This easy vegetable soup makes a warm comforting meal for those cool autumn days.
This hearty and flavorful dish brings together an array of wholesome ingredients to create a satisfying and nourishing experience. With a base of sautéed garlic, onions, carrots, and celery, complemented by the creaminess of cannellini beans and the freshness of kale, this soup is a testament to the beauty of simple, plant-based cooking.
Nutrient-Rich Yellow Onions: Flavorful Allies in Diabetes-Friendly Cooking!
Yellow onions, a kitchen staple appreciated for their robust flavor, are more than just a culinary delight – they also offer notable nutritional benefits. Rich in essential vitamins and minerals, a medium-sized yellow onion contributes to your daily intake of vitamin C, providing support for your immune system, and vitamin B6, which aids in metabolism and nervous system health.
Additionally, they contain small amounts of folate, manganese, and potassium, contributing to various bodily functions.
In the context of diabetes management, yellow onions can be a valuable addition to your diet. They have a relatively low glycemic index (GI), which is a measure of how quickly a carbohydrate-containing food raises blood glucose levels. This low GI suggests that yellow onions have a mild impact on blood glucose, making them suitable for individuals seeking to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Furthermore, the glycemic load (GL), which considers both the quantity and quality of carbohydrates in a food, of yellow onions is also low, further supporting their diabetes-friendly profile.
Incorporating yellow onions into your meals can bring depth and flavor without causing significant spikes in blood glucose. Their nutrient content and favorable glycemic characteristics make them a versatile ingredient that aligns well with a plant-based whole food approach – a cornerstone of effective diabetes management.
As always, consulting with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian can help tailor dietary choices to individual needs and preferences.
Unveiling the Mighty Russet Potato: Tasty Taters in Diabetes-Friendly Dining!
Russet potatoes, known for their versatility and beloved for their fluffy texture, offer a range of essential nutrients that contribute to a balanced diet. A medium-sized russet potato is a good source of vitamin C, providing immune system support, and vitamin B6, which plays a role in metabolism and nervous system health. Additionally, they contain potassium, a mineral crucial for maintaining proper heart and muscle function, as well as small amounts of manganese and folate.
For those managing diabetes, russet potatoes can be included as part of a well-balanced diet. It's important to note that russet potatoes have a higher glycemic index (GI) compared to some other vegetables. The GI measures how quickly a carbohydrate-containing food raises blood glucose levels. However, the glycemic load (GL) of russet potatoes is influenced by portion size – consuming moderate portions can help mitigate their impact on blood glucose levels.
Incorporating russet potatoes mindfully, such as pairing them with sources of fiber and protein, can help manage their effect on blood glucose levels. Balancing them with non-starchy vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats is a strategic way to include them in your meals.
Crunching the Numbers: Celery's Diabetes-Friendly Delight!
Celery, known for its crisp texture and refreshing taste, brings a subtle yet impactful array of nutrients to the table. Rich in vitamin K, celery contributes to bone health and blood clotting regulation. It also contains small amounts of vitamin C, potassium, and folate, offering a modest boost to these essential nutrients.
For those with diabetes, celery can be a valuable addition to the diet. Notably, celery has an extremely low glycemic index (GI) due to its minimal carbohydrate content. The GI measures how quickly a food raises blood glucose levels, and the fact that celery's impact is negligible makes it a diabetes-friendly choice.
Furthermore, its glycemic load (GL), which considers the overall impact of carbohydrates in a food, is virtually insignificant due to its low carbohydrate content.
Incorporating celery into meals and snacks can provide a satisfying crunch while keeping blood glucose levels stable. Its negligible GI and GL make it a wonderful option for adding texture, flavor, and a touch of hydration to dishes. Combining celery with sources of protein, healthy fats, and other non-starchy vegetables can create balanced and nourishing meals that align well with diabetes management goals.
Tuscan White Bean Kale Soup
Ingredients
- 1 - 2 tbsp water or vegetable broth for sautéing
- 1 - 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium sweet yellow onion diced
- 3 medium carrots diced
- 3 medium celery stalks diced
- 2 - 3 medium russet potatoes peeled and diced
- 19 oz can cannellini beans drained and rinsed
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 - 1 tsp pepper flakes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 15 oz can tomato diced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dries basil
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 medium zucchini diced
- 1 cup kale chopped
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot, sauté garlic, onion, carrots, celery and potatoes in 2 tbsp of water or vegetable broth for approximately 10 minutes until vegetables are tender. Add more liquid if needed 1 tbsp at a time.
- To pot, add beans, bay leaf, pepper flakes, vegetable broth, tomatoes with juices, tomato paste, basil, oregano, thyme. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add zucchini and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Add kale and black pepper to taste and cook until kale is wilted.
- Serve.