PCOS-Friendly Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad with Lemon Dressing
PCOS-Friendly Lunch

PCOS-Friendly Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad with Lemon Dressing - PCOS-Friendly Recipe

A nutrient-dense salad perfect for a light lunch or side dish.

15 minutes
2 servings
250 cal / serving

This PCOS-Friendly Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad with Lemon Dressing is a PCOS-friendly recipe with 250 calories, 8g protein, and 20g carbs per serving. Ready in 15 minutes. High in fiber (6g), which supports insulin sensitivity.

Nutrition per Serving

250 Calories
8g Protein
20g Carbs
15g Fat
Grocery list: kale, brussels sprouts, lemon, olive oil, honey, almonds, salt, pepper. This salad is low in GI, making it perfect for those with PCOS.

Ingredients

Servings 2

Instructions

  1. Remove the stems from the kale and chop into bite-sized pieces.

  2. Trim the ends off the brussels sprouts and slice thinly.

  3. In a large bowl, combine the kale and brussels sprouts.

  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the juice of one lemon, olive oil, and honey.

  5. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.

  6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  7. Top with chopped almonds before serving.

This salad is packed with nutrients beneficial for those with PCOS. The kale and brussels sprouts are high in fiber, which can help regulate blood sugar levels. The almonds provide a good source of protein and healthy fats, which are essential for hormone regulation. The lemon dressing not only adds a burst of flavor, but also provides a good dose of vitamin C. This recipe is quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for those busy days.

Why this PCOS-Friendly Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad with Lemon Dressing works for PCOS

The 20g 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 54% 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 PCOS-Friendly Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad with Lemon Dressing 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.

At 200mg of sodium per serving, this PCOS-Friendly Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad with Lemon Dressing fits comfortably within the 1500-2300mg daily target most cardiology and PCOS guidance agrees on. Lower-sodium meals are useful for women with PCOS who also experience bloating or who are managing blood pressure alongside metabolic concerns.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, this PCOS-Friendly Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad with Lemon Dressing recipe is designed to be PCOS-friendly. At 250 calories per serving with 8g 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 15 minutes total. Prep time is 15 minutes. It makes 2 servings, so you can meal prep for multiple days.

Per serving: 250 calories, 8g protein (13%), 20g carbs, 15g 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 Lunch. At 250 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.

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