Many diabetics have heard the warning: "Avoid chicken soup—it can raise blood sugar!" This has left many confused.

Chicken is high in protein and low in fat, so why is even chicken soup considered off-limits?

The truth is, chicken soup itself does not directly spike blood sugar, but some types of soups are not suitable for diabetics.

Let’s explore which soups diabetics should limit and why!

1️⃣ Why Are Some Chicken Soups Not Good for Diabetics?

When preparing chicken soup, many people add nutritious ingredients like goji berries, red dates, and ginseng, hoping to enhance its health benefits.
🚨 But these ingredients are the problem!

• Goji berries and red dates are naturally high in sugar. When boiled for a long time, their sugar dissolves into the soup, increasing the risk of blood sugar spikes.
• Ginseng, while not containing sugar, can affect blood sugar levels, especially when combined with other ingredients.
• Old hens (laying hens) contain higher fat content than young chickens. When cooked, they release more fat and purines, which can increase cholesterol, uric acid, and strain diabetic patients.

🔹 If you really want to drink chicken soup:

• Remove the chicken skin and skim off excess fat from the surface.
• Avoid adding high-sugar ingredients like red dates and goji berries.

2️⃣ Is Bone Broth Really Good for Diabetics?

Many believe that bone broth is rich in calcium, making it beneficial for diabetics.
❌ However, that’s a misconception!

• Bone broth contains very little calcium, while its fat content is extremely high.
• Long-cooked broths (such as pork or beef bone broth) are high in purines and fat, which can increase cholesterol and the risk of cardiovascular disease.

🔹 Better alternatives for calcium intake:

• Low-fat dairy products or soy-based foods (e.g., tofu, soy milk) are much better than drinking bone broth.

---

3️⃣ Is Fish Soup a Better Option?

Fish is an excellent source of high-quality protein, but when made into soup, its nutritional value changes.
🚨 Potential issues with fish soup:

• Most of the protein remains in the fish meat, not in the soup.
• Many people thicken fish soup with starch or flour, increasing carbohydrate content, which is not ideal for diabetics.
• Some fish soups include cooking wine (white wine, rice wine), which contains sugar and can affect blood glucose levels.

🔹 If you want fish soup:

• Choose a clear fish broth without added starch or sugary seasonings.

4️⃣ Soups That Can Cause Rapid Blood Sugar Spikes

Some soups are popular but not suitable for diabetics due to their high carbohydrate content:

❌ Pumpkin Soup

• Pumpkin is generally good for stabilizing blood sugar when consumed in moderation.
• However, when cooked into soup, its starch becomes more easily absorbed, leading to faster blood sugar spikes.
• If pumpkin soup includes sweet potatoes, lotus seeds, or Chinese yam, the glycemic impact increases significantly.

❌ "Eight-Treasure" Porridge (Multi-Grain Congee)

• This porridge often includes glutinous rice, oats, red beans, mung beans, red dates, and lotus seeds.
• Many of these ingredients have a high glycemic index, and when fully cooked, they cause blood sugar to rise quickly.
  👉 Diabetics who consume too much of this porridge risk dangerous blood sugar spikes!

5️⃣ So What Soups Can Diabetics Drink?

Not all soups are bad for diabetics! With the right choices, you can enjoy soup without harming your blood sugar levels.

✅ Light Vegetable Soups

• Tomato & Egg Soup: Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, and eggs provide protein without starch or sugar, making this an excellent choice for diabetics.
• Winter Melon, Seaweed, & Tofu Soup: Low-calorie, low-fat, and helps regulate blood sugar.
• Mushroom Soup: Mushrooms are high in fiber and vitamins, supporting insulin regulation.

✅ Lean Meat, Low-Fat Soups

• If drinking meat-based soups, choose lean meats (like chicken breast or lean pork).
• Remove excess fat and avoid overcooking to prevent too much fat from dissolving into the soup.

🔹 Key tips for drinking soup:
1️⃣ Don’t drink soup on an empty stomach—consume it with a meal to avoid sudden blood sugar spikes.
2️⃣ Skim off excess fat from the surface before drinking.
3️⃣ Limit sugary and salty seasonings, opting for natural, simple preparations.

Conclusion

🚨 Diabetics don’t need to completely avoid soup—they just need to choose the right types!

🔹 Soups to Limit:
❌ Chicken soup with high-fat ingredients like old hens, red dates, and ginseng.
❌ Bone broths that are high in fat and purines.
❌ Fish soups containing starch or cooking wine.
❌ Pumpkin soup & multi-grain porridge, which are high in starch and sugar.

🔹 Soups That Are Safe for Diabetics:
✅ Light vegetable soups (tomato egg soup, winter melon soup, mushroom soup).
✅ Lean meat, low-fat broths with minimal oil and seasoning.

👉 By choosing the right soup and drinking it in moderation, diabetics can still enjoy flavorful soups while maintaining stable blood sugar levels!