Chicken and Lentil Non Curry (Polenta Base)
- sideways64
- Mar 21
- 4 min read
If you don't know my story, here's a quick rundown before we dive into another delicious diabetes-friendly recipe!
Back in February 2020, just before COVID took the world by storm, my 34-year-old husband, who had astonishingly shed 23 kg over the previous few years without even trying, received a surprising diagnosis: Diabetes Type 1.5, also known as LADA - Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults. Even though I'm an RN with experience caring for diabetes patients, this was an entirely new adventure! Handling a hypoglycemic episode in a clinical setting was nothing compared to the challenge of dealing with a grumpy husband lying under a trailer, trying to fix it with a blood glucose level of just 2.1 mmol/L! His irritability was a clear signal that things were going south. But for me, was he just frustrated with the repair? Quick thinking was essential, and my clinical instincts kicked in with a swift finger prick revealing the not-so-great news! At the time, managing these situations felt completely overwhelming and, to be honest, quite scary. With two small children at the time, this diagnosis marked a major turning point in our lives on so many levels!
Over the years, I've cared for countless patients who seemed indifferent to their diabetes. This experience fueled my determination to address every aspect of the condition to prevent my husband from facing cardiac issues or losing a limb by age 40. It may sound extreme, but I've witnessed these scenarios firsthand in my nursing career! He turned 40 last year, and none of those complications have occurred—woohoo!
Diet played a crucial role in this journey, and I knew that some things had to change. It really was an undeniable dilemma! Inspired by the insightful advice from our wonderful physician, Dr. Peh, who emphasized that 'everyone should be on a diabetic diet,' I focused on selecting products for meals and understanding how they can be enjoyed in a diabetes-friendly way. Everything remained on the menu, but it was all about the approach! Making smarter choices daily was essential, and while decision-making can be challenging for some, it doesn't have to be!
Alright, let’s get clucking and lentil-ing! These two are the dynamic duo of diabetes-friendly foods—so why not throw them together for a meal that’ll have the whole family clucking for more? This dish is so delicious, it might just make your taste buds do the cha-cha! And if you’re feeling adventurous, toss in some chili for that extra kick. Just be careful—my kids think chili is some sort of fire-breathing dragon, so I usually keep it on the down-low. But hey, a little extra zing never hurt anyone!
Ingredients
500 g chicken breast chopped into bite-size pieces
1 x 400g can tinned tomatoes
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
500 ml water
2 tablespoons cumin
2 tablespoons turmeric
2 tablespoons coriander
2 tablespoons ginger (fresh or ground!)
2 tablespoons garam masala
3 x brown onions chopped
4 x garlic cloves chopped or minced
Juice of 1 lemon
1 x 400g tin lentils ( or any other lentils of your choosing!)
Method
Add oil to saucepan on medium heat.
Add cumin, coriander, onions, and garlic. Stir for 1-2 mins.
Add all other spices, chicken pieces, lemon juice, tomatoes, and water. Stir for another 2-3 mins.
Bring to the boil and simmer for 15 mins.
Add lentils and simmer for another 15 minutes.
Serve up on a base of yummy polenta OR whatever else tickles your fancy!
TIP: For the polenta base, if this is how you choose to go, just follow packet directions. I like to use milk and butter to make it extra tasty! Remember, portion size is the key when serving up, so we only needed a little to have with the meal to soak up the yummy sauces! Brown rice or Quinoa could also be part of the diabetes friendly options
Conclusion
In perfect alignment with my overall purpose, this dish was a breeze to whip up and tasted absolutely fantastic! Naturally, we sprinkled some chili flakes on the adults' plates, but leaving them off meant the kids—even the baby—could fully enjoy the deliciousness!
Chicken is such a great source of protein, and I am always finding new and improved ways to create innovative diabetes-friendly dishes with it. And lentils? Another fantastic source of protein, which is an easy and healthy additive. With their low GI and high protein content, they are something all of us, and particularly those managing diabetes, can consume regularly.
We all know lentils are a fantastic choice, but get ready for some exciting news! A 2022 study highlights the amazing benefits of lentils on blood glucose response when combined with protein, fiber, and carbohydrates. This research suggests that lentils might also help regulate insulin levels—how thrilling is that? While more research is needed, the possibility that lentils could be even better for our insulin levels than we thought is truly exciting!
There is a wealth of knowledge to explore about diabetes and food consumption, and it all starts with caring and mindfulness. Just like in the 1995 movie "Dangerous Minds," where the students' journey of caring began with a teacher who genuinely cared and showed interest. This straightforward behavior can ignite a powerful chain reaction of positive outcomes!
Let's dive into the exciting world of overnight glucose levels after enjoying this meal! While it's true that numerous factors come into play, we can focus on the intriguing aspect of the food we eat and explore how it might impact our bodies.
Focusing on the overnight levels, how impressive do they look! Time in range (between 4 and 10 mmols) is excellent after midnight. Polenta is recognized as diabetes-friendly; however, it has a moderate glycemic index, so it's essential to consume it in moderation. It can cause a gradual rise in glucose levels, which is acceptable, but consuming large amounts may lead to uncontrollable levels depending on other factors. As always, moderation is crucial!
Enjoy this dish and be careful not to let the lemon juice get up in your eye! Keep going...
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