Looking for super basic ideas for chicken - low cal AND low sugar diet (<7 g sugar/meal)

apriljm82
apriljm82 Posts: 1 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Hey everybody!

I'm looking for really easy chicken ideas that I can incorporate into my diet. Currently, I'm eating fish and chicken with very little variation/seasoning.

Do you have any go to chicken basics that are low in calorie and sugar? I am getting out of a pre-diabetic zone right now and limiting my sugar to less than 25g per day.

I know how to cook, so I invite all methods (roast/bake, grilled, saute, slow-cooker).

I love savory and salty stuff! Garlic, onion, salsa, mustard, etc. all friends of mine...

Thank you! April

Replies

  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    All of my recipes have a lot of fruit and/or veggies in them so the sugar will be too high for you. Your best bet will be to get a good selection of herbs and spices (stay away from seasonings) and try different flavors for grilled chicken.
  • whatlunasaid
    whatlunasaid Posts: 173 Member
    One thing that I've been making for years and is always a hit:
    1. Lightly oil a casserole dish. Line the bottom with a layer of sliced onions and a layer of sliced tomatoes. Sprinkle with garlic and basil or cilantro.
    2. Layer chicken pieces on top (I usually use thighs, but breasts work as well.) season with salt, pepper, garlic, and basil+lemon juice or cilantro+lime juice.
    3. Toss some more tomato and onion on top, with more of the aforementioned spices. Don't be afraid to go heavy on the lemon/lime. It tenderizes the chicken.
    4. Cover and bake according to the weight and size of the chicken, uncovering for the last 20 minutes or so.
    5. Simply serve with rice, or use to make tacos (esp. if you used cilantro and lime). Pasta works too (for basil and lemon) but the sauce comes out watery, so keep that in mind.
  • jennypapage
    jennypapage Posts: 489 Member
    i keep it very basic. Roasted chicken legs/thighs/breast, with roasted vegetables as a side dish (carrot/zucchini/peas,broccoli/cauliflower) or boiled/steamed beets/broccoli/cauliflower and/or boiled/steamed potatoes.The seasoning is also quite plain.Either i buy something that has a mix of spices in it for roasting,or i just add things myself like curry powder,smoked paprika, salt,pepper, garlic powder, oregano, lemon juice and sometimes honey mustard.
    When i have the calories for it, i'll make a salad with roasted chicken, boiled potatoes, tomato, red onion, feta cheese, and coat that with a bit of olive oil, lemon,salt,pepper and oregano.Divine and very filling.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    I did find one:

    Garlic Parmesan Chicken

    5 clove, Garlic
    2 tbsp(s), Thyme, fresh
    0.25 cup, Parsley, fresh
    1 lb(s), Chicken Thighs, Boneless, Skinless
    16 ounce, Red Potatoes (Usda Source) quartered
    5 oz(s), Cheese - Parmesan, grated

    Place the potatoes in the bottom of a crock pot. Sprinkle garlic, thyme, 1/2 of the cheese, and parsley over them and toss. Lay the chicken thighs on top and sprinkle the remaining cheese over them. Cook on low 5-6 hours until done.

    4 servings, 394 calories per serving.

  • csail55
    csail55 Posts: 3 Member
    I just need some guidance and since people were sharing low sugar ideas, I thought this might be the place for my question. I am trying to change my goal for sugar gms daily, I want to lower it. I know I have seen the screen on where to do this, but I can't find it now....Anyone know?

    Thanks in advance!
    Colleen
  • qweck3
    qweck3 Posts: 346 Member
    My quick meal on the run that will hit all those benchmarks are the Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Chicken and Broccoli as well as the Chicken and Veggie Basil Pesto. http://www.healthychoice.com/simply-cafe-steamers/grilled-chicken-broccoli-alfredo

    For dinner I usually start with some chicken, add in a red onion, jalapeño pepper and green pepper. Spice it with black pepper, adobo and garlic salt. Some days I eat it just like that fajita style and others I mix in other things like green beans/broccoli or other veggies.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    I can't think of any recipe with chicken (other than my favorite tagine recipe that has dried apricot and lemon) that wouldn't be low sugar. People don't normally add sugar to chicken do they?

    I'm boring, though -- I mainly roast a whole chicken or skin-on, bone-in parts and then eat with roasted vegetables and maybe some starch (potatoes, sweet potatoes) or else a bunch of root vegetables roasted or winter squash.

    I sometimes make a bunch of skinless chicken breast (more commonly turkey breast) ahead in the slow cooker (cooked in water or broth with aromatic veg and spices for flavor) and then shred it and add it to a lentils or rice and black beans or a pasta dish. I also sometimes sautee chicken breast with a stir fry. I will do a salad (with lots of veg) and some chicken in that, or a spicy cucumber and tomato-based salad, often with a spicy dressing with sriracha, lime juice, and soy sauce (too high sugar?).

    Anyway, I wouldn't consider any of those things high cal or sugar, but it depends how large a serving you consume. I tend to lower cals by making the portion of vegetables high (and the chicken sometimes for protein), but if you are worried about sugar from veg, I dunno.
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