Pulses – Energy Food For Diabetics

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Pulses are the edible seeds of plants such as peas, beans and lentils (exclude green beans, green peas, soybeans and peanuts) which are members of the legume plant family. Pulses are great for energy because they are high in fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals, complex carbohydrates, low in fat and have no cholesterol. Food that are high in fiber, complex carbohydrates and essential nutrients are great for endurance energy. These foods usually have low glycemic index (GI) value; the lower the GI value, the longer it takes for your body to digest the food for energy. This is a good thing, especially if you are diabetic because energy is released at a steadier rate reducing blood sugar spikes. Pulses are also great for weight management because they digest slower which keeps the hunger away. The nice things about pulses is that they are versatile, inexpensive, easy to store and have longer shelf-life unlike fruits and vegetables.

Pulses cooking tips

• Buy pulses that are rich in color, the rich color means that the food is rich in nutrients.
• Before cooking, sort through the pulses (beans), discard any bad beans and debris. For best result, soak the beans for 6 to 8 hours before cooking them. Otherwise, soak the beans in hot water for about an hour.
• Cook pulses in boiling water until they are soft and tender for easier digestion, cover the pan with a lid to preserve nutrients. Salt them after they are cooked.

Pulses Benefits

• Helps prevent heart diseases by lowering blood cholesterol.
• Great for weight management.
• Helps control blood sugar levels.
• Reduce constipation.
• Good sources of iron and B-vitamins.

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