Those of you who follow my blog regularly know that I am a huge fan of creating meals that are not only nutritious but also quick and easy to make. Honestly, even if you love cooking, who wants to spend their whole lives slaving away in the kitchen? That’s why I strive to compile easy and healthy meals that are a breeze to put together. So with that ethos in mind I have done a round up of 10 of my absolute favourite easy and healthy meals all in one convenient list! There’s a little something to suit every taste and style and you can refer back to this list any time you feel in the mood for good healthy (and easy) food.
1. Zucchini Coleslaw
Coleslaw is usually a heavily mayonnaise laden affair, high in fat and calories and very little nutrition. This zucchini version is the exception to the rule! With a simple light dressing and loads of veggies, it’s a great light lunch or easy peasy vegetarian dinner. Zucchini is a fantastically nutritious vegetable and has been used for centuries in folk medicine to treat colds, aches and pains. While the humble courgette may not necessarily get rid of “all that ails you”, they are definitely packed with oodles of vitamins A and vitamin C, which are fantastic for maintaining health and fighting off disease.
Get the recipe here: Zucchini Coleslaw
2. Spicy Tuna Tartare
I love sashimi and sushi! This is a great way to create your own homemade tuna tartare.
I could honestly go on forever about the benefits of eating fish regularly. While red meat is high in saturated fat, fish is a much leaner and lower-calorie source of protein than meat. Eating fish has been linked to several health benefits such as lowering risk factors associated with heart disease by helping decrease belly fat and triglyceride levels, as well as increasing levels of good cholesterol. This delicious sushi inspired dish is just the perfect way to enjoy getting your fish in. Lightly spiced and full of ocean fresh flavour, this tartare is ready in minutes and never disappoints.
Get the recipe here: Spicy Tuna Tartare
3. Goat’s Cheese and Beetroot Stuffed Mushrooms
When it comes to easy and healthy meals life’s too short not to eat cheese and goats cheese is a great way to get your cheese fix. This nifty little recipe is not only a crowd pleaser, but absolutely overflowing with full favoured goodness. This recipe is the full package when it comes to nutrition. The goat’s cheese is an excellent source of protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. The fatty acids found in goat’s milk have antibacterial qualities and help you to feel fuller, for longer. As for the mushrooms? You can’t go wrong! They’re fat-free, low-sodium, low-calorie, and cholesterol-free. They’re also packed with fibre, antioxidants, B vitamins, copper and potassium. Top it all off with some walnuts and beetroot, and you’ve got a nutritious bite sized snack that simply can’t be beaten.
Get the recipe here: Stuffed Mushroom Bites With Goats Cheese & Beetroot
4. Italian Chicken with Spinach
Bring a little Italian flare home with you with one of my quick and easy go to meals for busy weeknights. Chicken breasts seasoned with italian herbs, tomatoes and a generous serving of spinach, this is a simple recipe that you can easily incorporate into your cooking routine. Chicken breasts are a great source of lean protein that helps to maintain muscle mass and maintain a healthy metabolism. When it comes to nutrition, spinach is an absolute powerhouse! Spinach is linked to many health benefits such as improving your eyesight, cancer prevention and regulating blood sugar. These reasons and more are why spinach is considered a superfood. Wrap that all up into one easy to make meal and you have the perfect all in one healthy dish.
Get the recipe here: Italian Chicken With Spinach
5. Alio Olio
Sometimes you just have to have a pasta fix. Pasta makes for great comfort food, but it can come at the cost of high being high in carbs and calories. Luckily this personal favourite of mine is a little healthier and I make it often. By swapping out processed pasta for a whole wheat version you can create a pasta dish that is lower in calories and carbs, as well as higher in fibre, manganese and selenium. Whole wheat pasta is also easier for the body to digest which means less bloating, nausea and reflux.This recipe also makes use of liberal quantities of extra virgin olive oil. I have written about the benefits of olive oil before here: everything you ever needed to know about olive oil, but in short olive oil is the healthiest oil to use in your cooking arsenal. Extra virgin olive oil has anti inflammatory properties, is good for skin and hair, protects against diabetes, reduces high blood pressure, boosts your metabolism and improves digestion – just to name a few of it’s amazing benefits! This alio olio is delicious, rustic, simple and oh so moreish.
Get the recipe here: Alio Olio
6. Garlic Chilli Clams
Another easy peasy sea fresh dish. These awesome garlic chilli clams are ready in minutes and absolutely appetising. Clams are the humble but super healthy gift from the ocean. They are another great source of lean protein, are rich in minerals, vitamins and Omega- 3 fatty acids. Another healthy secret that clams hold within their shells is that they are amazing for collagen synthesis. I’m sure you’ve heard of collagen before and some of you may even take supplements for it. Collagen is a protein found in the human body and is critical for maintaining your skin, mucous membranes, joints, and other cells. Clams help you get that vital nutrient so you can skip the supplements and munch on this incredible dish instead.
Get the recipe here: Garlic Chilli Clams
7. Sugar-Free Apple and Cinnamon Muffins
Easy and healthy meals are all good but what do you do when that sweet tooth calls? We all need a sweet little something from time to time, but sugar is so bad for you! These apple and cinnamon muffins are the solution. With nothing but the natural sweetness provided by the apples you can enjoy a tasty baked good without any guilt or negative effects associated with processed sugar. Processed sugar can lead to weight gain, which can increase your risk of high blood pressure. Raised blood pressure in turn leads to a higher risk of heart disease, and more heart disease equals a greater risk for heart attacks. Since a high sugar diet contributes to weight gain, this buildup of fat makes your body more resistant to the effects of insulin and increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. All in all cutting out sugar can greatly improve your overall health, but this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a sweet treat. These cinnamon and apple muffins are tasty, healthy and easily stored for you to enjoy later.
Get the recipe here: Sugar Free Apple And Cinnamon Muffins
8. Butternut and Veggie Lasagna
Who doesn’t love lasagna? What you might not love is all the fat and calories that come along with the traditional version of this tasty dish. This vegetarian version uses whole wheat pasta sheets, low-fat ingredients and replaces the bechamel with a creamy butternut sauce instead. While butternut is an unassuming vegetable it actually hosts a range of awesome health benefits. Butternut is low in calories but high in vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium. It also is an abundant source of powerful antioxidants that help to prevent or slow cellular damage and reduce inflammation, which may reduce your risk of several chronic diseases. So next time you feel in the mood for some good old comfort food try this healthier version instead.
Get the recipe here: Butternut and Vegetable Lasagna
9. Swiss Chard Stuffed Avocados
This recipe is absolutely perfect for a quick and easy lunch, dinner or anytime snack. It’s so simple to put together and as we all know avocado is a superb superfood. Avocados are a rather special fruit. While most fruits are surprisingly high in carbohydrates, avocado is high in healthy fats and numerous studies show that it has powerful health benefits. Avos don’t contain any cholesterol or sodium and are low in saturated fat, while also being extremely high in vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin B5 and B6 and potassium. Whip those up with some sautéed swiss chard, a drizzle of lemon juice and some olive oil and you now have a uniquely simple and nutritious on the go meal.
Get the recipe here: Swiss Chard Stuffed Avocados
10. Greek Yoghurt and Banana Nut Bread
There’s something magical about the smell of banana bread baking in the oven. Here’s another fantastic work around so that you can enjoy a delicious baked goodie without piling on the fat and sugar. Banana bread is one of the most popular baked goods and this version is healthy and low in calories. Bananas are a fantastic source of many essential nutrients such as fibre, antioxidants, manganese, vitamin C, vitamin B and potassium. Bananas also help to moderate blood sugar levels after meals and reduce appetite by slowing how quickly the stomach empties. Then you add some greek yoghurt and nutritious nuts into the mix and you have a healthy banana bread snack to keep you going.
Get the recipe here: Greek Yoghurt and Banana Nut Bread
These are just some of my favourite meals and there are far too many to squeeze into a top 10 list! If you want to get loads more easy and healthy dishes you can check out my All Sorts Book series. I’m selling signed copies of all my books on my website: All Sorts Books. Happy munching!
