Introduction

Meat, poultry and fish are the most concentrated protein sources in the human diet. In diabetes they are judged less by calories and more by their effect on insulin and by how they are cooked.

The Science

Not all protein stimulates insulin equally

Different proteins provoke different insulin responses. The amino-acid profile of red meat can stimulate insulin differently from chicken or fish, which is one reason lean poultry and fish are often gentler choices within a diabetes plan.

Cooking method is not neutral

High-heat grilling and charring can generate compounds such as heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Gentler methods — steaming, boiling or moderate home grilling — avoid the heaviest exposure, and draining canned fish and skipping heavy sauces keeps meals cleaner.

Lean and simple wins

Tuna in water, home-grilled chicken skewers and modest portions of lean cuts are practical, blood-sugar-friendly staples; oil-packed or heavily processed and sauced meats deserve more caution.

Want help turning numbers like these into a dosing decision? Flona estimates carbs and supports your insulin decisions every day.

Foods in This Category

266 foods from Meat, Poultry & Fish are covered in this encyclopedia. Each links through to a full safety and portion breakdown.

Showing 101–150 of 266 — page 3 of 6.

FoodSafety (well-controlled)Carbs / 100 g
Fried kibbehLower impact8.9 g
Fried shrimpLower impact9 g
Fried shrimp (breaded)Lower impact12 g
Fried shrimp (no coating)Lower impact1 g
Green beans stew no rice (with chicken)Use caution18 g
Green beans stew no rice (with meat)Use caution18 g
Grilled Beef Cubes (Tikka)Lower impact
Grilled calamariLower impact1 g
Grilled chicken breast (skinless)Lower impact0 g
Grilled Chicken Skewers (Shish Tawook)Lower impact1.5 g
Grilled fish filletLower impact0 g
Grilled shrimpLower impact0.5 g
Gulf majboos with chickenUse caution28 g
Ham salad spreadLower impact10.6 g
Ham, chopped, cannedLower impact0.3 g
Ham, chopped, not cannedLower impact0 g
Ham, mincedLower impact1.8 g
Ham, sliced, restaurantLower impact2.4 g
Haneeth (slow-roasted lamb)Use caution21.3 g
Hardee's beef burgerNeeds care17.3 g
Hardee's fried chicken sandwichUse caution23.8 g
Harees (wheat and meat porridge)Use caution18.9 g
HawawshiUse caution23.1 g
HORMEL ALWAYS TENDER, center cut chops, fresh porkLower impact0.8 g
HORMEL Canadian Style BaconLower impact1.9 g
HORMEL, cure 81 hamLower impact0.2 g
Kabsa with chickenUse caution28 g
Kabsa with meatUse caution28 g
Kebab (minced grilled meat)Lower impact
Kebab sandwich (medium, arabic bread)Needs care12 g
KFC chicken mealUse caution18.2 g
KFC chicken strips (3 pcs)Lower impact17.5 g
KFC fried chicken (2 pcs)Lower impact8 g
KFC, fried chicken, extra crispy, skin and breadingLower impact22.5 g
Kibbeh bil-saniyehUse caution10.4 g
Kofta tray tahiniLower impact4.2 g
Kofta tray tomatoLower impact3.2 g
Kofta tray with tomato and potatoNeeds care6.7 g
Kung Pao ChickenLower impact2 g
Lean Cuisine, Chicken Carbonara (Nestle Usa-Frozen Food Division)Lower impact11.4 g
Lean Cuisine, Chicken Fettuccini (Nestle Usa-Frozen Food Division)Needs care16.4 g
Lean Cuisine, Chicken Teriyaki (Nestle Usa-Frozen Food Division)Lower impact12.4 g
Lean Cuisine, Comfort Shrimp Alfredo (Nestle Usa-Frozen Food Division)Needs care11.8 g
Lean Cuisine, Pomegranate Chicken (Nestle Usa-Frozen Food Division)Lower impact9.4 g
Lean Pockets, meatballs & mozzarellaNeeds care32.3 g
Libyan bazin (barley dough with sauce)Use caution30 g
Mac & Chicken Sausage Big (Yummy Spoonfuls)Needs care17.7 g
Madfoon (Yemeni buried lamb)Use caution21.3 g
Madhbi (grilled meat on stone)Use caution21.3 g
MansafUse caution30 g

Safest Picks vs. Use Caution

Within meat, poultry & fish, some items are gentler on blood sugar than others even at the well-controlled level. Use this quick split as a starting point, then confirm portions in the full directory above.