Late-night eating: OK if you have diabetes?

Are late-night snacks a no-no for people with diabetes?

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Answer

It depends on what you eat. Generally, snacking after the evening meal — especially foods that contain carbohydrates — is discouraged if you have diabetes. This is because late-night snacks add extra calories and can cause an increase in blood sugar the next morning. If you're hungry after dinner, snack on a "free" food. Diet soda and many vegetables have few, if any, carbohydrates and calories and won't contribute to weight gain or increased blood sugar.

If you take diabetes medications or insulin injections and feel that you must have a snack in the evening to prevent low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) during the night, talk to your doctor about possibly adjusting the dose of your medications.

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MayoClinic.com Bookstore

• 'Mayo Clinic on Managing Diabetes,' Second Edition (Softcover)