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.

People with diabetes can eat pasta but should choose whole grain types or wheat alternatives. They must also consider portion size and what they choose to accompany the pasta. A person with diabetes needs to consider the types of carbohydrates, or carbs they choose to eat.

Eating a healthy breakfast is important for everyone, especially for people who have diabetes. A morning meal can help keep blood sugar steady throughout the day.

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.

Fried Chicken Restaurants

In general, poultry is a smart choice while following a diabetes-friendly diet—except when it's breaded or dipped in flour and fried. This version adds not just carbs but saturated fat and calories as well to menu items at restaurants like KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) and Popeyes.

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.

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.

Choosing a whole grain crust or a crust made with almond flour or cauliflower can also boost your fiber intake. Plus, a crust made with almond flour or vegetables like cauliflower tends to be much lower in carbs than regular pizza.

A tuna salad recipe for people with diabetes is not really different than a recipe for someone without diabetes. Typical tuna recipes will use canned tuna, mayonnaise, chopped celery and or chopped onion. To cut back on the saturated fat and total fat, fat reduced mayonnaise can be substituted.

Choose lean meat, poultry and fish. Remove any visible fat and discard the skin from poultry before cooking. Choose low-fat dairy products like semi-skimmed or skimmed milk, reduced-fat cheeses and low-fat, unsweetened yogurts. Poach, steam, grill, boil or bake foods rather than cooking with added fat.

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.