This Salmon and Quinoa Salad for PCOS is a PCOS-friendly recipe with 500 calories, 35g protein, and 40g carbs per serving. Ready in 35 minutes. High in fiber (6g), which supports insulin sensitivity.
Nutrition per Serving
Ingredients
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Place the salmon fillets on a baking sheet, season with salt and pepper.
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Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through.
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In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, spinach, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber.
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In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, and chopped dill.
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Pour the dressing over the quinoa salad and toss to combine.
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Serve the quinoa salad topped with the baked salmon fillets.
Why this Salmon and Quinoa Salad for PCOS works for PCOS
With 35g of protein per serving (about 28% of calories), this Salmon and Quinoa Salad for PCOS 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.
The 40g of carbohydrates here come paired with 6g of fibre, which slows glucose absorption and produces a flatter post-meal blood sugar curve. Fibre is one of the most under-rated tools for PCOS: it feeds gut bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids linked to improved insulin sensitivity, and it modestly lowers circulating androgens by binding bile acids in the gut.
Fat makes up about 40% 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.
Evening meals affect overnight insulin and morning blood sugar more than most women realise. Keeping dinner protein-forward and finishing eating at least 2-3 hours before bed gives your body time to clear glucose before the overnight fast, which improves morning fasting insulin readings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this Salmon and Quinoa Salad for PCOS recipe is designed to be PCOS-friendly. At 500 calories per serving with 35g of protein, it supports balanced blood sugar and hormonal health. It also provides 6g of fiber, which helps with insulin sensitivity.
This recipe takes about 35 minutes total. Prep time is 15 minutes and cook time is 20 minutes. It makes 2 servings, so you can meal prep for multiple days.
Per serving: 500 calories, 35g protein (28%), 40g carbs, 22g fat. Plus 6g fiber. 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 Dinner. At 500 calories, it fits within typical PCOS meal plan targets for Dinner. 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 Dinner
Each recipe you add to your rotation makes PCOS management easier. Variety keeps you from getting bored and quitting.
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