July 14th, 2017 | Updated on March 8th, 2024
Fast food breakfasts, lunches, and dinners you don’t have to feel guilty about. Most fast foods are polar opposites of healthy foods. Fast foods are high in trans fats, sugar and sodium, which can lead to obesity, heart disease and diabetes among other health problems.
Healthy foods, by contrast, are high in vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and protein, and they promote energy, good health and longevity. You’ll be counting down the minutes ’til you can make these healthy dinner recipes!
1. Summer farrotto
Pan-sear chicken in 1 Tbsp oil, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste, then dice. Sauté onion and squash with remaining oil. Stir in farro until coated in oil. Add 2/3 cup water, bring to a boil, stir, reduce heat, and cover. Cook 20 minutes or until soft. Stir in chicken, parsley, and cheese, and serve.
Calories: 490
2. Carrot Fettuccine With Mushrooms and Red Pepper
Here’s an equally satisfying, soft, and tender low-carb alternative to pasta that’s as easy to whip up as a bowl of spaghetti.
Calories: 478
3. Beef and veggie salad bowl
Cook quinoa as directed. Toss with greens, beef, broccoli, and pepper in a bowl. Whisk oil and vinegar for dressing.
Calories: 320
4. Mexican Tempeh Quinoa Salad
Made with cumin, cayenne, fresh lime juice, and cilantro, this filling dish offers zesty, fresh flavour that screams to be enjoyed with a margarita!
Calories: 353
5. Smashed Avocado Chickpea Salad
This creamy avocado chickpea salad throws together in less than 10 minutes, and you can even make a batch ahead of time to have a few days’ worth of meals all ready when hunger strikes.
Calories: 485
6. Bow ties with spring vegetables
Cook pasta as directed and toss with oil, vegetables, and mint. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Calories: 370
7. Paleo Shrimp and Grits
If your ultimate comfort food tends to be Southern-fried, this clean-eating shrimp and grits recipe will curb (and satisfy) those greasy cravings. Riced cauliflower simmers on the stove in a coconut milk bath to stand in for traditional corn grits, while fresh lemon, a little spice, and a touch of ghee make the shrimp portion of this classic dish much lighter.
Calories: 269
8. Half-homemade soup with asparagus
Bake chicken at 350°F for 25 minutes, then shred with a fork. Meanwhile, combine soup, quinoa, and kale in a saucepan, bring to a boil, and simmer until quinoa is done, about 15 minutes. Add chicken. Steam asparagus, then toss with soy sauce and ginger. Serve asparagus on the side.
Calories: 330
9. Broccoli Slaw Stir-Fry
This veggie-packed stir-fry has all the flavors you’re craving — but since broccoli slaw stands in for noodles, you save big on carbs and calories.
Calories: 345
10. Pork with veggies
Season pork with salt and pepper, sear in an ovenproof skillet coated with cooking spray, and transfer to a 450°F oven for 15 minutes. Slice and serve with green beans topped with almonds, and a sweet potato.
Calories: 370
11. Thai Beef Salad
This hearty, flavourful Thai beef salad is the perfect starter recipe if you’ve never cooked Thai food at home. Fresh, hydrating cucumber and romaine balance well with lean marinated beef for a filling post-workout dinner you’ll crave.
Calories: 452
12. Pizza party
Bake pizza. Blend slaw, beans, scallions, oil, and lemon juice, and serve on the side.
Calories: 400
13. Veggie Mac and Cheese
If you’re craving mac and cheese but are trying to cut back on pasta, this low-carb mac and cheese recipe is for you. Cheesy and creamy, this recipe lets Trader Joe’s versatile organic broccoli slaw stand in for traditional noodles, so you won’t leave the table feeling overstuffed and bloated.
Calories: 312
14. Baked chicken with mushrooms and sweet potato
In a 350°F oven, bake chicken, topped with mushrooms, chives, and oil, for 15 minutes. Microwave sweet potato for five to seven minutes.
Calories: 382
15. Slow-Cooked Mexican Casserole
This Paleo slow-cooked Mexican casserole is the perfect recipe to prep ahead on a Sunday afternoon for weekday breakfast-as-dinner days.
Calories: 386
16. Shrimp ceviche
Toss together, and dress with lemon juice.
Calories: 430
17. Broccoli Slaw Salad
Instead of fatty coleslaw, mix up this lightened-up broccoli slaw salad recipe instead. Served with lean protein like grilled chicken breast atop, it makes for a low-calorie, filling comfort meal.
Calories: 313
18. Light lasagna
Combine pasta, ricotta, sauce, and chili flakes, then crumble sausage on top. Add spinach, and let wilt.
Calories: 350
19. Chicken with cheesy broccoli soup
Steam broccoli and parsnips, then puree with stock and cheddar; sprinkle with nuts. Bake chicken, top with lemon juice, and season.
Calories: 360
20. Cilantro shrimp with squash, chard, and wild rice
Sear shrimp in olive oil over medium heat for three to four minutes, seasoning with cilantro and lime juice. Steam squash and chard for five to seven minutes, and cook rice according to package directions.
Calories: 370
21. Cauliflower Fettuccine Alfredo
Your guests will never guess that cauliflower stands in for cream in this ingenious dairy-free fettuccine alfredo recipe.
Calories: 300
22. Lemon chicken with gazpacho
Coat chicken with olive oil. Cover with lemon slices and rosemary, and bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes. Combine gazpacho ingredients in a blender, then serve at room temperature with chicken.
Calories: 414
23. Taco Salad
The homemade cilantro-lime dressing gives this taco salad a fresh and zesty flavour perfect for the warmer weather. The layered ingredients also offer almost 25 grams of both protein and fibre.
Calories: 468
24. Zesty tofu and quinoa
Lime juice not only adds zing to this dish—it also adds antioxidants that can wipe out stress, fight the signs of aging, and rejuvenate your body and mind.
Calories: 320
25. Sweet Potato Pizza
Cut the carbs but not the comfort with this high-protein, vitamin-A-rich sweet potato crust pizza.
Calories: 351
26. Vegan Bean Salad
After a hard workout, this vegan bean salad is the perfect, protein-packed refreshing meal. It has more than 13 grams of fiber and nearly 17 grams to fill you up and help your muscles recover.
Calories: 349
27. Confetti pesto pasta
Combine tomatoes, cooked green beans, diced chicken breast, pesto sauce, and salt and pepper in a bowl. Add cooked linguine. Garnish with shredded Parmesan.
Calories: 417
28. Avocado Shell Salad
No need for the oven for this refreshing dinner — avocado shell salad. It has 60 percent of your recommended fibre for the day, aids in digestion, and may even diminish belly fat.
Calories: 468
29. Asian turkey lettuce cups
In a nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, sauté first three ingredients for five minutes. Add edamame, scoop mix onto lettuce, top with scallion, and wrap up. Drizzle with sauce, and serve slaw on the side.
Calories: 329
30. Chicken and Vegetable Quinoa Bowl
For nights when you don’t have time to spend in the kitchen, this chicken and sweet potato quinoa bowl comes together fast. With 40 percent of your recommended daily intake of fibre and 20 grams of protein, it makes an ideal post-workout meal.
Calories: 409
source : popsugar.com.au, womenshealthmag.com
