Extend Snacks for Diabetes Related Benefits

By Marci Sloane|2014-04-16T13:51:04-04:00Updated: June 6th, 2011|Diet & Nutrition, Newsletters|0 Comments

Extend products such as bars, shakes, crisps, and drizzles come in various flavors, are delicious and allow the person with diabetes to satisfy their craving for a sweet, salty, or crunchy snack food without the possible adverse effects while helping to control their blood glucose levels.

The main ingredient that helps you to achieve these results is uncooked cornstarch. It is a carbohydrate that has a low glycemic index, meaning, it digests very slowly to help release glucose into the bloodstream over a long period of time – up to 9 hours! People with diabetes typically need to consume food every 3-4 hours to help keep their blood glucose stable. Extend products give you more protection and allows more flexibility in your eating schedule. Ask the past president of the American Diabetes Association and world renowned endocrinologist, Dr. Kaufman, who has invented these diabetes friendly snacks. There are other products on the market that contain other substances to delay digestion, however, Extend products works for the longest period of time. This may be especially critical to those who have difficulty keeping their blood glucose stable overnight. Some people have the Somogyi Effect or the “rebound” effect. They may have lower or ideal glucose at bedtime, however, during the middle of the night their levels drop and their liver is encouraged to release glucose into the bloodstream for protection. The liver tends to release an overabundance of glucose and the result is high fasting blood glucose the following morning. Any of the Extend products would discourage the Somogyi Effect since your glucose levels would remain stable for the duration of the night.

Of course taste is important and the Extend products come through for us! Whether you’re drinking the Chocolate, Vanilla or Strawberry shake (you can even add some peanut butter or almond extract for a totally different flavor), indulging in the sweet tasting Caramel Bliss or Chocolate Dream drizzles (a crispy sweet lovers treat drizzled with decadent tasting flavors), having the salt lovers delight – mostly lower sodium crisps – like White Cheddar, Honey BBQ, or Cinnamon, enjoying the Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch bar or the Peanut Butter, Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut, Mixed Berry or Apple Cinnamon bar you will be pleased at the taste and the results on your glucose levels.

See for yourself how these products with 17 patents affect your diabetes and glucose levels by testing your blood. You will see a difference in your readings and feel the difference in your energy level. By reducing fluctuating blood glucose levels and releasing glucose slowly into your bloodstream you will have a more sustained energy level for many hours. You may not feel that hungry either – for those trying to manage their weight.


NOTE: Consult your doctor first to make sure my recommendations fit your special health needs.

About the Author: Marci Sloane

Marci SloaneMarci Sloane, MS, RD, LD/N, CDE, is a registered and licensed dietitian/nutritionist and certified diabetes educator. She grew up in NYC where she graduated with a degree in Nutrition and Physiology from Teachers College at Columbia University. For over a decade, Marci managed a Diabetes and Nutrition Education Center at a multi-bed hospital in South Florida and has been counseling people on healthy eating, weight loss, and managing diseases and conditions such as: diabetes, pre-diabetes, healthy eating, heart disease, weight loss, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, hypertension, hypoglycemia and a host of other nutrition-related diseases. Marci is an American Diabetes Association Valor Award recipient and lectures frequently to the public and healthcare professionals. Marci was a featured panelist for the Sun-Sentinel's "Let's Take It Off" weight loss program, was highlighted in the Palm Beach Post: Meet Your Neighbor, "Woman's book on healthy eating uses humor as a key ingredient" and was a participant in their Diabetes Series in 2007. Marci Sloane is a member of the American Diabetes Association’s Health Professional Committee.

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