Diabetes Management: This Bhindi Soup May Help Keep Blood Sugar Levels In Control

Soups and winters go hand-in-hand. The slightest dip in temperatures makes us want to curl up with a warm cup of soup and watch the day go by. In addition to being flavourful and oh-so-comforting, soups also work has healing potions. This is why each time you catch a chill, someone or the other offers you some soup. Soups, if made right could also do wonders for your diabetes diet. All you need to do is choose the ingredients wisely. Diabetes is a condition where your body is either not able to produce enough insulin or is not able to respond to the insulin produced. This could lead to blood sugar fluctuations. According to studies, if nothing is done to control diabetes it could lead to kidney failure, obesity, heart ailments and even blindness.

(Also Read: How To Make Restaurant-Style Bhindi Masala At Home With Dhaba Restaurant's Secret Recipe)

Turns out that there are plenty of vegetables that could help keep your blood sugar levels stable due to their high fibre and low glycaemic index.  Take for instance okra or bhindi as we like to call it. This peculiar green vegetable has both admirers and detractors but very few could turn away from the fact that it is one of the healthiest vegetables you can include in your diet.

(Also Read: Ever Heard Of Bhindi 65? This New Style Of Making Bhindi Is Sure To Take You By Surprise!

^{Bhindi or Okra is a super nutritious veggie
Photo Credit: iStock}

As per Bangalore-based nutritionist, Dr. Anju Sood, okra is packed with a mix of healthy soluble and insoluble fibres, making it ideal for a diabetes diet. The Non-starchy veggie is also a treasure of nutrients. The book 'Healing Foods' by DK Publishing House also mentions that okra is a "rich source of many nutrients, including fibre, vitamin B6, and folate. B vitamins slow the progress of diabetic neuropathy and reduce levels of homocysteine, a risk factor for this disease."
Here's how you can use bhindi to make yourself a hearty soup:

Ingredients:

• 1 diced onion
• 1 1/3 cup okra, thinly sliced
• 2 cups peeled and deseeded tomatoes
• 1 cup boiled corn
• 3 cups of water
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp powdered black pepper
• Coriander leaves for garnish
• ½ tsp oil

Method:

1. In a pan, add oil and sautee onions till translucent
2. Now add corns, okra, tomatoes, pepper and stir until slightly cooked. Mix on high flame
3. Add water, bring it to boil.
4. Add salt for taste.
5.  Lower the flame and wait till okra is cooked. It should not take more than 10-15 minutes.
6. Serve hot with some coriander leaves garnishing.
Try this soup and let us know how you liked it!

(This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.)