In the present times when life is getting busier and busier with every passing day, maintaining your health is of immense importance. A balance between proper diet and physical activity has become necessary for everyone who wants to stay healthy during these times.
However, the availability of junk food, the presence of fast-food chains after every kilometer and the growing usage of food delivery applications is making it difficult to stay healthy.
People usually spend hours working in front of a screen and then binge eating delicious but yet unhealthy junk food. Junk food is slowly replacing our healthy staple diet and is leading to numerous health issues that include fatigue, stress, depression, deficiencies and digestive problems etc.
Breakfast and dinner are thought of as the most important meals of the day. These meals should fulfill all your nutrient requirements, but they need to be healthy as well.
The people looking for healthy yet delicious alternatives for all the junk food they have been consuming can try the following six recipes. These recipes are not only healthy but also weight friendly and flavorful. Dinner prepared by following these recipes will surely help you to look forward to maintaining a healthy routine.
1. Chicken and Broccoli
Chicken and broccoli is one of the most delicious combinations and both of these come together to make a flavorful dish that is easy to make and equally delicious.
The ingredients used are very basic. In a pan add two teaspoons of olive oil and then add one chicken breast cut into small cubes with 2-3 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté the chicken until tender then dishes out the chicken and add 2 cups of broccoli in the pan and add ¼ cup of broth so that the dish has a little gravy.
Add salt and pepper to taste and 1-2 teaspoons of soy sauce just to enhance the flavor. When the broccoli is done, add the chicken that you had put aside and mix it well. You can serve it with a side of quinoa, brown rice or even pasta. Rather than going for processed pasta, take out your pasta machine maker and make homemade pasta from scratch.
2. Chicken and Pepper
Chicken and pepper is another dish that brings together vegetables and meat in a mouthwatering form. For the recipe add 1-2 chicken breasts into small cubes. Add the cubes in a bowl and add 1 ½ tablespoon of soy sauce and vinegar. To lighten the sour taste, you can add a teaspoon of brown sugar or honey.
Add salt and black pepper to taste and mix the chicken with the spices well and marinate it for at least 30 minutes. In a pan add two teaspoons of olive oil and one teaspoon each of ginger and garlic paste.
Fry it until brown and then add the marinated chicken with the marinade. Once the chicken is tender, add two bell peppers, cut into strips. Cook it for another 5 minutes, and the dish is ready. Serve it with a side of quinoa or brown rice.
3. A Veggie Alternate
On the days when you do not feel like indulging in the meat, this healthy and hearty salad is your leafy alternative to your usual meaty dinner. Take 4 cups of salad greens of your choice, one chopped and seeded green bell pepper, and 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut into halves and ¼ cup almonds.
Mix all these into a big bowl. In another bowl mix ½ teaspoons of oregano and Dijon mustard, one tablespoon of olive oil, ¼ teaspoon of salt and pepper and two tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar. Whisk all the ingredients for the dressing together and add it to the bowl of salad. Mix it well and enjoy your healthy and hearty salad for dinner.
4. Chicken Pasta with Sundried Tomatoes
Pasta is one of the dishes which has numerous variations, can fit any of your requirements and is hard to resist. Do not assume that pasta is out of option when looking for healthier dining options. This pasta recipe is your savior. Start with boiling the whole wheat pasta. Add a pinch of salt and a few drops of oil to the water and let it come to a boil.
Once the bubbles appear, add the pasta and let it cook until it’s done. When the pasta is boiled, strain the water and put the pasta aside. In another pan add two tablespoons of olive oil; add minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sauté these ingredients for a few minutes.
Next, add the chicken cut into cubes and cook for a few minutes until it starts turning brown. Then add cottage and parmesan cheese mixed with Greek yogurt to give the pasta a creamy texture. In the end, add baby spinach and basil and cook for another few minutes and mix it well. Your creamy chicken and sundried tomato pasta are ready.
5. Beef Stew
Good things take longer to get done. This beef stew is one of those things, it might take 4-5 hours to cook, but it is definitely worth it. Take ½ kg lean stew beef and marinate it with salt and pepper and then coat it with flour. Grease the pot with oil and place the beef in the cooker.
Add 1 cup beef broth, two tablespoons of tomato sauce, ½ cup baby carrot, two medium potatoes, one medium onion, 1 cup of frozen corn kernels, 1 cup of green beans, garlic and thyme into the cooker. Cover the pot and cook for 3-4 hours or until the beef and vegetables are cooked. In the end, garnish it with freshly chopped herbs and your delicious and fulfilling dinner is ready.
6. Grilled Chicken with a Side of Sautéed Vegetables
Take a chicken breast and marinate it with salt, pepper, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice. Add in herbs if you desire to as it will add some extra flavor to the meat. Set it aside for at least 30 minutes. Take a grilling pan and grease it with one tablespoon of olive oil, place the chicken breast onto the pan then cook it for 5-6 minutes on each side.
Cook for a few extra minutes if it’s not tender enough. In another pan, add garlic and then add one bell pepper, one tomato, one zucchini, one carrot and ½ cup of baby corns. Sauté the vegetables for a few minutes and then dish out the grilled chicken and serve it with sautéed vegetables.
These recipes are healthy and are also made from everyday ingredients that are easily available. These dishes are a delicious alternative to all your junk food. You can also come up with your own recipes by making a few alterations to these recipes. I hope these recipes will be helpful for you in maintaining a healthy routine.
Author Bio:
This post is written by Line Arias who has been working as a nutritionist for ten years now. She recently collaborated with health and fitness spa, NYC, and since then, she has been working on weight loss’ meal prep plans.