8 Best Malaysian Snacks for Diabetic Patients

Let’s be real — everyone loves to snack. However, if you have diabetes, choosing the right snack is crucial. The good news? You can still enjoy tasty flavours and your favourite local snacks! With the right choices, you can enjoy the best Malaysian snacks for diabetic patients that are both delicious and supportive of your health.

Smart snacking helps keep your blood sugar stable and your energy levels up. So, if you’re eager to snack without the guilt while savouring local flavours, this article has everything you need—we’ve rounded up some of the top Malaysian snacks for diabetics, did some research on choosing healthy mamak food (food served at restaurants run by the Indian Muslim community, known locally as mamak), and included some easy Malaysian snack recipes for you to try too!

Before exploring snack choices, it is important to understand how to snack smartly. Keep these tips in mind:

Plan your snacks to avoid overeating.
Choose snacks with 120–200 calories to stay on track.
Focus on snacks rich in protein, fibre, and healthy fats.
Set time for snacking (Ideal time is in between lunch and dinner).

With these habits, you will feel fuller for longer and have more energy throughout the day. Now, let’s look at some of the top Malaysian snacks for diabetics that meet this healthy snacking approach.

Top Malaysian Snacks for Diabetics

Malaysia’s vibrant food culture has plenty of options that are both delicious and blood sugar–friendly. Here are some top Malaysian snacks for diabetics that you can enjoy as part of a balanced, diabetes-friendly diet.

1. Almonds

Calories: 160 kcal per handful (about 15–20 almonds)
Almonds are loaded with healthy fats, protein, and fibre, which can help make you feel full and stabilise your blood sugar levels.

2. Chapati (Plain)

Calories: 120–150 kcal per piece (without oil)
A healthier alternative to oily roti canai. Best enjoyed with plain dhal or veggie curry for extra fibre.

3. Hard-boiled Egg

Calories: 70–80 kcal per egg
Low in carbohydrates and high in protein, a great option for curbing cravings and keeping you energised. Consuming up to one egg a day is considered appropriate as part of a balanced diet.

4. Fresh Popiah (Not Fried)

Calories: 100–150 kcal per roll
Filled with fibre-rich turnips, carrots, and bean sprouts. Light, refreshing, and satisfying.

5. Porridge with Vegetables or Meat

Calories: 150–180 kcal per small bowl
Comforting and nourishing when eaten in moderate portions. Add chopped veggies for more fibre.

6. Boiled Peanuts (Kacang)

Calories: 90–95 kcal per handful (30–35 peanuts)
A great plant-based protein source with fibre and healthy fats. Keep it unsalted and unseasoned.

7. Steamed Otak-otak

Calories: 120–150 kcal per piece
Choose steamed over grilled. Made with fish and spices which are flavourful yet still diabetes-friendly in moderation.

8. Grilled Corn (Jagung Bakar)

Calories: 100–150 kcal per medium ear of corn (without butter or sauces)

Grilled corn on the cob is naturally sweet and high in fibre, making it an ideal diabetes-friendly snack whether eaten plain or lightly seasoned. For the best results, limit yourself to one ear of corn and consume it in moderation.

These top Malaysian snacks for diabetics are easy, tasty options that can help you manage your blood sugar.

If you’re looking for something more filling or heading to the mamak, don’t worry — there are diabetes-friendly choices available there too.

Healthy Mamak Food for Diabetics

You can still enjoy healthy, diabetes-friendly options. Making smart choices at your go-to mamak restaurants can help you manage your blood sugar without compromising on taste.

1. Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori chicken is marinated in spices and grilled to perfection. It’s rich in protein and low in carbohydrates, which helps to avoid blood sugar spikes. Select leaner chicken breasts with less oil for a lighter alternative.

2. Half-boiled Eggs

Eggs are a classic snack, and there’s a solid reason for that. Half-boiled eggs (telur separuh masak), are carb-free and loaded with protein and healthy fats, making you feel full and satisfied without spiking your blood sugar level.

Just be mindful of extra toppings like soy sauce or heavy seasoning, and limit this snack to once a day only.

3. Limau Panas (Hot Lime Juice)

Limau panas is a soothing warm lime beverage that’s ideal for hydration and helps with digestion. When served without added sugar, it’s a very low-calorie choice that packs vitamin C without any carbs or extra calories to worry about. Always ask for no sugar to keep it diabetes-friendly.

4. Teh O Kosong (Plain Tea without Sugar)

A cup of teh o kosong offers more than mere comfort — it’s rich in antioxidants and contains zero carbs or calories, as long as you skip the sugar and milk. It’s a perfect drink to sip on while enjoying your snack.

5. Sup Ayam (Clear Chicken Soup)

Clear chicken soup is a warm and comforting choice that is rich in protein. However, be mindful that some mamak versions can be oily and salty, or may include noodles and potatoes that increase the carbohydrate content.

For a diabetes-friendly meal, request less oil and salt and avoid the starchy add-ons. A light, clear broth with some lean chicken pieces is your best option.

These selections are some of the best healthy mamak food choices that will fulfil both your cravings and your health goals.

But if dining out isn’t your thing and you prefer home-cooked meals, don’t worry — you can still enjoy our local flavours by trying these simple and tasty Malaysian snack recipes at home!

Malaysian Snacks Recipes

Looking for simple and delicious Malaysian snacks recipes? Try steamed otak-otak and steamed popiah. Both are delicious and perfect as diabetes-friendly snacks.

Steamed Otak-otak Recipe

Ingredients:

300g minced mackerel fillet (deboned)
2 tbsp sugar-free red curry paste
100ml low-fat coconut milk
1 egg
1 tbsp cornflour
1 kaffir lime leaf, finely sliced
Salt to taste
Banana leaves or small ramekins for steaming

Instructions:

Mix mackerel, curry paste, coconut milk, egg, and cornflour until smooth.
Stir in kaffir lime leaf and salt.
Spoon mixture into banana leaf cups or ramekins.
Steam on medium heat for 10–15 minutes until firm.
Serve warm as a protein-packed snack.

Tip: Steaming keeps it low-fat and diabetes-friendly. Adjust spice level as you like.

Steamed Popiah Recipe

Ingredients for Filling:

1 cup turnip
½ cup carrots
½ cup bean sprouts
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp light soy sauce (low sodium)
1 tsp sesame oil
Salt and pepper to taste

6 popiah skin wraps (non-fried)
Lettuce leaves (optional)

Instructions:

Sauté garlic in sesame oil until fragrant.
Add turnip, carrots, soy sauce; cook 3–4 minutes until tender but still crunchy.
Toss in bean sprouts and season with salt and pepper.
Cool mixture slightly, place into popiah wraps with lettuce if desired.
Roll tightly and steam for 3–5 minutes to soften wraps.
Slice and serve warm.

Tip: Skip sugary sauces. Use chilli or vinegar for flavour without added carbs.

Try these Malaysian snack recipes to enjoy local flavours in a health-conscious way. However, recipes alone aren’t enough to help you stay fully on track. Here are some diabetes-friendly snacking tips to help you manage your condition while still enjoying your snacks.

Diabetes-friendly Snacking Tips

Diabetes-friendly snacking tips isn’t just about what you eat — it’s also about how you eat. Choosing the right snacks and being mindful can really help in keeping your blood sugar in check.

Here are some simple ways to snack smarter:

Avoid sugary snacks like biscuits, keropok, or kuih.
Choose high-protein or high-fibre snacks such as eggs, nuts, plain yoghurt, or veggie sticks.
Prepare your snacks in advance to prevent impulsive eating.
Use smaller bowls or plates to help manage portion sizes and to avoid overeating.
Avoid snacking while distracted, like when you’re watching TV or scrolling through your phone, to keep track of your intake.

Healthy diabetes-friendly snacking is just one part of managing your diabetes. To manage your diabetes well, it’s equally important to monitor your blood sugar level regularly. This helps you detect high or low blood sugar levels early and seek medical assistance when needed.

Here are some tips to help you manage your diabetes effectively:

Eating balanced meal everyday
Staying physically active regularly
Taking medications as prescribed
Managing stress effectively

By consistently following these steps, you can lower the chances of diabetes complications and improve your overall quality of life.

If you want to take it even further, protecting yourself against diabetes-related critical illnesses could be a smart option — that’s where Etiqa Critical Care Plus steps in, offering coverage that includes support for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus complications.

Introducing Etiqa Critical Care Plus

Here’s where Etiqa can help. Etiqa Critical Care Plus is an insurance plan designed to provide affordable coverage for 42 types of critical illnesses, including Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus complications. Here are some exclusive key benefits:

High sum insured: Up to RM200,000 for adults and RM40,000 for juveniles.
Coverage for 42 types of critical illnesses: Heart Attack, End Stage Liver Failure, Terminal Illness, and more. For the full list of critical illnesses, kindly refer to the product disclosure sheet on our website.
Coverage for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus complications: Surgery Retinopathy and Limb Amputation.
Cancer Care Benefit: An additional 50% sum insured is payable for cancer diagnosis, on top of the critical illness benefit.
Coverage for severe mental illnesses: Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Schizoaffective Disorder.
Coverage for communicable diseases: A RM300 lump sum cash allowance for communicable diseases can be claimed once a year and up to two times per life insured, per policy, throughout the coverage term, subject to a limit of RM3,000 per life insured, per policy for diseases such as Dengue, Covid-19, or any one communicable disease that requires quarantine by law.
Cashless payments: Premiums will be paid automatically via your EPF Account Sejahtera.
Family Plan available: Includes coverage for you, your spouse, and your children

Terms & Conditions apply.

By purchasing Etiqa Critical Care Plus, you’re not just preparing for the unexpected but you’re empowering yourself with peace of mind to live healthier. Learn more and apply here.

The benefit(s) payable under eligible product is(are) protected by PIDM up to limits. Please refer to PIDM’s TIPS Brochure or contact Etiqa Life Insurance Berhad or PIDM (visit www.pidm.gov.my). I Member of PIDM.

Copyright ©️2025 Etiqa Life Insurance Berhad Dataran Maybank.

You can still enjoy the delightful tastes of Malaysian snacks even if you have diabetes. It’s all about making smarter choices so you can still enjoy what you love – just in a healthier way.

With the right snacks, smart habits, and a little planning, enjoying Malaysian snacks while managing diabetes is absolutely possible. Start with something as simple as a healthy snack and build from there!

The information contained in this blog is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as advice on any matter. Etiqa accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from reliance on information contained in the article. This information is correct as of 2nd July 2025.

Sources:

The Cambridge Language Collective, Gleneagles, Free Malaysia Today, Healthline, Malaysian Chinese Kitchen, Mayo Clinic, Eat.Cook.Live with Brenda, Forbes, Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine