10 Best Diabetic Chicken Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way for a diabetic to eat chicken? ›

When following a healthy diabetes-friendly meal plan, fat should be eaten in moderation with a focus on lean meats. Eating skinless chicken breast is one of the best ways to enjoy meat that's not super high in fat. Also, using cooking methods to make your food that doesn't add fat is a good idea.

Chicken is one of the most budget-friendly and diabetes-friendly meats available. It's also easy to prepare and tasty, too! Having cooked chicken on hand makes preparing protein-packed meals a cinch. Precooked rotisserie chickens are widely available, but the sodium content is usually very high.

Chicken is rich in nutrients and protein and low in calories, making it ideal for people with diabetes trying to maintain a moderate weight and stay full for longer. Many people with diabetes aim to eat more healthily by eating protein-rich food. This makes chicken an ideal diet for diabetes as it is high in protein.

A serving of six frozen chicken tenders (17 grams each) contains about 538 milligrams of sodium. 14 That's almost a quarter of the amount of sodium recommended for one day. People with diabetes are already at risk for these problems, and too much salt increases that risk.

Research confirms that eating breakfast is generally a good idea—it can help with weight management, help you feel fuller throughout the day, and help keep blood glucose in range. Just because breakfast is important doesn't mean it has to be an elaborate meal.

Choose lean proteins

Some lean protein choices include chicken, lean ground pork and fish. These proteins are often used in Chinese main dishes such as Kung Pao Chicken with Bell Peppers. Plant-based proteins, such as tofu, are also found in Chinese dishes.

Shrimp can also be your meal of choice if you have diabetes. Generally, they are low in carbs and calories but high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. While shopping at KnowSeafood, you will come across different types of shrimp, such as: Jumbo Mexican Blue Shrimp.

Is peanut butter good for diabetics? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a healthy diabetes diet plan. Always look for peanut butter that contains only peanuts and maybe some salt. Avoid peanut butter that includes added sugars and hydrogenated oils.

Fatty fish—such as salmon, mackerel, and albacore tuna—are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats help prevent clogging of the arteries. The American Diabetes Association recommends eating fish twice a week. Choose baked or grilled fish, not fried.

Share on Pinterest In moderation, a person with diabetes may eat potatoes. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommend eating starchy vegetables, such as potatoes, as part of a healthful diet. Starch is a complex carbohydrate that takes the body longer to break down than simple sugars.

A person living with type 2 diabetes can include pickles as part of their diet in moderation. They may find that the pickle vinegar helps control their blood sugar level. A person should look for lower-sodium and no-sugar-added varieties to help reduce their sodium intake and prevent blood sugar spikes.

Favor poultry, fish, and lean red meats. When preparing these foods, don't fry them. Instead, you can bake, broil, grill, roast, or boil. Or have plant-based sources of protein, like beans or lentils.

Meat, fish, eggs, pulses, beans and nuts

One portion is: Cooked lean meat (eg chicken, beef or pork) = deck of playing cards (60–90g) Beans and pulses (eg red kidney beans, butter beans, chickpeas or lentils) = 4 tablespoons.

Is it possible to make fried chicken diabetes-friendly? Absolutely! Especially if you have an air fryer. This small appliance "fries" food with hot circulating air, so you can create the crispy, crunchy exterior or frying with a fraction of the fat and calories from traditional deep frying.

Fried foods

Deep-fried food such as French fries and fried chicken are not healthy choices. The food absorbs fat during the frying process, which isn't good for your cholesterol, heart health or weight while trying to manage diabetes. Try baking or broiling your food instead, recommends Cotey.