Does a stew count as a healthy meal?

[TheGrinchIsComingToTown]

I'm having a bit of a debate with my mum.

I've made a chicken stew - chicken breast, carrots, peas, onions, potato and gravy.

She says it doesn't count as being "healthy", because of the potatoes. I think it does, because it's got a ton of veg and protein in it.

Basically just that. In the winter my healthy meal staples are stews and soups, but now I feel like they're not actually that good 😅

Yep, you are already doing more than most people. I was underweight for a while and the nutritionist told me to add butter into everything. He didn't have to tell me twice!

@BigBoysDontCry after a particularly nasty illness 5 years ago my dad was told he could have as much cream and ice cream as he wanted

He still cites that advice today 🤣

I think I've described it weirdly 🤣 I take the chicken breasts and roast (bake?) them in a tin foil parcel so all the juices stay in and they stay moist, and then pull them apart in a bowl once they're cooked, so the chicken is shredded, and then I mix it in with the boiled veg and gravy

It’s healthy but like someone else said it’s overall diet that’s important - so looking at portion size, obviously it’s quite carby so making sure you’re not overdoing the carbs at lunch etc, the gravy might be quite salty so making sure you’re not having other salty foods that day.

What is she on about? Potatoes are vegetables. People at both extremes have lost sight of what a normal, healthy diet is. There is nothing wrong with potatoes

For breakfast I usually have Greek yoghurt, chia seeds and fruit - I take frozen fruit and stew it down with just the water that's released from it, because the water that comes out of it otherwise makes me feel sick 🤣

Lunch will be meal prep so at this time of year that's always some sort of stew, soup, and then dinner will be the other meal prep that I've not eaten for lunch

@Katrinawaves it saved my life though. Potassium deficiency is fatal. It sounds silly, I obviously didn't eat enough in general. But the potatoes got me through! Haha.

That's not a stew. A stew is meat and veg cooked slowly together in stock or a sauce.

I’m sure it’s lovely, but I’m not convinced that’s really a stew??? Someone with probably be along to tell me I’m wrong 😑
Anyway, as long as it’s tastes good, who cares?!

Ha ha, I also have cream but not ice-cream because of the sugar. I'm glad your dad is still capitalising on it though!

I' went down to a BMI of 17, I'm now back to just under 22 and they'd like me to add on a few more pounds as a contingency against illness as it's easy to lose too much when you are ill especially as you get older - I'm sure that's your Dad;s plan! 😁

If my DH tried to tell me potatoes are unhealthy, he would find one every day in weird places like under a pillow, with a toothbrush, in his car, untill he would give up that ridiculous and insulting to potatoes notion😁

Agree with others that it's not a stew as stew stew, but sounds lovely and the rkasted chicken must add some nice flavour.
If you want to make it superb, add actual stock or broth instead of cube😉

Stew is the meat cooked in stock, then veg added & more stewing.

Best food going, even better if bones, etc are included as better stock, more nutritious but you carry on, tho I'd give up on the extra work if roasting personally.

Chocken stew would have the chicken cooked in with the veg and stock. You’d brown the chicken first but then add all the veg, stock and some cornflour to thicken it.

I've never done a stew like that, neither has my mum 😅 the thought of adding raw chicken to it makes me feel unwell 😅

Very healthy - as long as it's not swimming in oil or butter. Loads of veg - chicken is a low fat high protein food, the stock will be full of the veg vitamins, not leached out into the cooking water and thrown away.

You don't need to precook the chicken or the veg or potatoes. I would say you are overcooking everything and leeching all the nutrients. A casserole or stew is all cooked in one pot at the same time, on a low heat.

@KnittedCardi the water the veg is boiled in is used to make the gravy, so I don't lose anything, and the juices that come out of the chicken is put into that as well

What you are making is more like something you would put in a pie, under pastry.

Agree this isn’t a stew, but it doesn’t matter. It’s a good, wholesome meal.

250kcal is a tiny portion though. That’s about a toddler portion. 100g of chicken breast is just under 200kcal. I think your mum’s concern with potatoes is besides the point because you can’t be eating enough in a sitting to make a difference!

But you don't need to "make" gravy if it all goes in one pan. The juices come from the meat, which should be on the bone, and the veg, and any additional stock or wine etc

But back to your original question, yes it's healthy!

It's a full bowl, when I've made it later (meal prep Saturday, woo 😴) I'll post the breakdown on my calorie app to try and show it's a proper portion 😭

I feel like my entire life is a lie, how have I been eating a stew and it's not stew 😭🤣

I don't understand why. This is how stews, casseroles, curries, tagines and many similar dishes are made all over the world, and have been for thousands of years. Far less work than you're doing, less washing up, and more flavour.

The idea of peas swimming around in gravy makes me feel all icky!