This Thai Peanut Shrimp Curry is a PCOS-friendly recipe with 909 calories, 54g protein, and 27.4g carbs per serving. Ready in 84 minutes.
Nutrition per Serving
Key PCOS-Friendly Ingredients: Fish is a good source of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Shrimp is a low-calorie source of protein and selenium. Broccoli is contains indole-3-carbinol which supports healthy estrogen metabolism.
Adequate protein intake is crucial for PCOS management as it helps stabilize blood sugar levels and reduces cravings. Dietary fiber slows the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, which is particularly important for managing the insulin resistance often seen in PCOS.
Baking and roasting are excellent cooking methods for PCOS-friendly meals as they require minimal added fat while developing deep flavors. This recipe pairs well with a side of leafy greens or a simple mixed salad to add extra fiber and micronutrients to your lunch.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Start by adding 2 tbsp. coconut oil in a pan over medium heat.
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When the coconut oil is melted and the pan is hot, add the 1 tsp. roasted garlic, 1 tsp. minced ginger, and 1 spring onion (chopped). Allow to cook for about a minute, then add 1 tbsp. green curry paste, and 1/2 tsp. turmeric.
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Add 1 tbsp. soy sauce (or coconut aminos), 1 tsp. fish sauce, and 1 tbsp. peanut butter to the pan and mix together well.
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Add 1 cup of vegetable stock and 1 cup of coconut milk (from the carton). Stir well and then add another 1 tbsp. green curry paste.
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Let simmer for a few minutes. In the mean time, measure out 6 oz. pre-cooked shrimp.
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Add 1/4 tsp. xanthan gum to the curry and mix well.
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Once your curry begins thickening up a little bit, add the broccoli florets and stir well.
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Chop 3 tbsp. fresh cilantro and add to the pan.
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Finally, once you are happy with the consistency of the curry, add the shrimp and lime juice from 1/2 lime, and mix everything together.
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Let simmer for a few minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
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Serve! You can stir in 1/4 cup of sour cream per serving.
How This Recipe Supports PCOS Management
Understanding the nutritional profile of what you eat is a powerful step in managing PCOS. Here is how the key ingredients in this Thai Peanut Shrimp Curry contribute to your health goals:
- Fish: Supports anti-inflammatory pathways important for PCOS management
- Shrimp: Selenium supports thyroid function which is often affected in PCOS
- Broccoli: Rich in fiber, vitamin C, and chromium which aids blood sugar control
- Coconut: May support metabolism without spiking blood sugar
- Turmeric: Research suggests curcumin may improve insulin resistance in PCOS
PCOS Diet Principles in This Recipe
The PCOS diet focuses on three core principles: reducing inflammation, managing insulin resistance, and supporting hormonal balance. Every recipe in our collection is evaluated against these principles. This recipe excels in providing protein-rich ingredients that help regulate appetite hormones (ghrelin and leptin), and anti-inflammatory spices that target the chronic inflammation underlying PCOS. As part of a balanced PCOS meal plan, we recommend pairing recipes like this with a variety of nutrient-dense foods throughout the week to ensure you are meeting all your micronutrient needs.
Meal Prep Tip: This Thai Peanut Shrimp Curry can be prepared ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Meal prepping is one of the most effective strategies for sticking to a PCOS-friendly diet, as it removes the temptation to reach for processed convenience foods when time is short.
Why this Thai Peanut Shrimp Curry works for PCOS
With 54g of protein per serving (about 24% of calories), this Thai Peanut Shrimp Curry sits at the top end of the 25-35g per-meal range that the 2023 International PCOS Guideline recommends for managing insulin resistance and supporting lean mass. Higher-protein meals also blunt the glucose response when carbohydrates are included, which matters for women with PCOS because chronic insulin elevation drives androgen excess and irregular cycles.
At 27.4g of carbohydrates per serving, this Thai Peanut Shrimp Curry is on the lower-carb end, which suits women with PCOS who have confirmed insulin resistance or who notice strong post-meal energy crashes. Pair lower-carb meals like this with a generous portion of non-starchy vegetables to keep fibre intake up.
Fat makes up about 62% of calories in this dish. Dietary fat plays a load-bearing role in PCOS because sex hormones are synthesised from cholesterol, and very-low-fat eating can suppress hormone production over time. The 2023 PCOS guideline does not specify a strict fat target, but most clinicians recommend at least 25-35% of calories from a mix of monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and saturated sources.
Lunch is where most PCOS meal plans either succeed or collapse. A meal like this Thai Peanut Shrimp Curry that combines adequate protein, fibre-rich carbs, and fat keeps blood sugar stable for the rest of the workday and reduces the late-afternoon energy crash that drives sugar cravings around 3-4pm.
PCOS-Friendly Foods in This Recipe
This recipe contains the following foods that may benefit PCOS management: Broccoli.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this Thai Peanut Shrimp Curry recipe is designed to be PCOS-friendly. At 909 calories per serving with 54g of protein, it supports balanced blood sugar and hormonal health.
This recipe takes about 84 minutes total. Prep time is 39 minutes and cook time is 45 minutes. It makes 2 servings, so you can meal prep for multiple days.
Per serving: 909 calories, 54g protein (24%), 27.4g carbs, 63g fat. PCOS meal plans typically aim for 30% protein, 35% fat, 35% carbs to support insulin sensitivity.
Yes, this recipe works well as a PCOS-friendly Lunch. At 909 calories, it fits within typical PCOS meal plan targets for Lunch. Pair it with other PCOS-friendly foods throughout the day for balanced nutrition.
This recipe can be part of a structured PCOS meal plan. It makes 2 servings, making it great for meal prep. For a complete weekly plan tailored to your PCOS type, take our free 60-second quiz at pcosmealplanner.com/pcos-quiz to get a personalized 7-day meal plan.
Cook Another PCOS-Friendly Lunch
Each recipe you add to your rotation makes PCOS management easier. Variety keeps you from getting bored and quitting.
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