Could cucumbers be your weight loss snack?

Maureen Diament

27 Jun 2015

updated the 6 October 2015 à 23:02

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Great for the figure
With only 10 calories per 100g, this is the champion of slimming vegetables. It contains 96% water, which gives it its freshness. Although it is not the richest vegetable for nutrients, it contains potassium for a draining effect and some vitamins. Its skin contains some antioxidant phenolic compounds and peroxidase - an enzyme that prevents cardiovascular diseases. Despite its small caloric density, it has a high satiety index. Great to fill yourself up as a starter.
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An antioxidant mine
Louis XIV loved cucumbers in his salads and soups, but they only had bitter varieties back then. Now cucumbers are sweet, crunchy and smooth thanks to the recent hybridisation that suppresses cucurbitacin.

In summer, the field crops gives them more flavour. There are also mini cucumbers from the Middle East and Noa, which are more stocky, with a slightly blistered skin and a more pronounced flavour.
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Adds taste to all sauces
Eaten raw, or flavoured with dill, cilantro, mint or curry, the cucumber is perfect. As seen in Greek tzatziki in thick cream or in juices, the cucumber is great for adding bulk without the calories. To give more flavour, grate the flesh with a coarse grid, add olive oil, chopped herbs and onion or finely chopped garlic. Salt lightly.
For a summer drink, mix 1/4 cucumber, peeled, de-seeded and cut into small pieces, with 1 glass of apple juice, 1 dash of lemon juice and 1 sprig of mint.
You can also peel, de-seed, and cut it into pieces for steaming. It is a great side to fish or chicken.

Did you know that the delicious cucumber is a great aid for weight loss? Find out how it could just become your next favourite snack.

Contrary to popular belief the skin of cucumbers actually aids in digestion, thank to the substance pepsin. However, sometimes you might need to peel them, especially if the skin is tough. If the cucumber is not organic, it is better to peel it off to remove pesticides.

The current varieties of cucumbers are not bitter, so it is unnecessary to let it disgorge before consumption. The seeds are hard to digest, so it’s better to remove them, at least partly. Choose young, firm and shiny cucumbers as they can keep up to a week.

You can cut them for lasagnas, spaghettis, cucumber sticks and even little balls and flowers to decorate your dishes. Remember to only prepare your cucumbers dishes when you need to so as to prevent them from softening.

Enjoy your meal!

Maureen Diamant

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Could cucumbers be your weight loss snack?

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