These Quick and Healthy Recipes Make Losing Weight So Much Easier
When you're trying to lose weight, your meals need to be healthy, flavorful, and fast. If you've grown tired of the foods that are currently in your rotation, these quick and easy recipes will be a welcome change. Yes, you'll find staples like chicken, soup, and salad, but these low-cal meals are anything but boring. We're talking Asian stir-fry, a tzatziki-topped Greek chicken bowl, versatile turkey meatballs, and so much more.
What's (almost) as amazing as how delicious these recipes are is how quickly they can be prepared. Most can be prepped and cooked in under 30 minutes! Keep reading to find your new staples.
Cashew Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
Shrimp cooks in a flash, and two of these tasty wraps clock in under 170 calories. You'll love the Asian-inspired sauce and crunchy cashews on top.
Get the recipe: cashew shrimp lettuce wraps
Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry
Because stir-fries are cooked over high heat in a wok or large sauté pan, they make some of the fastest meals. Serve this blend of chicken, tender veggies, and teriyaki sauce over brown rice or cauliflower rice.
Get the recipe: teriyaki chicken stir-fry
Baked Turkey Meatballs
These perfect meatballs are made with Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and low-fat ground turkey. While they're baking, cook up some whole-wheat pasta or veggie noodles to make it a meal.
Get the recipe: baked turkey meatballs
Ultimate Veggie Sandwich
If you need some healthy new ideas for Meatless Monday, get inspired by this veggie sandwich. It's packed with cheese, colorful veggies, and a tangy honey mustard dressing for a meal that's as healthy as it is easy to make.
Get the recipe: ultimate veggie sandwich
Chili Lime Salmon With Mango Avocado Salsa
Most of us could probably stand to eat a little more seafood (gotta get those healthy fats), so start with this spicy, mango-topped salmon. You can put together the mango avocado salsa while the salmon cooks under the broiler.
Get the recipe: chili lime salmon with mango avocado salsa
Greek Chicken Bowls
Quinoa has more protein than other whole grains, which can help you feel satisfied between meals. When it's topped with seasoned chicken, a tomato cucumber salad, and zingy tzatziki sauce, it may become your new go-to grain.
Get the recipe: Greek chicken bowls
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chia Pudding
Some may call this lightly sweetened peanut butter chocolate concoction a dessert, but we call it breakfast or lunch. It does need to chill in the fridge for at least four hours, but stirring the six simple ingredients together takes minutes.
Get the recipe: peanut butter chocolate chia pudding
Greek Orzo Salad
This vegetarian, grain-based salad is packed with healthy ingredients: feta and chickpeas for protein, olives and Greek dressing for a dose of healthy fats, and assorted veggies for a variety of vitamins and minerals. Oh, and it takes only 20 minutes to make.
Get the recipe Greek orzo salad
Green Smoothie
What better way to start the day than with a fresh green smoothie? This version includes whole-grain oats, a good source of fiber that can help keep hunger at bay.
Get the recipe: green smoothie recipe
Chicken Fajita Skillet
There are so many things to love about this meal! It takes only 30 minutes to make, everything cooks in one pan, and you can customize the toppings to suit your taste. We suggest mashed avocado, fresh pico de gallo, and a dash of hot sauce for a kick.
Get the recipe: chicken fajitas skillet
Tortilla-Less Soup
Soup is a dinnertime mainstay because it's satisfying without adding a bunch of calories. This version has all the flavor (and heat!) of a traditional tortilla soup, minus the extra carbs.
Get the recipe: tortilla-less soup
Chicken Wonton Stir-Fry
Store-bought chicken wontons are the secret to getting this flavorful meal on the table in just 30 minutes. Making your own stir-fry sauce — which can be done while the wontons and veggies heat up — means you have control over the calories and sugar content.
Get the recipe: chicken wonton stir-fry
Paleo Meatloaf Muffins
This isn't your mom's meatloaf! These mini loaves are packed with protein and a few hidden veggies. Serve over wilted spinach or with roasted veggies.
Get the recipe: Paleo meatloaf muffins