Tag Archives: diabetic recipes

  • 03
    Feb 19
  • 0

TYPE 2 DIABETES??? Add this common Indian vegetable to lower your sugars

Category:Indian Dietitian Online,Nutrition Articles Tags : 

Diabetes is a condition that occurs when the body cannot maintain healthy levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Type 2 diabetes develops when the body does not make enough insulin or does not use it well. This type of Diabetes can be easily managed with a healthy diet and physical activity and medication.

Recent studies have shown that a low-carb diet can be extremely beneficial for Type 2 Diabetics in controlling the sugar levels and in some cases even reversing the disease. A low- carb diet is a diet which has absolutely no refined carbohydrates, like added sugar, cakes, soft drinks, maida, biscuits and sugary drinks etc and very little grains(depending on individual blood tolerance). A good dietitian can plan a low-carb diet based on your eating patterns. If you are looking for a Desi/Indian Diet plan for Diabetes leave a note on our CONTACT US PAGE: Click HERE

There are a lot of foods that can help in lowering the sugar levels. That being said it should be mentioned here that these are not ‘Miracle Foods’ that can reduce your sugar levels after you have eaten sugary foods! One such vegetable is the humble Bhindi(ladiesfinger/Okra).

Okra/Ladiesfinger/Bhindi

Studies have shown that Ladiesfinger/Okra may benefit diabetics by reducing the rate of glucose being absorbed by the intestine. This may be primarily due to the slimy mucilage that is in the vegetable. It is also high in fiber which is an important component for controlling diabetes symptoms by keeping you full for a longer period thereby reducing hunger cravings. It also contains other nutrients like antioxidants, folate, potassium, calcium and vitamin K. Many people soak a cut ladiesfinger in water overnight and drink the water in the morning along slimy content.

Bhindi is a commonly used vegetable in every Indian household and each family probably has it own favourite bhindi recipes. Here are a few recipes that you can include:

  1. Bhindi in Peanut Masala
  2. Dry Bhindi Sabzi
  3. Palakkad style Bhindi Sambar
  4. Bhindi Fried Rice

Other foods that have been known to lower blood sugars are:

  • Karela(bittergourd),
  • Jamun fruit(Java fruit)
  • Bhindi (ladiesfinger/Okra)
  • Methi seeds (Fenugreek seeds)
  • Cinnamon (Ceylon)

If you are looking for a Desi/Indian Diet plan for Diabetes leave a note on our CONTACT US PAGE: Click HERE

Sweta Uchil-Purohit

Dietitian

  • 23
    Jan 19
  • 0

Korean Cinnamon Ginger Tea (for Blood Sugar control)

Category:Indian Dietitian Online Tags : 

Cinnamon tea is a popular drink in Korea and is called ‘SuJeongGwa’. It is usually served on festivals or special occasions. I first tried it years ago at a Korean restaurant and it was served as a cold dessert drink after the meal. It was delicious and we were told it is normally served chilled but can be had hot. It is actually served with sugar, but I have omitted that and used stevia as a sugar substitute.

What makes this drink (without added sugar) a great drink for diabetics and pre-diabetics as well as those looking to lose weight is the cinnamon. Several studies have shown that cinnamon is effective in reducing blood sugar levels as well as the HbA1C levels. Some researchers also found that it could lower the total cholesterol levels.

Cinnamon Ginger tea

Ingredients: (makes approx 5 litres)

  • Cinnamon Sticks (Ceylon cinnamon): 70g
  • Fresh ginger: 100gms , skinned and thinly sliced.
  • Water: 22 cups (1 cup=250ml)
  • Stevia(a natural sugar substitute)

Garnish:

  • Lemon juice (optional)
  • Mint leaves (optional)

Method:

  1. In a large saucepan put in 11 cups of water and the ginger, cover and boil it on medium heat for 40 mins.
  2. At the same time, put the cinnamon sticks into a separate large saucepan. Add 11 cups of water cover and let it boil on medium heat for 40 mins.
  3. After 40 mins, strain the ginger water and the cinnamon water into one large pot.
  4. For those who like it hot- pour a cup of the hot tea, add some stevia (you can garnish it with mint or lemon juice if you want).
  5. Otherwise, chill the batch of Sujeonggwa and serve cold after a meal with some stevia and garnish(optional).

It can be stored in airtight glass containers for about a week.

Note:

  1. Use Ceylon Cinnamon (found in Indian Stores) and not the Cassia Cinnamon found in regular grocery stores (in the US)
  2. Have it after your meals to aid in controlling sugar levels after meals (post-prandial).
  3. It is not a substitute for medications/insulin prescribed for diabetes.
  4. It is not a miracle drink to reduce your sugar levels after feasting and eating sugary snacks.
  5. Both Cinnamon and ginger are warming spices according to Ayurveda and this drink can also be used when you have a cold. Those prone to mouth ulcers should avoid taking it too often.
  6. You will see better results if you are on a prescribed diet for your condition and take these after sticking to the diet.

For getting a personalized Online Diet Consultation: Click on -> ONLINE DIET CONSULTATION PACKAGES

Also Check out our Indo-Korean recipe: Kimchi Uttapam

  • 31
    Dec 17
  • 0

Achari Paneer and Vegetable Tikkas

Category:Indian Dietitian Online Tags : 

A great dish for any Barbecue Party for vegetarians.  This mouth watering dish features fresh paneer and vegetables marinated in a traditional spicy pickle mix and grilled.

Ingredients for Achari Paneer and Vegetable Tikkas (Serves 8-10)

  • Paneer: 500g (cut into 1″ cubes)
  • Mixed veg(bell peppers, mushroom,onions, cauliflower, zucchini,etc): 500g (chopped into bite size pieces)
  • Pickle gravy: 2 tbsps (add more if you like it spicy)
  • Hung curd/yogurt: 1/2 cup
  • Onion seeds: 2 tsp
  • Ginger+ garlic Paste: 1 tbsp
  • Red chili powder: 1 tsp
  • Coriander powder: 1 tbsp
  • Turmeric powder: 1/2 tsp
  • Garam masala : 1 tsp
  • Grass fed Butter/Ghee: 3 tbsp
  • Satay sticks: 10-12 (let it soak in a bowl of water if grilling)
  • Oil: 2 tbsp
  • Salt: to taste

Method:

  1. In a bowl mix the hung curd along with the pickle gravy, onion seeds, ginger+garlic paste, red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, 2 tbsp ghee/butter and salt. Mix well.
  2. Add the paneer cubes and chopped mixed vegetables and mix well to coat them with the marinade.
  3. Let it marinade for at least 30 mins. String the paneer and vegetables on the sticks(you can alternate the paneer and vegetables)
  4. Heat oil in pan and place the paneer sticks. Keep rotating the sticks so that the paneer and vegetables get cooked evenly on all sides.
  5. Serve with mint and yogurt dip.

For Chicken Achaari Kebab recipe, click here: Chicken Achaari Kebab

  • 20
    Jan 17
  • 0

Punjabi Stuffed Karela recipe (Baked stuffed Bitter Gourd recipe)

Category:Indian Dietitian Online,Online Dietician India Tags : 

Bitter Gourd/Karela (hagalkai in Kannada, pavvakai in tamil) has long being used in India not just as a food but also to control blood sugar among diabetics. This is because bitter gourd contains a chemical that acts much like insulin to lower blood sugar. Though there are no significant studies to support this, Diabetics in India do try and include bittergourd regularly(either as a food or as a juice). In some countries, bitter melon is consumed as a treatment for malaria as the bitter flavor is due to the melon’s quinine content.

BITTERGOURD for LONG LIFE??Residents of the Japanese island of Okinawa have been known to have the longest life expediencies in the world. It is said that bitter gourd/karela is one of the secrets to Okinawa longevity because it contains high levels of health-promoting phyto-nutrients.
This is a baked version of the traditional recipe using onions as the stuffing. I find that baking the karela first reduces the cooking time on the pan.

Ingredients for Punjabi Style Stuffed Karela (with onions) : Serves

  • Bitter gourds (karela): 6 medium nos or 10-12 small
  • Onion :3 nos. finely chopped
  • Red chili powder: 1 tsp (or as per heat tolerance)
  • Coriander powder: 1 tbsp
  • Turmeric powder: 1/2 tsp
  • Garam masala : 1/2 tsp
  • Amchur (dry mango)powder: 1 tsp
  • Fennel seeds(saunf): 1 tsp (crushed)
  • Oil: 2 tbsp
  • Salt: to taste

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350 F.
  2. Prepare the karela by washing and drying them ( I don’t peel the skin,or apply salt to it, but you could if you feel it makes the dish too bitter).
  3. Slice each karela in the centre (without going all the way through) and scrape out the inside including the seeds using a teaspoon .
  4. Place the karela on a baking tray and bake for 30-45 mins (till it starts to shrink and brown a bit). If the karela is thick, it may require a bit longer, so keep checking.
  5. In the meanwhile heat the oil in a pan and add the onions and fry until golden brown.
  6. Add the spice powders and salt ,mix well.  Fry for a few seconds and remove from the heat.
  7. Once cooled use a spoon or your hands and stuff the karela with equal amounts of the mixture. Smear any extra stuffing or oil on the karela.
  8. You can bake the karela again for a further 10-15 mins or pan-fry the stuffed karela in a teaspoon of oil for 5-10 mins.
  9.  Serve with rice and dal or with roti’s and a sabzi.
  10. Once cooked the karela will keep refrigerated for up to a week.

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