Okra, as a nutritious vegetable, has unique value in the field of weight loss and also requires attention to consumption.
1. Can Eating Okra Help with Weight Loss?
Okra contains a lot of fiber and pectin, which promote digestion, stimulate bowel movements, and prevent accumulation of waste leading to abdominal obesity. With very low calories, only 37 kcal in 100 grams of yellow okra, it can be easily burned off with moderate exercise after consumption. Therefore, eating okra not only does not cause weight gain but actually assists in weight loss and slimming.
2. Can You Eat Dried Okra During Weight Loss?
Dried okra retains most of the nutrients found in fresh okra. Though some active substances may be lost during sun-drying, the impact is minimal. Rich in dietary fiber and protein, consuming dried okra can promote a feeling of fullness. Its low calorie and low fat content make it suitable for consumption during weight loss, as it not only prevents weight gain but also reduces the intake of other high-calorie foods.
3. How to Eat Okra for Best Weight Loss Results?
Blanch okra in boiling water briefly until partially cooked, arrange on a plate, and season with a little soy sauce before consuming. This simple method without excessive seasoning adds minimal calories to the body, making it ideal for those aiming to lose weight. Especially in hot summers, it can help improve appetite.
4. Who Should Avoid Eating Okra?
– Kidney Stone Patients: Okra contains a lot of oxalic acid, which can worsen kidney stone formation in patients. It is best for them to avoid consumption or blanch okra before cooking to reduce oxalic acid content.
– Individuals with Digestive Issues: Okra salads might not be suitable for those with poor digestion, as the small hairs on okra’s surface can damage the digestive tract, leading to adverse reactions like diarrhea.
– People with Diarrhea: Okra is a cooling food, slightly cold in nature, which may stimulate the spleen and stomach, accelerating bowel movements and worsening diarrhea symptoms.
– Individuals with Spleen and Stomach Deficiency: Okra’s cold nature and abundance of cold energy, if consumed excessively, can increase internal cold energy, leading to symptoms like spleen and stomach deficiency, poor digestion, and diarrhea. Those with weak gastrointestinal function should be particularly cautious.
– Allergic Individuals: The mucin protein and surface hairs in okra may cause allergic reactions, irritating the gastrointestinal system and causing symptoms like diarrhea.
