Help -- Side dish & Veggie Ideas -- Please

angieskia

I've finally made my 1st dinner plan. I have 13 Main Dishes with a few side dishes and veggies but I also have a lot of Blanks. Can someone take a look please and give suggestions that are easy to make as well as compliment the main dish?
I already Know the main Dishes aren't very healthy but I was trying to use what was already on hand 1st. If I'm able to make myself stick with the dinner Planning for 2 months, then I Plan to start fitting healthier ideas in.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/angieskia

afrase

Side salads with fat free or low cal dressing; baked fries (slice or cut potatoes sprinkle with pepper and bake); multi grain bread with spray butter instead of regular butter. Hope this gives you some ideas.

MarsChallenge

Since your main dishes are not the healthiest, make the best of your sides.
mixed veggies and salads are great. but cheesy toast w/a pasta dish.. not the best idea for weight loss.
mashed potatoes - not so great either.
Baked potato (or baked sweet potato) with skin is a better option.
Roasted veggies (cauliflower is my fav) w/olive oil and salt and pepper .. try all kinds of veggies. Once roasted, they take on a whole new name!
Quinoa is great and brown rice are other great options.
good luck to you.

WifeMomDVM

With chicken fried steak - steamed baby carrots with just a touch of butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon - just a touch.

With spaghetti - steamed broccoli

Tuna Helper - side salad (green) and some fresh cut up fruit

Lasagna - add side of green beans

Hamburger helper - add green sweet peas

Feta pesto chicken - rosemary olive oil potatoes

Pork tenderloin - long grain brown rice

Sloppy Joe - corn on the cob

OK, so all of my suggestions are not the cleanest/healthiest either - but that sure was fun!!!

Puddykat1026

With the spaghetti you can roast veggies & mix it in with the sauce. Eggplant, onions, peppers, tomatoes, etc work really well. I don't think Hamburger Helper really needs a side dish as it's meat & a side mixed together. Just add the veggie. With the pizza, get some wings and grill or bake them. Much healthier than frying and you get the protein. With the pesto & feta stuffed chicken, you can have a wheat pasta or quinoa. Sloppy Joe could have those sensible portions veggie straws (they're like chips, but made with veggies) and a side veggie. With the lasagna, do a salad with lots of veggies - cucumbers, tomatoes, hard boiled egg for protein.

lkm111

Here's a good (and different) way to make baby carrots. Microwave a 1 lb. bag for 8-9 minutes with some water in the bottom of the dish you use. Stir halfway. Then add 2 lbs. butter or spread, salt to taste and 1 t. dill weed (yes, that much). My daughter won't eat carrots any other way, and it's easy in the microwave. I always make them if I make Hamburger Helper.

Hope this helps fill in a spot!

jecka31

Spaghetti/Lasagna: salad (I like salads with Italian foods)

Tuna Helper: stir in peas into the Tuna Helper; don't worry about a side if its a pasta based helper

Pizza: a salad instead of a side (corn is a starchy veggie)

kellzroxs

check out this site www.skinnytaste.com tons of great low fat recipes!

SamanthaRiccio

I just had Roasted Chicken with rosemary and lemon on it for dinner last night with sides of roasted (chopped) potatoes and veggies! So good!

angieskia

WifeMom I actually REALLY like the side of green beans with the lasagna. Never Thought of that before. Thanx!!!

angieskia

I noticed Many Members Favored Potatoes here. I'm not a confident cook so I've never tried roasting, boiling, or baking potatoes before. Always just made them out of a box. These are counted as Starch right? I'll start experimenting with them after next payday.

Puddykat1026

I noticed Many Members Favored Potatoes here. I'm not a confident cook so I've never tried roasting, boiling, or baking potatoes before. Always just made them out of a box. These are counted as Starch right? I'll start experimenting with them after next payday.

Yes, they are a starch