A woman has been praised for sharing a blood sugar-lowering soup recipe diabetics say is ‘so healthy’ and ‘delicious’. On Facebook, Carleigh Bodrug, a food blogger and writer, uploaded a video of herself making a sweet potato and cauliflower soup.
Carleigh, who is better known as PlantYou online, explained how to make the nutritional dish, which takes less than an hour start to finish. The video has been liked 244k times with the comment section flooded with praise.
One viewer called Rose replied: “That soup is so healthy. As a diabetic, I can use all those veggies ingredients. Thank you for sharing.” Another named Emma wrote: “It’s SO yummy! I use fat free Greek yogurt in mine instead of coconut milk.”
Tonya added: “That looks so delicious, I’m definitely going to make it.” Brenda said: “I agree, this looks so good and healthy.” Melanie put: “Made it last night for dinner – delicious!”
The soup’s ingredients are cauliflower, shallots, garlic, red bell pepper, sweet potato, coconut milk, vegetable broth, olive oil, parsley, curry powder, salt, paprika and cumin. In the video, Carleigh places all the vegetables on a baking tray and drizzles with olive oil and the other seasonings.
She roasts the vegetables for 40 minutes until they are fully cooked. After taking them out of the oven and letting them cool down, she mixes all the food in a blender, making sure to remove any stems and seeds. Once at the desired consistency, re-heat the soup and enjoy.
Why is the soup ideal for low blood sugar?
Cauliflower is rich in fibre and contains fewer carbohydrates than white rice, resulting in lower blood sugar levels. Fibre is crucial in maintaining digestive health and may lower the risk of chronic conditions like diabetes.
Additionally, fibre aids in weight management by promoting a feeling of fullness, which can help decrease overall calorie consumption. Cauliflower is also packed with vitamins C and K, folate, and antioxidants that help shield cells from inflammation and damaging free radicals.
Sweet potatoes are also high in fibre, which can help regulate blood sugar and reduce insulin resistance. They have a low glycemic index (GI), which means they raise blood sugar more slowly than other carbohydrates.
Meanwhile, bell peppers are packed with antioxidants, which can help lower inflammation and promote overall well-being. Research involving animals indicates that the polyphenols found in bell peppers might lower the risk of diabetes and enhance blood sugar control. Capsaicin, a component in bell peppers, has also been shown to boost fat-burning and accelerate metabolism.
Garlic can potentially enhance blood sugar management for individuals with type 2 diabetes. It may achieve this by boosting both insulin secretion and sensitivity. Garlic can also help lower lipid profiles and cholesterol levels. Aged garlic extract has positively affected inflammatory markers in studies of diabetic patients at risk for cardiovascular issues.
Coconut milk is a dairy-free alternative to milk and has a low GI. However, people with high blood sugar should be cautious with high-fat food like coconut milk. It is quite calorie-dense and contains a significant amount of saturated fat, which may raise LDL cholesterol levels and contribute to weight gain.
Cumin could potentially assist individuals with diabetes in managing their condition, although further studies are necessary. It may also help decrease urea levels in the blood, which can affect the body’s insulin response.
Additionally, cumin might lower Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) levels, which form in the bloodstream when blood sugar remains elevated for extended periods. If you are currently on medication to regulate your blood sugar, discussing the appropriate dosage of cumin with your healthcare provider and dietitian is important.
Many vegetables are low in calories and carbs, a must-have for people with diabetes. Diabetics should prioritise non-starchy vegetables over starchy ones, as starchy vegetables have a higher carbohydrate content per serving.
How to lower blood sugar levels
According to the NHS, high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) is where the level of sugar in your blood is too high. It mainly affects people with diabetes and can be serious if not treated.
People with diabetes can also have blood sugar that’s too low. This is called low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). If you have diabetes, you can find out if your blood sugar level is high by having a blood sugar (blood glucose) test.
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take any diabetes medicine you’ve been prescribed, as advised by your doctor or care team
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avoid eating too much sugary or starchy food
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try to find ways to manage stress
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exercise regularly
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lose weight if you’re overweight
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follow advice from your doctor or care team about what to do while you’re ill (sometimes called “sick day rules”)