Content
Diet is one of the main therapeutic and prophylactic measures for diabetes mellitus. The food consumed directly affects the glucose level, as a result of which patients are faced with numerous dietary restrictions. Cabbage for type 2 diabetics is a useful product that helps to normalize metabolic processes. With its help, you can add variety to your daily diet.
Is it possible to eat cabbage with diabetes
The disease is accompanied by improper absorption of glucose associated with insulin deficiency. Therefore, the diet for this pathology provides for the exclusion of foods containing excess sugar.
Cabbage is a plant with low glucose levels. At the same time, it contains a lot of nutrients necessary to maintain the normal functioning of organs. Therefore, this product is included in the diet of diabetics, and not only type 2.
Most types of cabbage are valuable sources of vitamins. The plant is enriched with minerals, acids, which are found in low concentrations in other plant foods.
Cabbage has a low calorie content and a rich vitamin and mineral composition
The advantage of the plant for type 2 diabetics is that it is absorbed by the intestines almost completely. At the same time, the work of the digestive system is not burdened, as with the use of other products.
What kind of cabbage can be used for diabetes
Diets include different types of vegetables. This also applies to cabbage. Most of its species have a similar composition and similar properties. Therefore, they can be used for type 2 diabetes.
The following types can be included in the diet:
- white cabbage;
- colored;
- kohlrabi;
- broccoli;
- redhead;
- Beijing;
- Brussels
Cauliflower contains more phytoncides
The most popular in diabetes mellitus is white cabbage. This variety is more readily available. In addition, this product has the longest shelf life.
Cauliflower and broccoli are recommended for type 2 diabetics because they have a positive effect on protein metabolism. They contain virtually no glucose, so they raise blood sugar levels.
The Brussels and Peking varieties are used as a source of vitamins and minerals. They are eaten fresh as part of salads or first courses.
Benefits of cabbage for type 2 diabetes
The positive effect of the product is due to the constituent substances. For type 2 diabetics, the vegetable is valuable because of its many beneficial properties.
Among them:
- decrease in blood viscosity and protection of blood vessels;
- breakdown of glucose obtained with other foods;
- acceleration of metabolic processes;
- participation in the assimilation of complex carbohydrates;
- restoration of protein metabolism;
- immunostimulating action;
- activation of insulin production in the pancreas;
- lowering cholesterol levels;
- high content of dietary fiber.
Even the systematic consumption of such a vegetable will not increase the need for insulin.
An important advantage is the possibility of freezing and long-term storage. The plant can be eaten fresh or prepared in a variety of ways.
Harm of cabbage in type 2 diabetes
Despite its beneficial properties, overuse of the product can wreak havoc on the body. This usually happens when you overeat. Also, negative consequences are possible if the dish for a type 2 diabetic is prepared incorrectly, due to which the calorie content and glycemic index exceed the norm.
Overeating can provoke:
- pain and heaviness in the abdomen;
- heartburn;
- flatulence;
- nausea;
- diarrhea.
It is forbidden for type 2 diabetics to eat cabbage if there are contraindications. These include some diseases that affect the absorption of food and metabolic processes.
Recommended for overweight people
Contraindications include:
- ulcerative pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract;
- pancreatitis;
- intestinal bleeding;
- enterocolitis;
- cholelithiasis.
It is not recommended to eat Brussels sprouts and Peking cabbage if a type 2 diabetic is taking blood-thinning drugs. The vitamin K they contain can negatively affect the effect of these drugs.
How to cook cabbage for diabetes
When following a diet designed to control glucose levels, you need to consider not only the composition of the food, but also the way it is prepared. This rule also applies to different types of cabbage. Incorrect heat treatment, combination with ingredients prohibited for type 2 diabetics, can make plant foods unhealthy. Therefore, you should consider the main options for meals recommended for insulin-dependent patients.
Fresh cabbage for type 2 diabetes
This option for the use of plant foods is considered optimal. Heat treatment negatively affects the concentration of nutrients in vegetables. Therefore, you need to eat cabbage, first of all, raw. The best way is to make salads.
The first option is a simple white cabbage dish. This salad will make a great snack or complement your main meal.
Ingredients:
- cabbage - 200 g;
- 1 small carrot;
- mayonnaise - 1 tbsp. l .;
- a small bunch of greens;
- salt to taste.
Cabbage contains more vitamin C than lemon
Cooking process:
- Cabbage and carrots should be grated, not cut.
- The components are mixed, seasoned with mayonnaise, salt is added.
- The salad is complemented with herbs.
An exquisite and delicious salad for diabetics can be made from Chinese cabbage. This dish has a low glycemic index, so it does not affect sugar levels.
Ingredients:
- cabbage - 150 g;
- olives - 50 g;
- feta cheese - 50 g;
- sesame seeds - 1 tbsp l .;
- olive oil - 1 tbsp l .;
- greens;
- lemon juice - 1 tsp.
Cabbage salads have a positive effect on the pancreas
Cooking process:
- Grate the cabbage.
- Olives and sliced cheese are added to the crushed product.
- Pour the ingredients with vegetable oil and lemon juice, stir.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the salad.
There is no need to add salt to such a dish, since feta will make it salty.
Boiled cabbage for type 2 diabetics
This cooking method is very popular among insulin dependent people. Boiled cabbage for gestational diabetes can be used as a main course or supplemented with your favorite dietary side dish.
For cooking you will need:
- white cabbage - 1 piece;
- salt - 2 tsp;
- olive oil - 100 ml;
- 2 lemons.
Cooking steps:
- Cut the head of cabbage into 4-6 pieces.
- Boil a pot of water, add salt.
- Dip the cabbage in boiling water.
- Reduce fire.
- Cook for 1 hour.
- Mix olive oil and juice of 2 lemons.
- Pour the resulting dressing over the dish.
Cabbage for diabetics can become a natural immunostimulant
The result is a delicious lean dish. Type 2 diabetics can be varied with boiled cauliflower.
Cooking method:
- Disassemble the head of cabbage into individual inflorescences.
- Dip in salted boiling water.
- Cook for 10 minutes.
- Remove from water.
Regular consumption of cauliflower will have a beneficial effect on well-being
Boiled cauliflower and broccoli are used as a separate dish. If desired, it can be used to prepare salads:
Fried cabbage for diabetes
This dish is usually prepared as a dietary side dish. Type 2 diabetics are not recommended to consume more than 400 g of such food per day due to the high fat content.
Ingredients:
- white cabbage - 500 g;
- onion - 1 head;
- carrots - 1 piece;
- garlic - 1 prong;
- salt, black pepper - to taste;
- vegetable oil - 2 tbsp. l.
It is better not to get carried away with a fried product, since such a dish requires a lot of oil.
Preparation:
- Grate carrots.
- Mix with chopped cabbage.
- Fry the onions in oil.
- Introduce the vegetable mixture.
- Fry until the liquid evaporates.
- Add salt and pepper.
This dish is very easy to prepare and will delight you with excellent taste. However, frying in oil makes the dish more high-calorie, which must be taken into account when dieting.
Braised cabbage for diabetes
The main advantage of such a dish is that it can be prepared in combination with numerous products. This is very important for type 2 diabetics who face a lot of restrictions.
Ingredients of the dish:
- cabbage - 600-700 g;
- tomato -2-3 pieces;
- onion - 1 head;
- champignons - 100 g;
- salt, pepper - to taste,
- vegetable oil - 1 spoon.
You can stew both fresh and fermented products.
The skin is preliminarily removed from the tomato. Tomato dressing is prepared from the pulp. Salt and pepper are added to it.
Preparation:
- Fry the onions and mushrooms in oil.
- Add chopped vegetable.
- Fry for 5-7 minutes, until the liquid leaves the vegetables.
- Pour over tomato dressing.
- Simmer for 20-25 minutes under a closed lid, stirring occasionally.
The finished dish has a low glycemic index, therefore it is recommended for diabetics. Instead of mushrooms, diet meats and other permitted vegetables can be added to the composition.
Sauerkraut for Type 2 Diabetics
This dish is popular due to its excellent taste and useful qualities. A pickled vegetable is allowed for diabetics, but only if it is cooked correctly.
For 2 kg of the main product you will need:
- onion - 2 heads;
- garlic - 5-6 teeth;
- vegetable oil - 3 tbsp. l .;
- water - 1-1.5 l.
Alkaline salts in fermented food help cleanse the blood
Preparation:
- Grind the ingredients.
- Lay out a 3-4 cm layer of cabbage.
- Place a little onion and garlic on top.
- Repeat the layers until the ingredients run out.
- Pour the components with cool water and vegetable oil.
- Place a board on top and place a load on it.
The workpiece must be kept at a temperature not higher than 17 degrees. You can use a sauerkraut dish in 5-6 days.
Useful Tips
Compliance with several recommendations will enhance the beneficial effect of eating cabbage.Such advice will surely help diabetics in the fight against the negative manifestations of the disease.
Key recommendations:
- When choosing, you should give preference to dense heads of cabbage with elastic leaves.
- It is forbidden to eat stump, as it accumulates toxins.
- At one time, you should eat no more than 200 g of a vegetable.
- It is most useful to use the leaves fresh in combination with onions, carrots and dietary types of apples.
- It is very convenient to ferment a vegetable in glass jars.
- Do not eat plant foods before bed.
Diabetics are advised to keep an accurate calorie count. This requirement also applies to cabbage, especially if it is included in complex dishes.
Conclusion
Cabbage for type 2 diabetics is a valuable dietary product with many beneficial qualities. Vegetables can be cooked in a variety of ways to add variety to your daily diet. In addition, cabbage goes well with other foods approved for use by diabetics.
