Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe - Low Carb & Grain Free - Spain on a Fork (2024)

FAQs

Is cauliflower rice good for diabetics? ›

Carb-rich foods, especially ones made of simple carbs, tend to be high on the glycemic index (GI) scale. This means they may cause your blood sugar to rise faster than foods that have lower GIs. While white rice has a relatively high GI, cauliflower has a very low GI, making the swap a diabetes-friendly one.

That's because onions contain a lot of moisture, which can make your paella rice soft. 5. Don't cover the pan.

In addition, cauliflower rice is low in carbs. It provides only 3 grams of net carbs per cup (107 grams) — 18 times fewer carbs than the same quantity of rice ( 1 , 2 , 3 ).

Cauliflower has several properties that may help with weight loss. First, it is low in calories with only 27 calories per cup (107 g), so you can eat a lot of it without significantly increasing your calorie intake ( 1 ). It can also serve as a low calorie substitute for high calorie foods, such as rice and flour.

Without a doubt, cauliflower is beneficial for diabetes. The low GL value of this vegetable, allows diabetics to eat it without worrying about their sugar levels. The carbohydrates present in cauliflower are going to be digested and released into the bloodstream gradually. This helps in controlling blood sugar.

Obviously, cauliflower pizza is more “diabetes friendly” than traditional types of pizza with flour crust. It's not rocket science — fewer carbs means less spiking of glucose levels, so there's no need to “chase it” with large amounts of insulin.

Since Paella contains meats there is another concern beyond carbs and that is fat. While chicken is mostly regarded as lower in fat, you need to be careful about the types of seafood you put into it and also pork can be a bit high in fat content.

Sofrito. Sofrito is a flavorful mixture of onions, garlic, tomatoes, and peppers that is used as a base for many Spanish and Latin American dishes, including paella. It's often called the "secret ingredient" in paella, as it adds a depth of flavor and richness to the dish.

The broth, together with saffron and sofrito, a mix of olive oil, tomato, garlic, and paprika, are responsible for the paella's flavor. Lledo says that a cook should not overload the paella with ingredients, either meat or vegetables. He says limiting ingredients and letting each element of the dish shine is key.

Cauliflower rice is a low-carb alternative to traditional rice that may benefit people with diabetes. Also, it has a lower glycemic index (GI) than regular rice, which causes a slower rise in blood sugar levels. Additionally, cauliflower is a good source of fibre.

Is too much cauliflower rice bad for you? ›

While everyone's tolerance is different, too much cauliflower can create G.I. distress, like excess gas and bloating. “Make sure to drink enough water to move it through your system,” suggests Lincoln.

The fact that it's a vegetable makes cauliflower automatically good for you. Additionally, cauliflower is packed with nutrients that give it unique benefits, such as fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and choline. These properties give you a good reason to eat it frequently or even daily.

On the nutrient front, broccoli is slightly healthier, although cauliflower contains more folate and potassium. Both should be consumed regularly as they contain a slightly different balance of nutrients, antioxidants and phytonutrients and are extremely healthy options.

Using cauliflower rice, which is rich in fibre, will benefit weight loss. Moreover, the cauliflower will give you additional nutrients, making your meal healthier without sacrificing the flavour and taste.

What types of rice are most diabetes-friendly? The type of rice is important when selecting what to eat. It's better to eat rice that packs a nutritional punch. Brown rice, wild rice, and long-grain white rice include more fiber, nutrients, and vitamins than short-grain white rice.

It is best to choose brown or wild rice because these types have a higher fiber content than white rice, so it takes longer for the body to digest them.

Other Healthy Types of Rice for Diabetes

Other types of diabetes-friendly rice include: Wild rice: 35 g of carbohydrates per cup17. Brown basmati rice: 46 g of carbohydrates per cup18. Brown jasmine rice: 46 g of carbohydrates per cup19.