Spaghetti Bolognese (low carb style)

Spaghetti Bolognese has always been a beloved classic, and even though we don't have it as often as we used to, I was thrilled to revisit it with a twist! I decided to explore the Konjac range and incorporate them into this dish. To my delight, I discovered a new variety of these 'miracle' noodles—fettuccine style!

I found these again in Woolworths (health food section—not the noodle section) and they cost $4.10 per packet, so not the cheapest. Another daily dilemma individuals with diabetes face—the cost of eating better! However, as always, I advocate for doing what we can. Even in trying times, we can still try to make better choices if possible!

I'm always excited to be mindful and thoughtful about how we use ingredients! I love using tinned tomatoes and just a bit of tomato paste, then boosting the dish with extra beans for added nutrition and heartiness!

Ingredients

1 x Packet Natural Konjac Pasta ( as pictured )

500g mince ( I used lean pork and beef)

2 x Tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 onion chopped

3 x garlic cloves (minced or chopped)

2 x canned (diced) tomatoes

1 x carrot (chopped)

2 tablespoons tomato paste

Salt and pepper (to taste)

Moroccan seasoning - sprinkle

1 x canned cannellini beans ( any other type of beans would work too eg kidney)

Grated cheese (to add if desired!)

Method

1. Place oil in saucepan on medium heat

2. Add onion garlic and carrots salt pepper and moroccan seasoning

3. Stir for 3-4 minutes

4. Add mince and stir for 3-4 minutes till slightly browned

5. Add tinned tomatoes, tomato paste and beans. Feel free to add 1-2 cups water at this times also depending on how thick you like the sauce or weather you like it a little diluted.

6. Bring to boil , reduce heat and allow to simmer for 30 minutes or until sauce thickens

7. Meanwhile open packet of konjac pasta and rinse under cold water

8. Add to pot of boiling water and leave for no longer than 3 minutes ( this helps to reduce the rubberiness of the noodles!)

9. Drain and add to sauce mixture at any time

10. Serve up with lots of veggies and cheese if desired!!!

Conclusion

Another culinary victory! The texture is a bit of a surprise party for your taste buds—not your everyday spaghetti bolognese vibe. But fear not, this dish is so delicious it’ll have you doing a happy dance, and best of all, it fills you up without making you feel like you’ve swallowed a whole loaf of bread!

Trying to find diabetes-friendly dishes that all six of us will actually eat is like trying to herd cats—nearly impossible! But when I do stumble upon a winner, it becomes our weekly or fortnightly culinary celebration! The kids go wild for the sauce, and, let's be real, I sneak them some regular pasta. It's all about juggling everyone's taste buds and keeping our blood sugars in check!

Another overnight snapshot after eating. Glucose levels look decent overall, but there was a sneaky low in there. The rollercoaster of diabetes is a daily thing, and while we mostly stayed in range, those low blood sugar episodes are definitely not what we want, especially not at night. So to tackle this...

This lives on the bedside table permentantly!

Now for something a bit new and different, but also something that I have spoken about recently... our good friend, Time in Range!

Here is a screenshot showcasing a real-life example of 'time in range' over the last 14 days. I've discussed this in previous posts, and studies confirm that this marker is becoming a gold standard for diabetes monitoring, as our Endocrinologist has verified. Over the past 14 days, the time in range (between 4 and 10 mmol) has been 75%. This is impressive! While not perfect, it's significantly better than when we were on holiday, where it was around 50%—not ideal. We are human, but if we can make better daily choices, why not? These outstanding numbers bring joy to us and the many health professionals we consult!

Check out another fantastic picture! Here, you'll see an exciting 3-day snapshot of time in range and other impressive numbers, all thanks to CGM technology! An incredible 86% in range - wow! That's truly awesome to witness. It's all about those daily habits, folks! We may not be perfect and never claim to be... but we can definitely keep pushing forward and give it our all whenever we can!

Over the years, our lifestyles have evolved due to various factors, resulting in increased consumption of processed foods high in sugar and fat. These emerging habits significantly elevate the risk of health issues such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic illnesses. A 2023 study on modern food habits emphasizes that addressing these habits can effectively reduce the negative impacts of food consumption. Key recommendations include prioritizing whole foods, cooking at home (skip the food delivery services - they may be convenient, but think of all the money you could save!), practicing portion control (this is crucial!), embracing diversity (make your own choices!), scrutinizing labels, and most importantly, staying informed about all aspects of nutrition! https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373725788_Modern_Food_Habits_and_Its_Impact_on_Human_Health

Let's conclude with a quote from a remarkable book by an inspirational man who endured the worst of humanity and emerged to share his story with kindness and positivity—proving that anything is possible!

“A field is empty, but if you put in the effort to grow something then you will have a garden. And that’s life. Give something, something will come back. Give nothing, nothing will come back. To grow a flower is a miracle: it means you can grow more. Remember that a flower is not just a flower, it is the start of a whole garden.”

― Eddie Jaku, The Happiest Man on Earth