Olive Oil Poached Cod with Tomatoes and Herbs
PCOS-Friendly Dinner

Olive Oil Poached Cod with Tomatoes and Herbs - PCOS-Friendly Recipe

Healthy and flavorful cod poached in olive oil with tomatoes and herbs.

25 minutes
2 servings
350 cal / serving

This Olive Oil Poached Cod with Tomatoes and Herbs is a PCOS-friendly recipe with 350 calories, 35g protein, and 15g carbs per serving. Ready in 25 minutes. High in fiber (2g), which supports insulin sensitivity.

Nutrition per Serving

350 Calories
35g Protein
15g Carbs
15g Fat
This recipe includes cod, a lean protein source, and olive oil, a healthy fat. The tomatoes add a pop of color and a boost of vitamins. Grocery list: cod, cherry tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, fresh basil, fresh parsley. The Glycemic Index (GI) of tomatoes is low, which is beneficial for PCOS.

Ingredients

Servings 2

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

  2. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.

  3. Add tomatoes and cook until softened.

  4. Season cod fillets with salt and pepper and add to the pan.

  5. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until fish is cooked through.

  6. Sprinkle with fresh herbs before serving.

This Olive Oil Poached Cod with Tomatoes and Herbs is a PCOS-friendly recipe that is high in protein and healthy fats, which can help regulate blood sugar levels and promote satiety. The tomatoes provide a good source of antioxidants and have a low GI, making them a great choice for those with PCOS. The olive oil provides monounsaturated fats, which can help reduce inflammation and improve heart health.

Why this Olive Oil Poached Cod with Tomatoes and Herbs works for PCOS

With 35g of protein per serving (about 40% of calories), this Olive Oil Poached Cod with Tomatoes and Herbs 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 15g of carbohydrates per serving, this Olive Oil Poached Cod with Tomatoes and Herbs 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 39% 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 Olive Oil Poached Cod with Tomatoes and Herbs recipe is designed to be PCOS-friendly. At 350 calories per serving with 35g of protein, it supports balanced blood sugar and hormonal health. It also provides 2g of fiber, which helps with insulin sensitivity.

This recipe takes about 25 minutes total. Prep time is 10 minutes and cook time is 15 minutes. It makes 2 servings, so you can meal prep for multiple days.

Per serving: 350 calories, 35g protein (40%), 15g carbs, 15g fat. Plus 2g 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 350 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.

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