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Add This Cucumber Kimchi Veggie Starter Before Meals

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The easiest veggie starter to add to a healthy diet

Hi everyone,

Sammy here! I wanted to share this extremely simple, 2-ingredient veggie starter recipe with you. This is something I discovered myself, after experimenting with veggie starters before meals (as recommend by Glucose Goddess).

Cucumber kimchi slices are so easy to make that I can hardly call it a recipe, BUT… It helps reduce cravings, makes you feel full and add probiotics to your diet. Enough reasons to try it. 😉

Sammy

Try this PCOS-friendly cucumber kimchi veggie starter before meals

I first got introduced to veggie starters by Jessie Inchauspé (@glucosegoddess). Eating an extra serving of vegetables before a meal seemed a little weird to me, but she was adament about the benefits: it was help balance your blood sugar, thus improve your PCOS insulin resistance!

I’ve since experimented with several veggie starter variations, but this one is my favorite by far. It’s easy to make and to take to the office with me. My energy increased and I started feeling more satiated by my meals.

Eating vegetables before meals offers several health benefits. Here are some advantages:

Increased Nutrient Intake: Vegetables are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Consuming them before meals ensures that you prioritize their intake, allowing you to maximize your nutrient intake and support overall health.

Portion Control and Weight Management: Vegetables are low in calories and high in fiber, which helps promote feelings of fullness. By starting your meal with vegetables, you can fill up on nutrient-dense, low-calorie foods, potentially reducing your overall calorie intake and supporting weight management goals.

Blood Sugar Regulation: Many vegetables have a low glycemic index, meaning they cause a slow and steady rise in blood sugar levels. Consuming vegetables before a meal can help stabilize blood sugar levels, preventing rapid spikes and dips that may contribute to insulin resistance or metabolic disorders.

Improved Digestion: Vegetables are rich in dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and promotes bowel regularity. By incorporating vegetables into your meal routine, you support a healthy digestive system, prevent constipation, and potentially reduce the risk of gastrointestinal disorders.

Enhanced Nutrient Absorption: Vegetables contain certain compounds that aid in the absorption of other nutrients. For example, the presence of vitamin C in vegetables can enhance the absorption of iron from plant-based sources. By consuming vegetables before your main meal, you optimize the absorption of essential nutrients from other food items.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Benefits: Many vegetables are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, such as vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. These substances help protect the body against oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, and potentially lower the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Increased Vegetable Consumption: Prioritizing vegetables before meals can lead to an overall increase in vegetable consumption. By making vegetables a regular part of your pre-meal routine, you establish a healthy habit that encourages you to incorporate more vegetables into your diet, ultimately improving your overall nutrient profile.

Why cucumber and kimchi support your PCOS journey

Okay, now that you’re all on board the veggie starter train… Let’s talk cucumber and kimchi! This particular combination is not just refreshing, it helps support you on your PCOS journey too.

Cucumber are a low GI vegetable that does not spike your blood sugar. It does, however, make you feel hydrated and adds extra fiber to your day. Even just a few slices of cucumber daily can have an anti-inflammatory effect and clear up your skin.

Kimchi, on the other hand, is the one ingredient that is actually many. They’re a combination of vegetables that have been fermented. Although I used to hate this term (who wants to eat something fermented), kimchi is actually incredibly healthy for you! In Korea, most families eat a bit of kimchi with every single meal.

Consuming kimchi can help support a healthy gut microbiome, which is crucial for individuals with PCOS. A balanced gut microbiome may contribute to improved digestion, reduced inflammation, and better hormone regulation.

Let me know if you’ve tried this veggie starter before your meals!

This post shares Sammy Sandshoes’s cucumber kimchi veggie starter recipe.

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Hi, I’m Sammy, the founder of PCOS Mag. As a 33-year-old woman with PCOS, I’m passionate about empowering others on their journey. I created PCOS Mag as a positive space for the PCOS community.

With a hormonal condition that so broadly impacts our lives, and all the frustration that come with that, it’s our real life experiences that matter. There’s no one-size fits all when it comes to treating your symptoms. PCOS Mag aims to provide varied views, so that you can get inspired on how to move forward. Always be safe and consult a professional when making changes.

Thanks for stopping by, and I can’t wait to get to know you better!

Sammy