Cabbage for diabetes: benefits and harms, cooking methods

Diet is one of the main therapeutic and preventive measures for diabetes mellitus. The food consumed directly affects glucose levels, which is why patients face numerous dietary restrictions. Cabbage for type 2 diabetics is a useful product that helps normalize metabolic processes. With its help you can add variety to your daily diet.

Can you eat cabbage if you have diabetes?

The disease is accompanied by improper absorption of glucose associated with insulin deficiency. Therefore, the diet for this pathology involves the exclusion of foods containing excess sugar.

Cabbage is a plant with low glucose levels. At the same time, it contains a lot of useful substances 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 and acids, which are found in low concentrations in other foods of plant origin.

Cabbage has low calorie content and a rich vitamin and mineral composition.

The advantage of the plant for type 2 diabetics is that it is absorbed almost completely by the intestines. At the same time, the work of the digestive system is not burdened, as when consuming other products.

What kind of cabbage is good for diabetes?

Diets include different varieties 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 diet can include the following types:

• white cabbage;
• colored;
• kohlrabi;
• broccoli;
• red cabbage;
• Beijing;
• Brussels sprouts

Cauliflower contains more phytoncides

White cabbage is most popular for diabetes. This variety is more accessible. 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 increase blood sugar levels.

The Brussels and Beijing varieties are used as a source of vitamins and minerals. They are consumed 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 substances included in the composition.For type 2 diabetics, the vegetable is valuable due to its large number of beneficial properties.

Among them:

• reducing blood viscosity and protecting blood vessels;
• breakdown of glucose obtained with other products;
• acceleration of metabolic processes;
• participation in the absorption of complex carbohydrates;
• restoration of protein metabolism;
• immunostimulating effect;
• activation of insulin production in the pancreas;
• lowering cholesterol levels;
• contains a large amount of dietary fiber.

Even 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 consumed fresh or prepared in various ways.

Harm of cabbage for type 2 diabetes

Despite the beneficial properties, abuse of the product can cause damage to the body. As a rule, this occurs when overeating. Negative consequences are also possible if a dish for a type 2 diabetic is prepared incorrectly, causing the calorie content and glycemic index to exceed the norm.

Overeating can cause:

• pain and feeling of heaviness in the abdomen;
• heartburn;
• flatulence;
• nausea;
• diarrhea.

Type 2 diabetics are prohibited from eating cabbage if there are contraindications. These include some diseases that affect food absorption and metabolic processes.

Recommended for inclusion in the diet of overweight people

Contraindications include:

• ulcerative pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract;
• pancreatitis;
• intestinal bleeding;
• enterocolitis;
• cholelithiasis.

It is not recommended to eat Brussels and Chinese sprouts if a type 2 diabetic is taking blood-thinning medications. The vitamin K they contain may negatively affect how these medications work.

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. Improper heat treatment and combination with ingredients prohibited for type 2 diabetics can make plant foods harmful. Therefore, you should consider the main options for dishes recommended for insulin-dependent patients.

Fresh cabbage for type 2 diabetes

This option for eating 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 dish of white cabbage. This salad makes a great snack or complements your main meal.

Ingredients:

• cabbage – 200 g;
• 1 small carrot;
• mayonnaise – 1 tbsp. l.;
• a small bunch of greenery;
• salt - to taste.

Cabbage contains more vitamin C than lemon

Cooking process:

1. Cabbage and carrots should be grated, not cut.
2. The ingredients are mixed, seasoned with mayonnaise, and salt added.
3. The salad is complemented with greens.

An exquisite and very tasty salad for diabetics can be prepared 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.;
• greenery;
• lemon juice – 1 tsp.

Cabbage salads have a positive effect on the pancreas

Cooking process:

1. The cabbage needs to be grated.
2. Olives and chopped cheese are added to the crushed product.
3. The ingredients are poured with vegetable oil and lemon juice and stirred.
4. Top the salad with sesame seeds.

There is no need to add salt to this dish, as feta will make it salty.

Boiled cabbage for type 2 diabetics

This method of preparation is very popular among insulin-dependent people. Boiled cabbage for gestational diabetes can be used as a main dish or supplemented with your favorite dietary side dish.

For preparation you will need:

• white cabbage – 1 piece;
• salt – 2 tsp;
• olive oil – 100 ml;
• 2 lemons.

Cooking steps:

1. Cut the head of cabbage into 4-6 pieces.
2. Boil a pan of water, add salt.
3. Place the cabbage in boiling water.
4. Reduce heat.
5. Cook for 1 hour.
6. Mix olive oil and juice of 2 lemons.
7. Pour the resulting dressing over the dish.

Cabbage can be a natural immunostimulant for diabetics

The result is a delicious lean dish. Variety can be added to the diet of type 2 diabetics with boiled cauliflower.

Cooking method:

1. Disassemble the head of cabbage into individual inflorescences.
2. Place in salted boiling water.
3. Cook for 10 minutes.
4. Remove from water.

Regular consumption of cauliflower will have a beneficial effect on your well-being.

Boiled cauliflower and broccoli are consumed as an independent 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 increased fat content.

Ingredients:

• white cabbage – 500 g;
• onion – 1 head;
• carrots – 1 piece;
• garlic – 1 clove;
• salt, black pepper - to taste;
• vegetable oil – 2 tbsp. l.

It is better not to get carried away with fried foods, as such a dish requires a lot of oil.

Preparation:

1. Grate the carrots.
2. Mix with chopped cabbage.
3. Fry the onion in oil.
4. Add vegetable mixture.
5. Fry until the liquid evaporates.
6. 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 caloric, which must be taken into account when following a diet.

Stewed cabbage for diabetes

The main advantage of this dish is that it can be prepared in combination with numerous products. This is very important for type 2 diabetics who face many restrictions.

Dish ingredients:

• 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 first removed from the tomato. Tomato dressing is prepared from the pulp. Salt and pepper are added to it.

Preparation:

1. Fry onions and mushrooms in oil.
2. Add chopped vegetables.
3. Fry for 5-7 minutes until the liquid leaves the vegetables.
4. Pour in tomato dressing.
5. Simmer for 20-25 minutes with the lid closed, stirring occasionally.

The finished dish has a low glycemic index and is therefore recommended for diabetics. Instead of mushrooms, you can add dietary types of meat and other permitted vegetables to the composition.

Sauerkraut for type 2 diabetics

This dish is popular due to its excellent taste and healthy qualities. Pickled vegetables are allowed for diabetics, but only if properly prepared.

For 2 kg of the main product you will need:

• onion – 2 heads;
• garlic – 5-6 cloves;
• vegetable oil – 3 tbsp. l.;
• water – 1-1.5 l.

Alkaline salts contained in the fermented product help cleanse the blood

Preparation:

1. Grind the ingredients.
2. Place a 3-4 cm layer of cabbage.
3. Place some onion and garlic on top.
4. Repeat layers until the ingredients run out.
5. Pour the components with cool water and vegetable oil.
6. Place a board on top and place a weight on it.

The workpiece must be kept at a temperature no higher than 17 degrees. You can eat the fermented dish after 5-6 days.

Useful tips

Following several recommendations will enhance the beneficial effect of eating cabbage. Such advice will certainly help diabetics in the fight against the negative manifestations of the disease.

Basic recommendations:

1. When choosing, you should give preference to dense heads of cabbage with elastic leaves.
2. It is forbidden to eat the stalk as food, as toxins accumulate in it.
3. You should eat no more than 200 g of vegetables at one time.
4. It is most beneficial to consume the leaves fresh in combination with onions, carrots and dietary types of apples.
5. It is very convenient to ferment vegetables in glass jars.
6. You should not eat plant foods before bed.

Diabetics are advised to keep accurate calorie counts. This requirement also applies to cabbage, especially if it is part of complex dishes.

Conclusion

Cabbage for type 2 diabetics is a valuable dietary product with many beneficial qualities. The vegetable can be prepared in different ways, and thereby add variety to your daily diet. In addition, cabbage goes well with other foods approved for diabetics.

Recommended Posts

Pickling cabbage at home

How to grow Chinese cabbage

When to sow cabbage for seedlings in 2024

Varieties of Chinese cabbage resistant to flowering

Cabbage Parel F1

Beijing cabbage Bilko F1

Varieties of early and ultra-early white cabbage

Nadezhda cabbage: characteristics and description of the variety

Cabbage Zimovka 1474