A diabetes-friendly stir-fry recipe has been shared by a top doctor that includes several blood sugar-lowering superfood ingredients. Dr Claire Bailey Mosley, wife of Dr Michael Mosley who sadly died last year, shared the recipe on BBC Morning Live’s Instagram account.
The health expert is a GP with a particular interest in promoting diet and lifestyle changes for weight loss, reducing blood sugars, and reversing Type 2 diabetes. She is also the author of The Fast 800 Recipe Book, which features low-carb, Mediterranean-style recipes for intermittent fasting and long-term health.
Earlier this week, the health expert appeared on the BBC One show to discuss how making simple, manageable changes to improve wellbeing was the philosophy of the late Dr Mosley. Dr Clare Bailey Mosley, together with Dr Oscar, told viewers the various ways to do this – including the benefits of a cold shower.
In the Instagram post’s caption, BBC Morning Live wrote: “Dr Clare Bailey Mosley specialises in helping people balance their blood sugars by encouraging them to make better food choices. Here’s her diabetes-friendly ginger and orange stir-fry, it’s packed full of lean protein and is low in sugar- give it a go.”
Many people were impressed by the stir-fry recipe in the comment section, with one replying: “This stir fry will be delicious – one of the best ways to quickly cook a scrumptious healthy dinner – thank you for posting.”
A second said: “Claire has done such a fantastic job this week – I love all the recipes! Thank you.” A third put: “Really enjoying seeing Clare on the show – all very interesting & always a great kick start in to the New Year.”
Dr Claire Bailey Mosley’s ginger and orange stir-fry:
The ingredients include:
- Two tablespoons of oyster sauce
- Zest of half an orange and one tablespoon of its juice
- 20g of fresh peeled ginger that’s been finely chopped
- One tablespoon of olive oil
- Two chicken breast fillets, very finely sliced
- 300g of shop-bought stir-fry vegetables
To make the stir-fry, first mix the oyster sauce, orange zest, juice, and ginger in a small bowl and set it aside. Next, place the oil in a wok over high heat. Once it is smoking hot, add the chicken and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes.
Add the veg to the pan with a splash of water and stir-fry for another 3-4 mins. Lastly, pour the sauce and cook for two more minutes before serving.
Why is the stir-fry is diabetes-friendly?
Orange, ginger and chicken can be helpful for people with high blood sugar
The stir-fry is made with orange zest and juice – and oranges can be good for people with diabetes if eaten in moderation. They have a low glycemic index (GI) and are high in fibre to slow down the absorption of carbohydrates, which can help stabilise blood sugar levels and reduce glucose spikes.
Oranges are also packed with vitamin C, which has been shown to improve glycemic control and blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes. Oranges’ antioxidants can also help fight inflammation, heart disease, and oxidative stress. Plus, oranges are rich in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure.
As for ginger, it may benefit people with type 2 diabetes in moderation as some studies show it can lower fasting blood sugar and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and boost insulin sensitivity. Ginger possesses antidiabetic properties by helping control hyperinsulinemia and reduce diabetic complications like micro-vascular retinopathy.
Ginger is brimming with biologically active compounds like gingerols, shogaols, parasols, and zingerone. All of which exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties.
Meanwhile, chicken is a great protein option for individuals with diabetes since it is rich in protein and low in calories and fat. Additionally, chicken has a low glycemic index, so it won’t cause spikes in blood sugar levels.
How to keep blood sugar levels down:
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You can find out if your blood sugar level is high by having a blood sugar (blood glucose) test. According to the NHS, symptoms of high blood sugar usually come on gradually and may only start when your blood sugar level gets very high. Common symptoms include:
- feeling very thirsty
- peeing a lot
- feeling weak or tired
- blurred vision
- losing weight
Common causes of high blood sugar in people with diabetes include:
- being unwell
- feeling stressed
- eating too much sugary or starchy food
- being less active than usual
- missing doses of diabetes medicine
If you have diabetes, it’s important to try to stop your blood sugar level getting too high. Make sure you take any diabetes medicine you’ve been prescribed, as your doctor or care team advises.
Also, avoid eating too much sugary or starchy food. Try to find ways to manage stress and exercise regularly. You should lose weight if you’re overweight, too.
Occasionally having slightly elevated blood sugar levels isn’t typically a major concern. However, if high blood sugar persists for an extended period or reaches dangerously high levels, it can lead to significant health issues. This may result in lasting harm to the nerves in your hands and feet, damage to your eyesight, and even severe conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis.