Is Chicken Good for Diabetics?

Are you suffering from diabetics? And you are a chicken lover? Then sometimes you must be wondering is chicken good for diabetics? Should I have it or not? There must be different questions on your mind. In this article, we will discuss everything. Be with us.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that is characterized because the body is unable to regulate the amount of sugar circulating in the blood. Consequently, there is too much sugar in the bloodstream. For the body to function normally, sugar levels are required to remain within a certain range. So, People with diabetes should adopt a special diet in order to control high glucose levels. 

Chicken is the healthiest food for people with diabetes. Chickens are high in protein and many are low in fat. By preparing chicken in a healthy way, it can be a great ingredient in a healthy diabetic diet plan.

Benefits of adopting a special diet in diabetics

Patients who face this chronic disease can suffer many consequences when they do not take the necessary measures. By improving everything related to food, there are a number of benefits that ensure a better quality of life.  However, we will bear in mind that the problem does not have a definitive cure.

The strict diet promotes blood sugar control and optimizes the production or use of insulin.  In addition, it also regulates blood circulation in case of associated complications.

Below we detail the benefits obtained:

• Stable blood pressure
• Prevention of visual difficulties
• Fatigue control
• Physical and mental well-being
• Healthy weight.

What foods should a diabetes diet have?

For starters, a diabetic diet is based on three main meals a day, at regular times. In addition, this allows the body to make better use of the insulin it produces or receives through medications.

However, doctors usually recommend a visit to a nutritionist, since each case can be developed in different ways. However, in general, there are some basic recommendations. 

Nutritional chicken value

Chicken is considered lean meat that is easy to digest, of which 100 grams equals about 130 calories. It is a lump of economical meat, very versatile and with great nutritional properties. It is one of the main sources of animal protein and is considered a healthy alternative to red meat.

Its nutritional properties vary according to the type of chicken. On average, protein constitutes between 18 and 20% of chicken. For 100 grams of it without skin, 20 of them are protein and 5 are made up of fat. These proportions vary according to the part of the chicken to consume. The breast has more protein and less fat in relation to the thigh.

It is meat very rich in B vitamins, mainly B3, folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamine. Niacin increases levels of "good cholesterol" and also helps maintain the health of the nervous system and digestive system. It is important for the health of hair, eyes, and skin.

Chicken meat contains choline, a form of lecithin. It protects the liver from changes towards cancer cells, in addition, it prevents the accumulation of cholesterol at that level. Other vitamins present in chicken in smaller quantities are vitamins A, E, and K.

In relation to minerals, iron stands out, since 100 grams of chicken contains 35% of the iron needed daily by an adult. Chicken has other minerals essential for body health. Selenium is the one with the highest concentration. It is an antioxidant and reduces the risk of prostate cancer and can improve asthma and bronchitis symptoms. Another mineral in chicken is phosphorus, good for the brain, it works with the B vitamins to help muscles contract and maintain heart and kidney health. Magnesium, zinc, calcium, potassium, and copper add to the important minerals found in the chicken.

As for fats, the unsaturated ones present in chicken meat help protect heart health. Among them is linoleic acid, a type of essential fat not manufactured in the body and therefore it is necessary to ingest it through the foods where they are present. Chicken liver is especially rich in vitamin B12 and iron, but it has a high cholesterol content.

Therefore, chicken is meat capable of benefiting virtually any diet. It is a protective food for diabetics and for anyone, due to the quantity and quality of the nutrients provided.

Chicken fat

The chicken has the pectoral muscles, those of the breast, adapted to the flight to give strength to its previous limbs or wings, and fulfill the function of flying.

In non-flying animal species, the previous members are used only for walking. This generates a great development of them and that is why the pectoral muscles are more proportionally reduced. This is the reason why the bird breast muscles are white flesh and have no fat between their muscle fibers, so developed.

The greatest amount of fat is located in the skin and in an adipose panicle located in the abdomen. Fats concentrated in these two places can be removed manually before cooking, whether they are whole chickens or their parts. In this way, most of the lipids and calories present in the chicken are removed.

The Chicken in the diabetic diet

Eating a balanced diet with a wide variety and adequate amount of food, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables of all colors, lean meats, eggs, skim milk, seeds, nuts, and vegetable oils are essential to protect the health of the diabetic patient.

Chicken plays an important role in the feeding of these patients, as it is a health-protective food due to the quantity and quality of nutrients provided, necessary at all stages of life.

In diabetic children and adolescents, chicken is tender meat, ideal for incorporating it among the first foods to supplement breast milk from 6 months of age. During childhood and adolescence, greater food needs are demanded and that is why foods with high nutritional density, such as chicken meat, are required. In a balanced diet, it has the necessary nutrients for the growth, development, and functioning of the body.

In adult diabetics, the unsaturated fats present in chicken meat is healthy for heart, which is necessary for adult age. These types of fats are necessary to prioritize in the case of diabetics with hypertension or high cholesterol. It supplies essential fats such as linoleic acid, essential to form the components of cell membranes and normal skin function.

Chicken thighs are important for diabetes as it contains high zinc. Do not forget to cook it without skin and roast or baked, it is not recommended to eat it fried.

Healthy chicken recipe for diabetics

Try some healthy tips to cook chicken for diabetics, so it is less likely to raise blood sugar. Try to remove chicken skin as it has more fat than other parts of the chicken. Use less oil, use olive oil or other healthy oils instead of butter. Try to cook it in the oven as it helps to keep the chicken healthy and tasty as well.

We offer one of the best food recipes for diabetics made with chicken.

Ingredients (for one person):

•  100 grams (¼ pound) of chicken breast without the skin
•  1 medium onion
•  1 tablespoon of canola or olive oil, preferably extra virgin
•  500 milliliters (½ liter) of skim milk
•  Natural lemon juice
•  Pepper to taste
•  Pinch of salt

Preparation:

•  Place the chicken breasts on a baking dish.
•  Season the chicken with pepper and onion, and add the lemon juice.
•  Cover with milk.
•  Bake about 20 minutes and you will get one of the best chicken recipes for diabetics.

Conclusion

Now you have learned that chicken is really good food for diabetics. One of the most essential things you should know is that these recipes should not include chicken skin. 

Chicken skin contains carbohydrates, which is one of the greatest enemies of diabetics.

It is better to consult a dietitian to know the best recipes, as professionals can guide you on what exactly should be included or avoided. Make different diabetic chicken recipes so that your diet is not so monotonous.