Vietnamese Savory Wrap – Banh Xeo

Today, its all about creating a kid friendly plate. Now this goes without saying that it has to be colorful and fuss free for the kids to give a green go. For the mamas, the food they serve the kids should have all the nutrition in the world and should be quick to whip up too. Off course with a diabetic kid to feed, the task becomes a bit more challenging. With this in mind, i am bringing some asian flavors which are easy to prepare, load up on nutrition and have a fun appeal to it. Presenting Veitnamese Savory Wraps – Banh Xeo.

I remember that as a kid, my mother usually wrapped the stir fried vegetables in the Indian roti flatbread for my school tiffin. As kids, we used to love that because it was like a surprise for me. I would have to munch on the wrap to discover the filling. She would also pack interesting sauces which she usually prepared from various sauce mixes and that would to make the whole wrap extra delicious. I was totally sold on that idea.. since childhood !

For this wrap though, I was not too inclined to go the usual tortilla wrap route so started thinking of other ingredient which could become the base of my wrap. Then my eyes fell on my recent purchase of a mill grinder and i got super excited to make my own flour. Just about the same time, i remembered this one dish i tried at a farmer’s market sometime last year and had adored it ! I think i got the inspiration i was looking for !!

Banh Xeo pronounced as Banh- say-oh is a Vietnamese street food crepe dish which is very popular in Vietnam.

Usually served with pork, ham and/or shrimps, these crepes are loved by everyone. I am creating a meatless version here with an overload of veggies and a tangy sweet-sour dipping sauce which the kids are bound to love 🙂

Vietnamese Savory Wrap – Banh Xeo

I cannot believe that i had not tried this dish earlier. Pretty to look at, fresh with bounty ingredients and no complicated flavors, this dish is a fun for all age groups. I would love to just pick it up, dip it in the dipping sauce and go munching on it ! For an adult, you can make it more fun by adding spices to the filling and the dipping sauce. So, lets read the benefits now :

• Turmeric 

Various research studies have confirmed the efficacy of turmeric in treating symptoms associated with diabetes. One remarkable property of turmeric that has been exploited for this purpose is its ability to reduce blood sugar. Therefore it is advised that diabetic patients already using medications to treat hyperglycemia should avoid turmeric supplements. Action of both the drugs can reduce blood sugar levels immensely and cause complications. Other symptoms like high fat levels, increased thirst, and frequent urination are also treatable by turmeric.

• Bean Sprouts

Bean sprouts are low in calories. A cup of raw bean sprouts contains only 31 calories. A cup of mung bean sprouts provides 1.9 grams of dietary fiber, making them a potentially significant source of fiber. Healthy adults should consume 14 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories in the diet, or 28 grams of fiber per day on a 2,000-calorie diet

• Tofu
  

Tofu may be especially beneficial for diabetics, because it is a complete protein that enables better regulation of sugar levels. In multiple animal studies, soy foods have been shown to lessen insulin resistance by increasing the synthesis of insulin receptors. However, this increased formation of insulin receptors only appears to occur in the presence of other dietary circumstances, like a moderate amount of polyunsaturated fat intake

• Coriander

In parts of Europe, cilantro has traditionally been referred to as an “anti-diabetic” plant, due to its wonderful ability to help lower cholesterol and lower blood sugar levels (it packs in a whopping 521 mg of potassium per 100 grams!). Individuals suffering from diabetes have problems regulating and keeping their blood sugar stable. Consuming cilantro and keeping sodium intake to a minimum, could help eliminate this effect. Cilantro’s health benefits also go past helping lower LDL cholesterol, but can also reduce hypertension by lowering blood pressure!

So, when are you making this dish and trying it out for yourself 🙂 Find more DFT recipes from Divine Spice Box HERE

Disclaimer I am not a nutritionist or dietician. My knowledge and information is based on my research and reading from different resources. Please consult your doctor or dietician before making any changes to your diet.

I am sure you have got some ideas for a veggie loaded wrap for your kid with this dish. For more ideas, the team DFT is here with their subs, wraps and rolls to mingle and create a platter of diabetic friendly dishes to choose from :