healthy ideas for meals

danielledimedio1985

okay so I'm looking to add some variety to my diet. I find myself choosing the same things over and over, and although they're healthy choices, one person can only eat so many egg white omelets, bowls of oatmeal, salad, and grilled chicken breast. the issue is, I need it to be rather convenient and nothing that is too complicated or time consuming. so I'm asking all you fellow MFPers, please share your HEALTHY favorite meal ideas. these don't need to fit under any certain category like high protein, or low carb, or low fat; however, if your favorites fit these then that's fine.

scooterman84

frozen salmon fillet in a pan over medium heat, then i chop it up after it is heated, when it is almost fully cooked i add about a cup of frozen vegetables. When the vegetables are heating up i add three-four egg whites and keep mixing the whole thing up until the egg cooks. I usually serve the salmon mixture over jasmine rice that is made in a rice cooker.... oh and don't be shy with the Franks Red Hot!

MissSusieQ

you should try what i do - i pick a day, once a fortnight, and make two massive batches of food. i portion it out, and freeze it so it's ready to go when i am - can't get much more convenient than only cooking dinner once a fortnight!
soups work well, curries, casseroles..

Izzwoz

This is a great website with recipe ideas between 200 and 400 cals:
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/recipes/special-diets/200-400-calories/

Used it a lot when I started out and some of the recipes have become my all time favourites! Have tried a lot of them, there were only a couple that I wouldn't make again. Absolute favourite is the pumpkin falafel, I could have it every day!

Hope this helps!

sweetsorrow18

One of my favorites is quinoa, with some grilled chicken, throw in some spices....fast and easy especially if you get frozen quinoa...

riveraphx

This is a great website with recipe ideas between 200 and 400 cals:
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/recipes/special-diets/200-400-calories/

Used it a lot when I started out and some of the recipes have become my all time favourites! Have tried a lot of them, there were only a couple that I wouldn't make again. Absolute favourite is the pumpkin falafel, I could have it every day!

Hope this helps!

gracias!

jesswait

Shrimp and wilted spinach with couscous (or quinoa). Sautee a serving of shrimp with some olive oil and garlic in a pan on medium heat, when the shrimp is nearly pink add about 2 cups of fresh spinach and sprinkle around 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. After the spinach wilts down toss with 1/4 cup (dry measure) cooked quinoa or couscous.

I like making this when I don't have much time (Takes around 7 minutes for the shrimp/spinach, 10-15 for the grain). This could work with chicken if you prefer. It also works nicely with scallops.

Feed_the_Bears

Pick up the recipe book "Clran Eating" it fuels fitness models.

bhfood

hi, these 2 have helped me a lot: skinnytaste.com and allrecipes.com, oh, yes and diabetic connect is great. happy clean eatin to ya. :drinker:

saraann4

Favorite recipes that I've tried:

http://www.emilybites.com/2012/04/cheesy-potluck-potatoes.html#more
http://www.campbellskitchen.com/Recipes/RecipeDetails.aspx?recipeId=24343
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2008/12/pasta-fagioli-64-pts.html
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/02/crock-pot-santa-fe-chicken-425-pts.html (totally recommend)
http://www.emilybites.com/2012/10/pumpkin-french-toast.html (delicious!)

Recipes that I've bookmarked to try:
http://www.laaloosh.com/2012/06/13/low-calorie-swedish-meatballs-recipe/#more-7099
http://www.emilybites.com/2011/11/layered-pasta-bake.html
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/09/lavash-flatbread-pizzas.html
http://www.chef-in-training.com/2011/12/crockpot-chicken-tortilla-soup/
http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/recipe_view/mexican_chicken/ (obviously would have to substitute in other ingredients like fat free soup)
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/09/baked-pasta-with-sausage-and-spinach.html
http://www.goudamonster.com/2012/09/creamy-basil-rotini/

Make blogs your best friend. You can find sooo many great recipes out there.

MissJanet55

This site posts easy menus for every night of the week:

http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/everydaycooking/weeklydinnerplanners/120312

You may need to do a little adaptation, they're not necessarily low calorie, but there is a nice variety and some great ideas here.

horseplaypen

We hardly ever eat out and my boyfriend, though trying to gain weight, is also very picky about not eating processed foods or too much gluten. So we tend to eat pretty healthy.

Tonight I made chicken breasts stuffed with sliced cherry tomatoes, goat cheese, and fresh basil with salt and pepper.

Other ideas...
- salmon cakes (mix ground raw salmon with a little bit of bread crumbs, beaten egg, ginger, garlic, sesame seeds, green onion, form into little cakes and bake. Serve with 50/50 soy sauce/rice vinegar dipping sauce)
- spaghetti squash tossed in olive oil with fresh parsley, sundried tomatoes, garlic, and cheese
- acorn squash stuffed with cooked rice, crushed walnuts, cranberries, and diced apple, then bake it
- portobello mushrooms stuffed with roasted tomatoes, goat cheese, and parsley, then bake
- turkey meatballs in tomato sauce with an egg (http://www.munatycooking.com/2012/11/moroccan-meatballs.html)
- imitation whole bowl with tali sauce (google it - it's basically black beans on rice or quinoa, avocado, olives, salsa, etc)

jkmiller82

I discovered my new favorite thing for dinner tonight. I pureed 1/4 cup cottage cheese (I use 4%, but you can go lower to cut calories) and 2 tbsp pesto until smooth. Then I boiled 2 oz. of whole wheat linguine and put a spoonful of the water in the the pesto sauce to thin it a little. I mixed the pasta with a cup of broccoli and added the sauce and tossed it all together. It was soooo yummy and good for you, but it felt like I was splurging on calories, but it's about 400 calories of creamy goodness. I'm still messing with the amounts of everything. I think I could have gone a little less on the sauce to cut more calories, but it was so good!

ndj1979

I use greek yogurt with freaking everything..

I'll make an omelet and cover it with greek yogurt..or put it in a baked potato..

Great lunch idea - six oz chicken breast + one container greek yogurt + eat smart broccoli slaw = chicken salad that tastes great and is waaay healthier..

For dinner I try to mix it up with grilled chicken, peppers, and onions with a little mozzarella over top ..or put some in a low carb wrap...

One serving pasta + one tbsp of olive oil + 1oz parmigian cheese + grilled chicken is good to ...

anifani4

I like boneless pork loin. Roast it, trim off all the fat and you have some very lean protein for dinner with any veggie combo you like. And the rest you can chill, slice thin, and use in wraps, on salads, chop and mix with mayo to make sandwich filling. it's a nice change from chicken breast.