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Diabetic Snack Bars
The past few years has seen the growth of a
new category of foods - diabetic snack bars. Some are formulated to prevent hypoglycemia
while others are designed to reduce hyperglycemia.
They are intended to be used as a snack or partial meal replacement, to be eaten
in the context of the individual's meal plan. The bars designed to prevent hypoglycemia
include uncooked cornstarch (UCS), a slowly absorbed complex carbohydrate that acts as
a continuous source of glucose. Those that aim to reduce hyperglycemia use ingredients
such as resistant starches and fiber, which help to blunt the postprandial (after a
meal) glycemic response.
In a recent scientific review of these products, diabetes specialists made these
recommendations:
- People on intensive insulin therapy treatment plans who are in very good control
may benefit most from using the snack bars containing UCS because they are more
susceptible to episodes of hypoglycemia.
- These products should NOT be used to treat hypoglycemia; they are not formulated to
act quickly.
- Snack bars with UCS are good as part of a bedtime snack to prevent hypoglycemia at
night.
- Snack bars without UCS are meant to help prevent hyperglycemia during the day.
- Snack bars meant for daytime use may not be suitable as nighttime snacks.
- The various types of snack bars are not interchangeable, even though their
carbohydrate content may be similar.
- Snack bars containing UCS may help to avoid low blood glucose after drinking alcohol.
- People who suffer from hypoglycemic unawareness may benefit from snack bars with
UCS to help prevent hypoglycemia.
- Both types are preferable to regular snack bars, including health bars, energy
bars, or candy bars, which may cause exaggerated glycemic responses.
Top
Bars Formulated To Prevent Hypoglycemia
|
Product
(Manufacturer) |
Suggested
Use |
Claims |
Extend Bar
(Clinical Products, Ltd.) |
Use
before bed, before exercise, or whenever low blood glucose is likely to
occur. |
Reduces episodes of low blood glucose for up to 9
hours without causing high blood glucose. |
Gluc-O-Bar
(APIC, USA, Inc.) |
Use day or night as part of
the dietary management of abnormal blood
glucose levels. |
Provides sustained glucose release over a prolonged
interval without sudden
peaks. |
Nite Bite
(ICN Pharmaceuticals,
Inc) |
Use
before bed or exercise, to help maintain blood glucose levels. |
Helps prevent nighttime hypoglycemia; proven to
be beneficial before exercise. |
The snack bars that aim to reduce hyperglycemia use
ingredients such as resistant starches and fiber, which are incompletely
absorbed and help to blunt the postprandial glycemic response.
Top
Bars Formulated To Reduce Hyperglycemia
|
Product
(Manufacturer) |
Suggested
Use |
Claims |
Choice DM
(Mead Johnson Nutritionals) |
Ideal as a snack between meals,
after exercise, before bedtime, or
anytime. |
Clinically shown to cause less rise in blood glucose
levels compared to snack bars tested. |
Choice DM Crispy Bars
(Mead Johnson Nutritionals) |
"Pick-me-up"
snack for people with diabetes. |
Minimize postprandial peaks
in blood glucose
levels. |
| Ensure
Glucerna(Ross Products
Division) |
Use as a snack or occasional meal replacement. |
Clinically shown to lower blood glucose response,
compared to ordinary snack bar. |
Top
If you are considering using these
products, you should carefully examine the product labels and evaluate your own
glycemic response to each. Be sure to make them a part of your individualized meal
plan.
Related information
Hypoglycemia
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