If you’re looking to lose weight, you’ve probably heard of weight-loss drugs called incretin mimetics, sold under the brand names Wegovy, Saxenda, and Zepbound. This class of drugs was approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but after evidence showed their weight-loss benefits, the FDA began approving these drugs for the treatment of obesity.
These medications mimic a gut hormone that is released while a person is eating. This hormone works by suppressing appetite and creating a feeling of fullness. This results in a decrease in the amount of food and the number of calories consumed, which often results in weight loss.
For people who are obese or overweight, successfully altering the digestive process with these medications requires eating small meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients and fiber, as well as exercising every day.
All medications have side effects, but by eating a high-fiber diet, you can help reduce the possible side effects of bloating, nausea, and abdominal discomfort associated with incretin mimetics. So make sure your daily diet includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes for fiber and nutrients, as well as lean proteins, healthy fats, and low-fat dairy or calcium-fortified soy.
In today’s recipe, each chicken and potato wrap provides 30 grams of protein and only 271 calories. We used a delicious marinade of cilantro, lime juice, and garlic to season the tender chicken pieces, potatoes, and yellow bell peppers. If you don’t have purple potatoes, use red-skinned potatoes or fingerling potatoes.
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This recipe is perfect for an easy dinner at home. But it’s even better when prepared at a campsite and served to hungry campers who answer the call of “meal time”!
Bethany Thayer is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Henry Ford Health. For more recipes and health information, visit henryford.com/blog. For questions about today’s recipe, email HenryFordLiveWell@hfhs.org.
Coriander Chicken and Purple Potato Papillote Bags
Makes: 4 packs / Preparation time: 30 minutes / Total time: 1 hour (plus cooling time)
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons lime juice
2 cloves garlic, chopped
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 pound purple potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound chicken breast, cut into 1½-inch pieces
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 small onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
Combine cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, salt and pepper in a large microwave-safe bowl. Add potatoes to the bowl and toss well to coat.
Place the bowl in the microwave and microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir the mixture and microwave on high for an additional minute.
Remove from microwave and let cool.
Meanwhile, cut four 12-inch sheets of aluminum foil.
Once the potatoes have cooled, add the chicken, yellow pepper and onion. Mix well.
Divide the mixture into four equal portions and add it to the center of each sheet of aluminum foil in a single layer.
Fold the sides of the foil over the chicken, covering it completely and sealing the packets tightly.
Place the bags in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Remove prepared foil packets from refrigerator and place on baking sheet in a single layer.
Bake until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165 degrees F) and potatoes are tender, about 25 to 30 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let stand for a few minutes. Open the papillotes and serve.
Cook’s note: To cook these parcels on a grill, preheat the grill to medium heat. Place the parcels on the grill. Cover the grill and cook for 6 minutes. Using tongs, carefully turn the parcels over, being careful not to pierce the foil. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes more or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees F) and the potatoes are tender.
From Henry Ford LiveWell.
282 calories (20% of fat), 5 grams fat (1 gram sam. fat), 25 grams carbohydrates30 grams protein228 mg sodium83 mg cholesterol, 19 mg calcium2 grams fiber. Food exchanges: 3 proteins, 1 carbohydrate, 2 vegetables.
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