Soothing Chicken Noodle Soup Recipes for Diabetics

Indulging in Soothing Chicken Noodle Soup With Diabetes

When you're feeling under the weather, nothing provides more warmth and comfort than a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup. Fortunately, people with diabetes can also enjoy this classic feel-good dish when prepared mindfully.

Chicken noodle soup makes an excellent choice as part of a balanced diet for managing blood sugar. By selecting healthy ingredients and being aware of carb counts, you can make diabetes-friendly chicken noodle soup that doesn't compromise on flavor.

Benefits of Chicken Soup for Diabetics

Research shows chicken soup provides some extra perks for people with diabetes beyond its nostalgic appeal:

• The broth delivers hydration to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
• Chicken and vegetables supply protein and fiber to help you feel full and steady blood sugar.
• Anti-inflammatory compounds may improve insulin sensitivity and immunity.
• Hot soup may aid congestion from colds and soothe sore throats.

Tips for Diabetes-Friendly Chicken Noodle Soup

When making homemade chicken noodle soup, keep these diabetes-friendly tips in mind:

Choose Whole Grains

Opt for whole grain noodles or pasta like 100% whole wheat, brown rice, quinoa, or chickpea. These provide more nutrition without spiking blood sugar as much as refined grains.

Load With Veggies

Pile chicken noodle soup high with healthy vegetables like carrots, celery, onion, mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, kale, and tomatoes. The fiber helps regulate digestion and blood sugar response.

Use Lean Protein

Skinless chicken breast provides plenty of lean protein without excess saturated fat that may impact diabetes and heart health. Other lean options include turkey, beans, lentils, or tofu.

Limit Sodium

Cut back on table salt and salty ingredients like bacon, canned broths, and bouillon cubes. High sodium levels can increase blood pressure.

Skip Simple Carbs

Avoid egg noodles, crackers, rolls, potato, rice or macaroni in chicken soup, as these refined carbs make blood sugar rise rapidly.

Add Fiber-Rich Legumes

Mixing in fiber-rich beans, lentils, split peas or chickpeas boosts nutrition and satisfaction so less noodles are needed. The high fiber blunts blood sugar spikes.

Chicken Noodle Soup Ingredient Swaps

With a few simple substitutions, you can turn an ordinary bowl of chicken noodle soup into a diabetes superfood:

• Noodles: Replace egg or wheat noodles with bean thread, shirataki, or spiralized vegetables like zucchini or carrots.
• Chicken: Try plant-based swaps like pan-fried tofu, steamed tempeh, white beans, or veggie chicken substitutes.
• Vegetables: Mix in more non-starchy veggies like kale, spinach, cabbage, mushrooms, peppers, onions, and green beans for added nutrition without spiking blood sugar.
• Grains: Rather than egg noodles or rice, use 100% whole grains like quinoa, farro, brown rice, buckwheat, or whole grain pasta for more fiber and nutrients.

Evaluating Commercial Chicken Noodle Soups

When choosing pre-packaged chicken noodle soup at the grocery store, read labels carefully and watch out for excess carbs, sodium, fat, and preservatives in the ingredient list. Canned and boxed chicken noodle soups often have added sugars and flavor enhancers that can aggravate diabetes.

What to Look For

Seek out commercial chicken noodle soups with:

• At least 5-10g protein per serving
• Plenty of vegetables and beans
• Whole grain or vegetable noodles
• No more than 600mg sodium per serving
• Short ingredient lists with recognizable components
• No added sugars or preservatives

What to Avoid

Stay away from store-bought chicken noodle soups containing:

• Egg or wheat noodles
• Refined grains like white rice or pasta
• Cream or oils which increase fat and calories
• Hydrogenated oils that contain trans fats
• Excess sodium from bouillon, soy sauce or preservatives
• Hidden sugars like dextrose, sucrose, high fructose corn syrup
• Artificial flavors, colors and MSG

Chicken Soup Recipes for Diabetics

Whipping up homemade chicken noodle soup allows you to control the ingredients for the perfect diabetes-friendly meal. Here are some tasty recipes to try:

Veggie Packed Chicken Soup

This easy recipe maximizes nutrition by packing in all kinds of satisfying vegetables like zucchini, spinach, carrots and tomatoes. Bean pasta boosts fiber and protein.

Zoodle Chicken Soup

For an incredibly low-carb soup, swap traditional noodles for spiralized zucchini noodles. Add spinach for vitamin C and beta carotene, which may regulate blood sugar.

Mediterranean Chicken & Chickpea Soup

Chickpeas give a protein punch while tomatoes, onion, garlic, spinach and herbs turn this soup into a nutrient powerhouse. It's full of satisfying Greek flavor.

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

Let your slow cooker do the work with this set-it-and-forget recipe! Just throw in chicken, vegetables, herbs and whole grain pasta in the morning for dinner that's ready when you get home.

Quick Chicken & Dumpling Soup

Enjoy old-fashioned chicken and dumplings flavor without all the carbs in doughy dumplings. Cauliflower florets stand in for dumplings in this clever, blood sugar-friendly recipe.

Precautions for Chicken Soup & Diabetes

While chicken noodle soup can be a healthy choice for people with diabetes, keep the following factors in mind as well:

Portion Size Matters

Even diabetes-friendly chicken noodle soup should be enjoyed in moderation. Limit portions to 1 to 1 1/2 cups per meal and partner with non-starchy veggies and healthy fats.

Check Your Blood Sugar

Monitor your blood sugar levels 1-2 hours after eating chicken noodle soup made with whole grains, starchy vegetables or beans. Everyone tolerates carbs a bit differently. Adjust portions if needed to keep blood sugar in your optimal range.

Consider Low-Potassium Options

People with diabetes and kidney issues may need to restrict high-potassium foods like potatoes, sweet potatoes, beans, tomato and winter squash in chicken soup. Substitute with carrots, green beans, zucchini and spinach instead.

The Takeaway on Chicken Soup for Diabetics

With mindful ingredients and proper portion control, chicken noodle soup can be a hearty, soul-satisfying meal for people with diabetes. Focus on whole food components like lean protein, non-starchy vegetables and fiber-rich whole grains or legumes over refined carbs and sodium.

Whip up batches of homemade chicken noodle soup and freeze for quick, healthy meals. Or scout grocery aisles for low-sodium soups with wholesome ingredient lists. With the right recipes and products, you don't need to miss out on this ultimate comfort food.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.