Healthy eating definitely has a bad reputation. Why is that? Well, most people think that healthy foods are boring, take too long to make, and worst of all- taste bad.
But healthy food doesn’t have to fall under any of those categories. Actually, healthy food should be fun, indulgent and really really tasty.
That’s why we are giving you 3 recipes for healthy meals that are flavorful, quick, and still good for you.
Related: 5 Carb-Filled Foods to Eat to Lose Weight
1. Zucchini Pasta with Garlic Shrimp
Substituting zucchini noodles for regular pasta has a ton of health benefits. They have less calories, are packed full of essential vitamins (zucchini is a vegetable after all), are gluten free, and contain low carbs. Pairing them with shrimp creates a power couple designed to give you ample nutrients for the day!
What you’ll need:
- 4 medium zucchini
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 5-2 lb bag of shrimp
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped basil leaves
- 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes
- 1 lemon to squeeze
- Salt + pepper to taste
What to do:
- You can use a vegetable peeler or a vegetable spiralizer to peel your zucchini into noodles. You want them to be the size of a regular spaghetti noodle, so trim them as needed
- Add your olive oil, red pepper flakes, and garlic to a large pan and set to medium heat. Once you start to see bubbles forming, add in your shrimp and cook until they have a visible sear and are a little bit crispy
- Remove your shrimp and add your butter, lemon juice from your squeezed lemon, and chicken broth to the skillet
- Add your zucchini noodles, parsley, and basil to the pan and heat for 1-2 minutes until warmed
- Remove and combine shrimp and pasta. Add salt and pepper as needed
- Serve + enjoy!
2. Stuffed Turkey Peppers
We all know that peppers are rich in nutrients and antioxidants, but why would we fill them with turkey? Ground turkey is rich in phosphorus, potassium, and iron and oh yeah, it’s delicious! It also serves as a great source of protein and is low in fats. Turkey helps increase your body’s energy and has been proven to help lower cholesterol levels as well. So go ahead and indulge!
What you’ll need:
- 5 green, red or yellow peppers
- 1-1/4 pounds extra-lean (93/7) ground turkey
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
What to do:
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Cut your peppers in half and remove all seeds. Place them in a non-stick pan coated with cooking spray
- Add your olive oil to a large pan over medium heat. Toss in your ground turkey and seasonings with your onion and garlic. Cook until turkey browns then take off heat.
- Add in your bread crumbs, tomato, and cheese
- Fill peppers with your turkey mix and add paprika. Heat in oven for 20 minutes or until peppers are heated all the way through
- Serve + enjoy!
3. Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
If you love cheese, but you don’t love carbs, then this recipe is perfect for you! Cauliflower contains tons of nutrients and fiber which helps to promote weight loss, so you don’t have to feel guilty about indulging a little. Plus, the taste is hard to beat!
What you’ll need:
- 1 head of cauliflower
- 2 ounces of lite cream cheese
- 2/3 cup shredded cheese
- 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt + pepper to taste
- Parsley
What to do:
- Cut your cauliflower into small florets like you would with broccoli
- Boil 6 cups in a large pot of water and boil your cauliflower for about 5-6 minutes, then drain water
- Put cauliflower back in the warm pot over low/medium heat and add your seasonings
- Add your cream cheese and other cheeses until they are melted and creamy
- Garnish your mac and cheese
- Serve + enjoy!
