3 Paleo-Friendly Snacks for Diabetics

Paleo and Diabetic Snack Bars?Here are 3 diabetic snack bars that will satisfy any sweet tooth – yet contain all-natural ingredients with low carbs, high fiber, high protein. Plus, as you might expect, they are gluten free as well.

Satisfied?

They are very satisfying because they are rich and dense due to their high fiber content (12-17 grams in each bar!) and good amount of fat. They are crunchy and chewy at the same time, so they satisfy that craving as well (You know – when you just want something to crunch in mid-afternoon?).

Note: However, don’t let the product name an labeling deceive you. Even if you are not diabetic, this is a great healthy snack if you want to stay regular or are looking for an easy (and tasty) way to incorporate more fiber into your diet.

The New Scrambled Egg Breakfast?

I like these bars as a healthy breakfast alternative that won’t spike blood sugar, yet provide as much protein as would those 2 scrambled eggs. If you are like many people, it can be challenging to fit in a home-cooked healthy breakfast, especially if you exercise in the morning and commute to work. These “diabetic” snacks are easy to carry with you, not to mention they require not time to cook. =)

Prebiotics & Fiber

Another cool thing about these protein bars is that they all contain Chicory Root. This ingredient contains inulin, a carbohydrate fiber, which is what makes the fiber content so high in these bars. It also provides a smooth and creamy texture to foods so there’s a better mouthfeel.

On top of that, inulin is a prebiotic which is healthy for our digestive systems. Some people even buy inulin as a supplement due to it’s health-enhancing properties – but we don’t have to since we get it in these paleo snacks for diabetics (and everyone else).

Problem? What Problem?

The one potential problem that Dr Weil sees is that people are more likely to over-eat inulin containing foods because they don’t taste like they are fiber rich. This can lead to gas, bloating or flatulence. So don’t feed your friends too many if you want them to keep being your friend…

Calcium Bonus…

Diabetic Kitchen bars also contain a good amount of calcium (8-15%). That’s nothing to shake a stick at. Combine it with that morning latte and you can be getting almost 50% of your daily recommended calcium! Tip: Choose the Peanut Butter Surprise flavor to get the most calcium.

No Extra Sugar Calories

Stevia is the all-natural sweetener used, so we don’t need to worry about the sugar spikes or extra calories from other natural sweeteners like dates, honey or agave nectar. Honestly, I’m a little surprised that more paleo protein bars don’t use stevia. I’d personally rather my calories go to protein or fat than to sugar-laden natural foods, if you know what I mean.

Diabetic Kitchen Snack Bar Ingredients

Ingredients:

Peanut Butter Surprise:

  • Chicory Root Fiber, Whey Protein Isolate, Organic Peanut Butter, Organic Peanuts, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Apples, Ground Flaxseed, Organic Vanilla Extract, Sea Salt, Stevia, Cinnamon

Vanilla Almond Bliss:

  • Chicory Root Fiber, Whey Protein Isolate, Organic Almond Butter, Almonds, Ground Flaxseed, Organic Vanilla Extract, Sea Salt, Stevia

Chocolate Cashew Crunch:

  • Chicory Root Fiber, Whey Protein Isolate, Organic Cashews, Organic Cashew Butter, Organic Cacao Nibs, Organic Cocoa, Organic Vanilla Extract, Ground Flaxseed, Sea Salt, Stevia

Cara Rennie, PaleoBarChart.com
About the Author: Cara Rennie is a paleo cooking chef, writer and advocate for healthy living. With over a decade of experience in the culinary industry, Cara has established herself as an expert in the paleo lifestyle, emphasizing the use of natural ingredients that promote a balanced and sustainable lifestyle. She firmly believes in the power of food to transform people's lives, while helping others discover the joys of paleo eating. Facebook | Pinterest

What Do I Think About YAWP Bars?

Yawp Bar Sampler Pack
What are They?

“Yawp” bars are filled with unprocessed, whole ingredients, no added sugars or sweeteners – and they are grain-free (among other things).

If you are looking for a real food snack that’s nutrient-dense, this is a good one to check out.

They offer a 3-bar sampler pack, so you can try out each of their flavors before making a commitment to a full pack of a certain flavor.

Before we get into the flavors and nutritional content, here are some things to note about these low carb paleo bars:

  • No preservatives
  • Dairy-free
  • Grain-free
  • No added sugars or sweeteners, no stevia either
  • 100% vegan
  • Low carb bars (due to low sugar content, no grains and no processed ingredients)

In order to meet the needs of a wider market (if you have a family of 5 with different tastes and needs, for example), Yawp created a good all-around snack that pretty much everyone will like.

Yawp Bars are Not Extreme in Any Direction.

I think this is a good idea, because if you like a certain bar or snack and end up eating it on a regular basis, you don’t want to end up with lop-sided nutrition, if you know what I mean.

  • Yawp Bars are lower in sugar and carbs, but they are not “zero carb”
  • The bar has a good amount of protein (about 7g per serving), but it’s not protein-rich
  • Each flavor contains about 200 calories, so they are medium-sized snacks
  • Fiber is average at about 4 grams per serving
  • The nuts and seeds deliver about 15 grams of healthy fat per bar, great for filling you up without weighing you down.

Yawp Keeps Their Bars Simple.

Each of the 3 flavors starts with just 5 main ingredients (which, by the way, were choses for their diverse nutritional content and varying textures):

  • Organic Almonds
  • Organic Dates
  • Organic Pepitas
  • Organic Sunflower Seeds
  • Organic Sesame Seeds

From there, they go different directions: CafĂ© Mocha (richer flavor), Coconut Chai (a little spicier) and “Naked” (no clothes, just kidding).

What Makes a Yawp Bar Different?

They are dehydrated until they reach a certain level of crispiness. If you’ve tried many protein bars or whole food bars, you know that most of them are chewy or “cake-y” rather than crispy. You can find more about the company and their company goals, product standards, etc.. here.

The Details…

Yawp Naked Paleo BarNAKED

Features Organic Cinnamon & Himalayan Salt

Calories: 197
Fat: 15g
Protein: 7g
Carbs: 12g
Sugars: 6g
Fiber:4g
 

Yawp Cafe Mocha BarCAFE MOCHA

Features Organic Coffee, Organic Cocoa Powder, Vanilla Bean & Himalayan Salt

Calories: 196
Fat: 15g
Protein: 7g
Carbs: 13g
Sugars: 6g
Fiber: 4g
 

Yawp Coconut Chai BarCOCONUT CHAI

Features Organic Coconut, Chai Spice Blend: (Organic Cinnamon, Cardamom, Ginger, Black Pepper, Star Anise) & Himalayan Salt.

Calories: 199
Fat: 15g
Protein: 7g
Carbs: 12g
Sugars: 6g
Fiber: 4g

Click her for the Snack Pack or for more information

 

Cara Rennie, PaleoBarChart.com
About the Author: Cara Rennie is a paleo cooking chef, writer and advocate for healthy living. With over a decade of experience in the culinary industry, Cara has established herself as an expert in the paleo lifestyle, emphasizing the use of natural ingredients that promote a balanced and sustainable lifestyle. She firmly believes in the power of food to transform people's lives, while helping others discover the joys of paleo eating. Facebook | Pinterest

Cricket Protein Bars – Are They Worth Trying?

CricketYou may have never considered eating crickets before as a meal or snack, but now we are hearing more that these insects have a variety of nutritional benefits that we may not want to leave lying on the table.

1. Crickets are extremely nutritionally dense for their size

Ounce for ounce, crickets provide twice as much protein as beef, 5 times as much magnesium and contains all 9 essential amino acids according to Men’s Health.

2. They are better for the environment

In addition, cricket farming is environmentally responsible. Less water and space is needed to farm these insects, and less greenhouse gases are produced in the process.

3. Get more of what you want, and less of what you don’t want

Plus, consider this. Cricket flour includes the whole cricket. Not only do you get protein from muscle, but more vitamins and minerals from the animal’s organs, bones and more. There’s no waste here. Plus, you don’t have to worry about ingesting hormones or antibiotics fed to the animal, because there were none.

Have you tried foods made with crickets?

Where Can You Try Cricket Protein Bars?

Exo Cricket Bar Variety Pack
Try a small variety pack of Exo Bars for $10
. This is the cricket protein bar that was taste-tested by Tim Ferris and Kevin Rose on the Random Show (see minute 31 of the video).

Find out what flavor you like best, or if you like them at all. Better yet, share them with a friend and split the cost.

So, How Do Cricket Protein Bars Taste?

They have the consistency of many other paleo protein bars that are made with ingredients like nuts, seeds and date paste. They feel soft, chewy and crunchy at the same time.

Honestly, you will probably not know the difference between cricket flour and other protein flours like whey, egg, soy or pea.

Exo Cacao Cricket Bar IngredientsKeep in mind that cricket protein bars are not just a bunch of crickets shoved into a package. This is cricket flour.

Don’t think that you will be crunching down on a bunch of heads and legs. Now, that would be gross.

These sampler packs include one bar each of Blueberry Vanilla, Apple Cinnamon and Cacao Nut.

Don’t be surprised if you are surprised. Many people don’t expect that they will taste something good. Then, they realize that they like crickets. This may have something to do with the fact that these paleo protein bars have been created by a professional chef.

They include lots of other tasty, wholesome ingredients that you won’t be unhappy about eating – and besides having 10 grams of protein each, they also provide a nice boost of healthy energy. And no gluten, grain, soy, dairy or refined sugars by the way.

Watch these taste tests:


Ingredients of Cricket Protein Bars:

Blueberry Vanilla
Ingredients include Almonds, Apricots, Blueberries, (Blueberries, Apple Juice Concentrate), Strawberries (Strawberries, Apple Juice Concentrate) and Cricket Flour (Acheta Domesticus). Plus Honey, Ground Flaxseeds, Coconut, Vanilla Extract and Sea Salt.

Apple Cinnamon
Ingredients include Almonds, Plum Paste (Plum Juice Concentrate, Plums), Apricots, Apple Paste (Apple Juice Concentrate, Apple Puree Concentrate) an Cricket Flour. Plus Honey, Apples, Ground Flaxseeds, Coconut, Vanilla Extract, Spices and Sea Salt.

Cacao Nut
Ingredients include Almonds, Dates, Coconut, Honey and Cricket Flour. Plus Cacao Nibs, Cacao Powder, Ground Flaxseeds, Vanilla Extract and Sea Salt.

NEW! Peanut Butter & Jelly
Ingredients include Peanuts, Strawberries (Strawberries, Apple Juice), Apricots and Cricket Flour. Plus Gluten-Free Oats, Ground Flaxseeds, Puffed Brown Rice (Rice Four, Rice Bran, Raisin Juice Concentrate, Honey, Salt), Honey, Vanilla Extract and Sea Salt.

Note: If you have an allergy to crustaceans, don’t eat the cricket bars.

Rating: 5 stars

Chapul Cricket Energy BarsBut… these are not the only cricket protein bars that you can buy. Chapul Cricket Energy Bars are also available online, as sampler packs or individual flavors. They are a little more expensive – about $28 for 6 bars VS $10 for 3 bars of the Exo.

These paleo protein bars are also contain no soy, dairy or gluten and are non-GMO. Flavors include Aztec (with organic espresso roast coffee beans and cayenne), Chaco (with peanuts, cocoa, oats and honey) and Thai (with almond butter, cashews, coconut flakes, ginger and lime – mmm).
 

Cara Rennie, PaleoBarChart.com
About the Author: Cara Rennie is a paleo cooking chef, writer and advocate for healthy living. With over a decade of experience in the culinary industry, Cara has established herself as an expert in the paleo lifestyle, emphasizing the use of natural ingredients that promote a balanced and sustainable lifestyle. She firmly believes in the power of food to transform people's lives, while helping others discover the joys of paleo eating. Facebook | Pinterest