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A Healthy Option for Thanksgiving Leftovers

Thanksgiving may have derailed your diet, but don't let that be the start of a diet downfall. Turn your turkey leftovers into a healthy (and diabetes-friendly soup) with this recipe.


Turkey and Barley Soup

Turkey and Barley Soup

  • Serves: 5
  • Serving Size: 2 cups
  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Cooking time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, peeled and diced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced (about 1.5 cups)
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
  • ½ cup quick-cooking barley
  • 4 cups fat-free low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups (about 10 oz.) shredded or diced cooked turkey breast
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps

  1. Add the olive oil to a soup pot (Dutch oven or stock pot) over medium-high heat.
  2. Sauté the onion, carrots, celery and mushrooms for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the onions start to turn clear.
  3. Add the barley, broth and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
  4. Add the turkey. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until turkey is heated, then serve.

Per Serving

  • Calories 220
  • Total Fat 4.5 grams (Saturated Fat 0.8 grams)
  • Cholesterol 45 mg
  • Sodium 440 mg
  • Potassium 720 mg
  • Total Carbohydrate 21 grams (Fiber 4 grams, Sugars 5 grams)
  • Phosphorus 280 mg

Recipe adapted from the Diabetes Cookbook: 300 Recipes for Healthy Living. Available from shopdiabetes.org

For other heart healthy, diabetes friendly recipes, go to the ADA’s Diabetes Food Hub at https://www.diabetesfoodhub.org/

Featured Image
turkey soup

Diabetes Clinical Nurse Specialist and Program Coordinator Terry is a Diabetes Clinical Nurse Specialist with more than 30 years of experience working with people with diabetes. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. and received her master’s degree from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.. Terry is board-certified in advanced diabetes management and is also a Certified Diabetes Educator. She was awarded a fellowship by the American Association of Diabetes Educators in 2012, one of 64 (please change to 75) individuals who have received this honor. She is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association and has held numerous volunteer leadership positions with both organizations. She loves helping those with diabetes successfully self-manage this chronic condition.

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