won’t spike your blood sugar levels and will leave you feeling fuller for longer. Although 17g of total fat per 50g bar may seem high, that figure is mostly made up of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, otherwise known as the “good fats” because they are good for your heart, your cholesterol, and your overall health.
Nature Valley Protein Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate
Another nutty, chocolatey piece of deliciousness, these bars have also made the list because of the proportion of natural ingredients which go into making them a great option to boost your protein. Of a total Nature Valley 40g bar, 39% of it is made from roasted peanuts which are a great source of those heart-friendly fats. The bar also boasts no artificial colours, preservatives or flavours and it’s high in fibre.
In terms of protein, it contains 10g per serving, which is ever so slightly lower than the KIND bars. However, with it being a smaller portion, it does offer less fat, with just 12g per bar. The carbs are also low at 9.6g with 6.2g of sugar. There is a slight amount of added sugar in this pick largely due to the chocolate pieces, but generally speaking, it’s a nice balanced option.
Keto Collective Cherry Bakewell
A ketogenic diet may help some people with type 2 diabetes as it allows the body to maintain glucose levels at a low but healthy amount. The lower intake of carbohydrates can also help eliminate large spikes in blood sugar, reducing the need for insulin. The team at Keto Collective have made cutting out carbs a doddle for many fitness nuts. Their protein bars are gluten-free, vegan-friendly, high in fibre and made with 100% Natural ingredients including peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds and coconut oil.
The Cherry Bakewell flavour contains real freeze-dried cherries and a pinch of sea salt to help bring out that nostalgic sweetness without the need for added sugar. In terms of the macros, the most important thing is that it contains just 3g of net carbs. If you’re trying to cut or simply want to lower your carb intake to manage your diabetes, this is a great choice of snack to help you do just that. The protein is slightly lower, however, with each 40g bar offering just shy of 7g. Naturally, the fat content is also marginally higher than other bars on the market at 17g, but this is due to the use of nuts and healthy oils in the recipe. What’s more, you can apply Gymfluencer’s code at the checkout to get yourself an extra 20% off.
