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Updated September 03, 2013.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
It is a good idea for diabetics to keep a snack bar on them for emergency meal replacements and snacks. Note: this type of snack should not be used to treat a hypoglycemia episode, because it will not provide enough fast-acting sugar. But say you get stuck in the doctor's office, or out running errands. Instead of hitting a vending machine or drive-through and facing the very real potential that there may not be a healthy option available, choose a snack bar instead.
One brand marketed towards diabetics is the Glucerna line of snack and meal bars.
Abbott Nutrition carries a very well-known product line called Glucerna. For both the Glucerna snack and meal replacement bars, the company provides studies showing that their product produces better glucose control compared to a "standard bar" -- presumably one that is higher in carbohydrate. But don't spend too much time looking at the Abbott-funded research (I'm always skeptical of research funded by the company trying to sell you a product). The bottom line is that you need to choose foods and food products that fit your personal meal plan and needs.
The cost of Glucerna snack and meal bars varies. You can buy them online or in most grocery and drug stores. Note that name-brand products like Glucerna tend to be expensive. To cut costs, you can look online for coupons, and consider reserving the use of this type of product for your back-up meal or snack plan.
Glucerna bars come in a variety of flavors including chocolate caramel (snack bar), caramel nut (snack bar), blueberry (snack bar), chocolate peanut (meal replacement bar) and chocolate chunk (meal replacement bar).
They have the texture and mouth-feel of a chocolate-covered chewy granola bar, only they're a little more firm.
In general, having a snack or meal bar on hand is a very good idea for a diabetic. Here is the nutrition facts on the Glucerna Bars:
1 Glucerna Snack Bar Provides: 150 Calories, 25 grams carbohydrate, 6 grams protein, 1 gram fiber, 4 grams fat
1 Glucerna Meal Replacement Bar Provides: 220 Calories, 34 grams carbohydrate, 10 grams protein, 2 grams fiber, 7 grams fat
About.com and this author do not endorse the sale or purchase of Glucerna snack and meal bars. This article is designed to be purely informative.
Updated September 03, 2013.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
It is a good idea for diabetics to keep a snack bar on them for emergency meal replacements and snacks. Note: this type of snack should not be used to treat a hypoglycemia episode, because it will not provide enough fast-acting sugar. But say you get stuck in the doctor's office, or out running errands. Instead of hitting a vending machine or drive-through and facing the very real potential that there may not be a healthy option available, choose a snack bar instead.
One brand marketed towards diabetics is the Glucerna line of snack and meal bars.
Abbott Nutrition carries a very well-known product line called Glucerna. For both the Glucerna snack and meal replacement bars, the company provides studies showing that their product produces better glucose control compared to a "standard bar" -- presumably one that is higher in carbohydrate. But don't spend too much time looking at the Abbott-funded research (I'm always skeptical of research funded by the company trying to sell you a product). The bottom line is that you need to choose foods and food products that fit your personal meal plan and needs.
Glucerna Snack Bar: Cost
The cost of Glucerna snack and meal bars varies. You can buy them online or in most grocery and drug stores. Note that name-brand products like Glucerna tend to be expensive. To cut costs, you can look online for coupons, and consider reserving the use of this type of product for your back-up meal or snack plan.
Glucerna Snack Bar: Taste and Texture
Glucerna bars come in a variety of flavors including chocolate caramel (snack bar), caramel nut (snack bar), blueberry (snack bar), chocolate peanut (meal replacement bar) and chocolate chunk (meal replacement bar).
They have the texture and mouth-feel of a chocolate-covered chewy granola bar, only they're a little more firm.
Glucerna Snack Bar: Nutrition Facts
In general, having a snack or meal bar on hand is a very good idea for a diabetic. Here is the nutrition facts on the Glucerna Bars:
1 Glucerna Snack Bar Provides: 150 Calories, 25 grams carbohydrate, 6 grams protein, 1 gram fiber, 4 grams fat
1 Glucerna Meal Replacement Bar Provides: 220 Calories, 34 grams carbohydrate, 10 grams protein, 2 grams fiber, 7 grams fat
About.com and this author do not endorse the sale or purchase of Glucerna snack and meal bars. This article is designed to be purely informative.