34 PARENTLIFE MARCH 2008

10 Super Sugar-Stabilizing Snacks

The following snacks are ranked by glycemic impact, portability, and ease of preparation. Pack these when your family is going out for the day. Give everyone a snack or meal every two to four hours.

• Peanuts, cashews, or pecans

• Fresh or dried fruit

• Glass of skim or 2 percent milk

• Low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese

• Slice of thin crust supreme pizza

• Bag of raw veggies

• Snack-size Snickers^®, Twix^®, or Peanut M&Ms^®

• Refried beans and cheese (alone or in a flour tortilla)

• Corn chips (plain) or Combos^® Cheddar Cheese Pretzels

• Luncheon meat or cheese cubes

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Caution: Some of these snacks are a choking hazard to very young children. Always cut up food well. Some of these snacks include fat, sodium, and sugar. Use small portions in moderation or with the advice of a doctor.

Sources: David Mendosa, www.mendosa.com and BecomeHealthyNow.com, “The Glycemic Index,” www.becomehealthynow.com.

techniques like this, she controls her diabetes — and her moods — with diet alone.

Good News for Young Parents

In childbearing years — through pregnancy, crazy sleep schedules, and draining daytime schedules — it is normal to feel moody, tired, and hungry. You cannot prevent all of that, but the good news is, you can do something. With a few small changes and good food choices, you can help maximize your family’s moods and energy levels.

Be careful about taking in too many high GI foods. Take healthy snacks with you when you run errands or go to activities so blood sugar does not drop too low. A lifelong hypoglycemic told me, “I wish I had known when I was young where most of my irritability was coming from. I want young moms to know they don’t have to feel the way I did! Snacking on the right foods can help.”

The even better news is, God knows about blood sugar, and He knows when it is not working right in your body. Deuteronomy 33: 12 says

Choose foods that keep blood sugar steady rather than foods that take it up and down drastically.

He carries you across His shoulders. He wants you to picture that He is the Shepherd who gently leads you and loves you. He looks directly at your physical limitations and says, “I have already decided to love you. Come to Me for strength and direction.” I have found Him to be there when I feel my worst. I know you will, too. 

Sources: National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov and Glycemic Index, www.glycemicindex.com.

kristen white feeds her family, pets, and whoever is hanging around every three to four hours in Indiana. Visit her Web site ( www.kristenwhite.net), for more mom encouragement (including recipes, family games, and stories).