Let’s face it. You want to eat well but you don’t want to sacrifice a hearty, delicious meal. And with a busy school and/ or work schedule, finding time to cook and eat right seems impossible. But there is a way! Here are my top 6 recipes (thank you, Pinterest!) for dinners that will rock your taste buds — and won’t end up on your thighs!
1. Chicken & Egg Fried Rice
I’m obsessed with fried rice. I could it eat by the bucket. But ordering it from Chinese restaurants is not only expensive but usually pretty fattening. Are you tired of ordering bland brown rice, though? Take a look at this recipe on a blog called Iowagirleats.com. Unlike restaurants that use a huge slab of butter and a generous dose of salt, this relies on soy sauce and a little kick of sesame oil. With brown rice, veggies, chicken, and egg (which you can always substitute with egg beaters for an even healthier choice) you won’t feel guilty. And, I kid you not, it tastes like its fresh out of a take-out carton. Yum. Quick and easy!
2. Chicken Parm
I’m Italian. Chicken parmesan is a staple in my diet. But pan-fried chicken parm slathered in cheese isn’t the healthiest choice. Check out this recipe on a site called Culinarytuesdays.com. Skim milk and olive oil cooking spray, in addition to baking the chicken instead of frying it in a vat of grease, are what’s going to make this dish perfect for a healthy meal. Best part? It’s actually yummy and you won’t walk away feeling so bloated. This dish will take a little longer to bake but leftovers are surprisingly good. Score.
3. Penne Alla Vokda
I always feel guilty eating penne alla vodka. All that cream and heavy cheeses tastes so good but I thought I’d have to swear it off for good (my addiction was becoming a problem) until I found this recipe on a site called Shrinkingjeans.net. Making the sauce (which requires a separate recipe you can find here) is a bit of a hassle but once you make it, you can store it and use it for ages. The secret ingredient here is Greek yogurt. It’s like magic; say goodbye to cream and hello to the healthy alternative that actually makes the dish taste the same. Finally, penne alla vodka without the guilt!
4. Lemon Garlic Tuna Burgers
Gals, I’m absolutely addicted to this recipe found on a great blog called Canyoustayfordinner.com. It’s beyond healthy (only 175 calories a burger without the bun!) but so filling and delicious. It’s not tricky to make (and you get to mush around the ingredients with your hands which is therapeutic!). Plus, it makes four burgers so you can refrigerate the rest and toast them on a panini or a George Forman a few days later for an easy meal. Opt for an english muffin as a bun and low-fat sour cream for a topping, and you’re good to go.
5. Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo
This recipe on Iowagirleats.com gives you the creamy richness of your classic alfredo sauce without the resulting food baby. The secret ingredient is Greek yogurt again (you’ll become addicted, beware!) and it works like a charm. If you use leftover chicken, this dish is extra quick too. Easy, fast, healthy…doesn’t get much better. P.S. Another tip for Greek yogurt: Take basic cake mix from your local grocery store, add fat-free Greek yogurt (skip the eggs and oil) and voila… only 180 calories per serving!
6. Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
This entire dish is 266 calories. I repeat, 266 calories. And this is loaded with flavors of beef, garlic, soy sauce, and more. Plus, the generous amount of beef and noodles are sure to keep you satiated for hours. Check out the recipe on Myrecipes.com (which basically has every recipe under the sun). Once again, this recipe made me feel like I was eating at an authentic Chinese restaurant. Not to mention, stir fry is probably one of the easiest and quickest things you can throw together after a stressful day of work!
Do you Lovelies have any healthy meal suggestions?
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guest
I love making fried rice at home! It is a great way to use up leftovers, and to make to your liking and much healthier because you control what goes in it. I wouldn’t say that brown rice is bland. It did take some getting use to when I first started eating brown rice because I had been eating white rice as long as I could remember.
To make most other dishes healthier, I employ some of the following options:* Replace high-fat ground beef with leaner ground beef, or ask the butcher to grind up trimmed lean cuts.
* Replace ground beef with lower fat choices such as ground turkey breast
* Replace meat with vegetarian options such as tofu or veggies* Reduce the amount of meat used with more vegetables
* Bake, broil, boil or steam rather than fry.
* Reduce the amount of fattening toppings, such as cheese or dressing. I prefer full fat versions over low fat and non fat options, but pick flavorful over bland cheeses. You can use smaller amounts of flavorful cheese
* You can still use oils and butter, but reduce the amount and use a nonstick or cast iron skillet
* Add flavor with chiles, herbs and spices rather than use fats such as butter or mayo or using salt
* Replace white carbs for whole grain versions
* Use drained nonfat plain yogurt or Greek yogurt in place of sour cream in sauces and dips.
I’m sure there are other methods, but these are the ones I use most often.
sunflower / 300 posts
I want to eat all of these meals, oh my goodness.
guest
Fat isn’t the thing you should be concerned about in those meals.
guest
these look great, i like the healthier ways of making them!
guest
YUM.