This time I want to talk about vegetables. By now, you probably know that you should eat your vegetables.
You’ve probably heard this time and time again by health professionals and likely your parents as well.
But are some vegetables better than others? You bet. While no vegetable is ever going to be harmful, per say, there are definitely certain vegetables that offer more by the way of nutrition and for keeping your calorie intake in check that you should know about.
So, which vegetables should be your focus? You want to be looking at the ones that have the greatest overall antioxidant content while also having the lowest amount of sugar. Adding a good dose of dietary fiber is also a tremendous benefit.
So, which will it be? Make your next vegetable choice from the following list.
1.Broccoli
As far as nutrient density goes, you simply can’t beat broccoli. Broccoli is loaded with antioxidants and is the perfect way to help fend off disease and keep your immune system strong.
Broccoli is also versatile as it can be baked, used in a stir-fry, eaten raw, served cold or hot, and the list goes on.
Broccoli is also a fantastic source of dietary fiber so can help to promote regularity and also help to keep your blood glucose levels in check.
2.Kale
Another great vegetable that you’ll want to add to your diet is kale. Kale is another very nutrient-dense option leading the pack in vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese, copper, vitamin B6, calcium, fiber, iron, vitamin E, vitamin B2, magnesium, potassium, folate, and vitamin B3. It’s essentially like eating a multi-vitamin each time you serve it.
Kale is most often used in salads. However, it can also be used to form wraps quite nicely and is also a terrific option to use in a stir-fry.
Kale is low in calories at only 36 per cup, so it definitely won’t put much of a dent in your total calorie intake for the day. For those seeking weight control, this is ideal.
3.Spinach
Moving on, if kale isn’t your favorite vegetable to consume, you’ll want consider spinach instead. Spinach is a fantastic source of antioxidants as well and will help to combat the free-radical damage that can lead to oxidation and eventually disease.
Spinach is also a great source of iron, which is notable as many vegetables don’t contain much iron. So, this is a nutrient you don’t want to fall short on. Those who are not getting sufficient amounts of iron consistently are more likely to suffer from iron-deficiency anemia, which then leads to fatigue while engaging in everyday activities, especially during exercise.
While you will get the best source of iron from eating red meat, if you aren’t a big meat eater, you need to find alternative sources, and spinach is one of the better ones.
4.Green Peppers
Finally, don’t overlook green peppers. Green peppers are incredibly high in vitamin C content, which is important for helping to combat free-radical damage and for keeping your immune system strong.
Green peppers are also a top option for delivering vitamin B6, vitamin A, folate, as well as vitamin E. Choosing the green peppers is wiser than choosing red or orange peppers because the green peppers contain far less sugar. You won’t get nearly the same blood glucose spike from these as you would from the brightly colored ones.
They have a less sweet taste and can be a perfect compliment to many dishes.
So, there you have some of the best vegetables to focus on if you are hoping to take your nutrition to the next level and get the most from your diabetic diet. A few vegetables you want to be especially careful about are carrots, corn, and peas. These contain more starch and sugar, so they are often not the most ideal options to be using.
Which vegetables do you find yourself eating most often?
Are there any that you keep going back to time and time again?
Download The Free Diabetes Cookbook Guide:
Free Diabetes Cookbook Guide
