Embedded Files
Choose from these low-calorie ideas that are flavorful, filling, and great for busy weeknights!
Choose from these low-calorie ideas that are flavorful, filling, and great for busy weeknights!
It’s easy to whip up a healthy smoothie at breakfast time or a low-carb lunch in between meetings, but dinnertime is a whole beast of its own. You want something that will keep you satisfied, will help you achieve your wellness goals, and will get positive reviews from the entire family. It seems impossible, but we have the best healthy recipes for weight loss that are perfect for weeknight cooking and are so good that you can add them to your regular rotation.
When making a dinner plan with weight loss in mind, aim to eat a nutritious, balanced meal that includes one or two servings of veggies, a serving of protein, whole grains, and sources of healthy fats, says Andrea Mathis, M.A., R.D.N., L.D., an Alabama-based registered dietitian and author of The Complete Book of Smoothies: 115 Healthy Recipes to Nourish, Heal, and Energize. “This combination of nutrients should help to keep you satisfied between meals, which can help to prevent frequent snacking,” she adds.
Plus, Mathis notes that weight loss doesn’t mean you need to restrict foods that you love. “Mealtime should be an enjoyable experience and provide you with a sense of satisfaction. When preparing your meals, try to focus on selecting a variety of wholesome, nutritious foods that you enjoy,” she says.
That means you can say goodbye to boring salads, flavorless chicken breasts, and joyless plates of vegetables. These healthy dinner recipes not only support weight loss, but they bring big flavor to your dinner table. So, nobody needs to know they're actually good for you.
1
Skillet Salsa Shrimp With Spinach and Feta
A 15-minute seafood spread is in your future with this decadent recipe. Your favorite jar of salsa quickly turns into the base for a shrimp, spinach, and cheese-packed dinner. Just serve with a side of chips or flatbread for the ultimate meal.
Get the recipe for Skillet Salsa Shrimp With Spinach and Feta »
2
Orecchiette With White Beans and Spinach
You don’t need to give up pasta forever just to lose weight. White beans and spinach bring a ton of filling protein and fiber to the one-pan dish for a 20-minute meal that hits all the food groups and flavors you love.
Get the recipe for Orecchiette With White Beans and Spinach »
3
Chipotle Chicken Fajitas
A 30-minute dinner that is good for you, packs a ton of flavor, and includes soft tortillas and cheddar cheese is our kind of dinner. Plus–it’s kid-friendly.
4
Roasted Chicken and Potato With Kale
The crowd-pleasing recipe packs in 38 grams of protein for a serving and is done in just 40 minutes. You’ll also get a flavor punch from green olives, herbs, and lemon for the ultimate sheet-pan weight loss meal.
5
Fish Chowder Sheet Pan Bake
This one-pan dinner is everything you love about the summer staple but in an easy weeknight package. Potatoes, bacon, onions, mustard, and delicate cod are roasted on a single sheet pan that comes together in 30 minutes flat.
6
Seared Tilapia With Spiralized Zucchini
Amp up spiralized zucchini with briny capers, fresh parsley, and bright lemon in this delicious summertime meal. For under 300 calories a plate, it’s a family favorite you’ll make again and again.
Get the recipe for Seared Tilapia With Spiralized Zucchini »
7
Easy Tempeh Lettuce Wraps
This 20-minute vegetarian recipe uses gut-boosting tempeh to create a delectable dinner. Plus, a final dollop of Greek yogurt at the end adds a lighter creaminess we can’t get enough of for meatless Monday.
8
Striped Bass With Radish Salsa Verde
A piece of beautiful bass is already a showstopping dinner, but top it with an herby salsa verde that combines crisp radishes and salty anchovy paste for a true culinary delight.
9
Spicy Tofu Tacos
Crumble up tofu with the heat of poblano peppers, chile, and garlic, and you get a healthy version of spicy tacos at only 230 calories per serving. Add with a delicious slaw or side salad for the perfect dinnertime plate.
Marisa Cohen is a contributing editor in the Hearst Lifestyle Group’s Health Newsroom, who has covered health, nutrition, parenting, and the arts for dozens of magazines and web sites over the past two decades.
Arielle Weg is the associate editor at Prevention and loves to share her favorite wellness and nutrition obsessions.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse