Guest Post: Cucumbers and how to avoid diabetes

Today we have another guest poster, Suzanne Ault:

Will you be cool as a cucumber? Not only is the cucumber known for it’s capability to cool-down our bodies, it has also been seen to assist with jaundice, diarrhea, epilepsy, sore throat, conjunctivitis (redness of the eye) and swelling of extremities.

You should try deseeding the cucumber as the body can have trouble digesting the seeds. You can do this easily by cutting them in half and using a spoon to eliminate the seeds. You can also buy cucumbers that are already deseeded.

Fresh cucumbers are simple to add to salads. For an easy salad, just toss diced cucumbers with sliced red onions, red tomatoes and your favorite all-natural, low-fat balsamic vinaigrette. This can be a fast way to make a refreshing salad that reaps the benefits of cucumber.

A few tips and tricks for cucumbers:
- Unwaxed cucumbers do not need to be peeled but should be washed before cutting.
- Use half-inch thick cucumber slices as petite serving "dishes" for chopped vegetable salads.
- Mix diced cucumbers with sugar snap peas and mint leaves and toss with rice wine vinaigrette.
- For a refreshing cold gazpacho soup that takes five minutes or less to make, simply purée cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers and onions and add salt and pepper to taste.
- Add diced cucumber to tuna fish or chicken salad recipes.

Cool Cucumber Salad Recipe:

Ingredients:
- 3 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/4-inch slices
- 1 carrot, peeled and shredded
- 1/2 red onion, sliced paper-thin
- 1/3 cup minced cilantro

Dressing:
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tsp. honey
- 2 tsp. Reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
- Pinch dried red pepper flakes

Combine the cucumbers, carrots, red onion, and cilantro in a large bowl.

Combine the dressing ingredients. Pour dressing over cucumbers, cover, and refrigerate for an hour. Salad may be eaten with a fork. Serves 8.

Nutritional Values per Meal: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 25
- Calories From Fat: 10
- Total Fat: 1 gram
- Saturated Fat: .1 grams
- Cholesterol: milligrams
- Sodium: 50 milligrams (without added salt)
- Total Carbohydrate: 5 grams
- Soluble fiber: 1 gram
- Sugars: 3 grams
- Protein: 1 grams

About The Author:
Suzanne Ault writes for the diabetes recipes blog, her personal website on cooking suggestions to stop diabetes.