Okra and Diabetes: Benefits, Nutrition, and Blood Sugar Control

For diabetics, sustained healthy blood sugar readings are the top goal in health management. Okra is nutritious, tasty and beneficial menu addition that helps maintain good glucose control.

Features

• Okra is a vegetable, typically green in color and shaped like a long pod, with a double row of seeds inside each pod. Okra originates from Africa and the Middle East, but is grown and eaten internationally.

Nutrional Values

• According to CalorieKing.com, a serving size of raw, edible okra is approximately 3.4 ounces, or eight pods, containing 29 calories, 6.7g of carbohydrates, and 3g of dietary fiber.

Weight Control

• Low-calorie okra assists in weight loss or maintenance. It̵7;s easy to account for in daily meal planning for insulin-dependent diabetics, as it is low in carbohydrates.

Digestion

• Okra̵7;s high fiber content regulates absorption in the small intestine, slowing down sugar processing. According to NaturalFoodBenefits.com, okra promotes the growth of good bacteria, known as probiotics, sustaining a healthy balance for good digestion.

Cooking Tips

• Okra is frequently served battered and fried in oil, which negates the nutrition benefits and increases the fat content. Serving it raw, steamed or diced and cooked over low heat retains the vitamins and fiber of this delicious vegetable.