Should Diabetes and Kidney Disease Patients Avoid Soup Dishes?
One of the most common pieces of advice given to diabetes and kidney disease patients when dining out is, “You must avoid soup dishes.” But is it really necessary to avoid soup completely? In this article, we will explore the impact of soup dishes on diabetes and kidney disease patients, and share practical tips and methods to smartly choose or adjust soup dishes when dining out.
Why Should Soup Dishes Be Avoided?
1. High Sodium Content
Soup dishes often use large amounts of salt and soy sauce for flavor. Excessive sodium intake can lead to high blood pressure, swelling, and deterioration of kidney function, which is particularly risky for diabetes and kidney disease patients.
2. Carbohydrates Hindering Blood Sugar Management
Soups containing noodles or thickened with starch can cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. Thick soups with a lot of starch can negatively impact blood sugar control.
Practical Tips for Choosing Soup Dishes Wisely
1. Check Sodium Content and Request Adjustments
When dining out, ask about the sodium content of the soup dish and request reduced salt if possible. Many restaurants are willing to accommodate such requests.
2. Leave Most of the Broth
Even if you choose a soup dish, it is important to consume as little broth as possible. Leaving more than half of the broth and focusing on solid ingredients can reduce sodium intake by more than half.
3. Be Careful with Ingredient Selection
Opt for clear broth soups. Choose options rich in vegetables such as bean sprout soup, seaweed soup, and mushroom soup. It is better to avoid rich, salty broths like jjamppong and ramen.
4. Control Carbohydrate Intake
Avoid adding rice or noodles into the soup. Instead, consume them separately in small amounts. Choosing brown rice or konjac noodles can help better manage blood sugar levels.
Real-World Dining Examples
Mr. Kim (55 years old, diabetes, stage 3 kidney disease) Mr. Kim, who loves seolleongtang (ox bone soup), experienced frequent swelling after eating out. Following his doctor’s advice, he started leaving more than half of the broth and refraining from adding salt or pepper. As a result, his swelling symptoms greatly improved.
Mr. Lee (62 years old, diabetic kidney disease) Mr. Lee usually chooses vegetable-rich soups like seaweed soup or mushroom hot pot when eating out. By requesting “less salt” beforehand, he significantly reduced his sodium intake, successfully maintaining stable blood pressure and kidney function.
Comprehensive Tips for Healthy Dining Out
- Check the menu in advance
- Drink plenty of water after meals
- Maintain a low-sodium diet at home on dining-out days
- Take a light 30-minute walk after meals
- Regularly monitor blood sugar and blood pressure
4 Practical Tips for Healthy Soup Choices
- ✅ Request salt reduction: Ask for less salt or soy sauce
- ✅ Consume minimal broth: Focus on solid ingredients
- ✅ Choose clear broths: Seaweed soup, bean sprout soup, etc.
- ✅ Separate carbohydrates: Eat rice or noodles in small amounts
Post-Dining Checklist
- 🔲 Drink plenty of water after eating out
- 🔲 Maintain a low-sodium diet afterward
- 🔲 Take a light 30-minute walk after meals
- 🔲 Monitor blood sugar and blood pressure
Summary of Real-World Success Stories
- Mr. Kim (55 years old): Reduced swelling by leaving half the broth!
- Mr. Lee (62 years old): Maintained kidney health by choosing low-salt seaweed soup!
Conclusion
It is not necessary to completely avoid soup dishes. However, adjusting sodium and carbohydrate intake and making smart choices is very important. Refer to the tips and real-world examples provided here to maintain a healthy dining-out lifestyle!
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