Red Lentil Stew / Moroccan Harira (vegetarian version) – Diabetes Friendly Thursdays

  

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Red Lentil Stew / Moroccan Harira

The DFT team brings Diabetes Friendly Soups this week! Thank you Shailja, Prachi, Sarika, Swati, Anupama, Apsara, Chahat, Suchitra!

  
The recipes keep evolving with time, the availability of ingredients,  the migration of the people, the choice of food”ism” like veganism, vegetarianism, and ofcourse the meat”ism”. Lately, the world chefs and home cooks have been adapting and recreating the recipes in vegetarian avatar for the benefit of all. 

I read this recipe in atleast 20 different versions online and then came up with mine, keeping in mind the basic ingredients and then adapting to what is available to me and people worldwide in general. Vegetarian Moroccan Harrira is a flavorful and simple soup or stew which I have created healthy for Diabetics. 

For better idea on health benefits of Red lentils, Tomatoes and Carrots on Diabetes, please read the foot notes.

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Health Benefits of Red Lentils, Tomatoes and Carrots for Diabetes.

Modern Diabetic Research and Resources say that today, diabetics can eat from all the food groups but the key to good eating is portion control. Diabetics can choose from a variety of food plans, including an exchange system, a diet based on the glycemic index, or a carbohydrate-counting plan that allows for a specific amount of carbohydrates per meal. 

Red Lentils are a good choice for a low carb meal, because they are high in fiber and therefore will help stabilize blood sugar levels. Lentils also provide a good deal of low-fat protein, which can be helpful for vegetarian diabetics as well as diabetics who want to lose some weight. Having said that, they are still primarily carbs, so portion control is must. 1/4 cup of dry lentils constitute a good meal portion. For more information, Click here!

Tomatoes lower blood pressure significantly and improve HDL, so they may help cut the risk of heart disease, a common and serious problem for people with diabetes. They’re also rich in iron and vitamins C and E, according to the American Diabetes Association, which rates them as a diabetes superfood. For more information, click here!

Carrots are high fiber food and 1 cup of chopped carrot makes for 1 serving of vegetable, that is approximately 3 carrots of medium size. Therefore, 1 carrot eaten as a snack or used in your cooked preparation is actually a benefit. . Carrots are a good choice if you have diabetes as their carotenoid and vitamin A content helps protect your eyes from diabetic retinopathy or damage to the blood vessels in the eye from long-term diabetes. For more information, Click here!

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Discalimer 
I am not a nutritionist or dietician. My knowledge and information is based on my research and reading from different resources. Please consult your doctor or dietician before making any changes to your diet.

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Other Entries from this week DFT featuring more soups.

Shailja’s Provencial Soup  

Apsara’s Cream of Asparagus 

Prachi’s Broccoli Almond Soup  
 

Swati’s Zero Oil oats and celery soup  

Anupama’s Sweet Potato and Squash Soup       
Chahat’s Peas Broccoli and Mint Soup    
Sarika’s Barley Soup  

Suchitra’s Butternut Squash Spicy Soup