Here’s a secret about me: I love food.
I love to cook. I love to grill. I love to bake. And I love to eat.
But, the question is, how do we continue to eat delicious food AND maintain or even lose weight?
Tracking our calories? Yes. Staying within our caloric limits? Yes. Strength training 2-3 times per week? Absolutely.
But you also have to enjoy what you eat. The best way to maintain a healthy nutrition plan is to look forward to every meal because it’s so damn good! With that in mind, here are a few of my favorite healthy recipes for weight loss from various websites that I use to stay fit and full from a Chicago In Home Personal Trainer!
(I don’t have any allergies or dietary restrictions, but please keep those in mind if you attempt to make any of these dishes.
Photo From Skinnytaste.com
GARLIC SHRIMP IN A COCONUT MILK/TOMATO BROTH
I found this recipe on Skinnytaste.com, a website I’ve been exploring and highly recommend if you’re looking to expand your healthy at home menu.
This dish reminds me of a lovely shrimp curry you’d get in a Thai restaurant, but at a fraction of the cost and calories, and packed with protein! Even better, as you’re cooking, you can control and adjust the heat to your desired tastes. And, if you’re not into shrimp, sub in chicken breast!
Ingredients:
1 bag shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tsp olive oil
1 red bell pepper
2-3 scallions
1/2 c cilantro
4 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
14 oz can light coconut milk
1/2 lime, squeezed
Sautè the red bell pepper in the olive oil over medium heat until it softens. Add scallions, red pepper flakes, garlic, and cilantro. Cook for 1 minute. Add tomatoes, coconut milk, and salt, then bring to boil so the broth thickens to your desired consistency. I prefer a thick, creamy broth but you do you.
Add Shrimp and cook for 5-6 minutes. Add lime juice, top with more scallions and cilantro, and serve over rice!
267 calories per 1 1/2 cups. Add 75 calories per 1/2 cup of brown rice.
HOMEMADE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
Few things are as comforting and soothing as a hot bowl of soup. This is a super easy, minimal ingredient take on a classic that has lots of taste but very few calories. It’s also loaded with protein and super filling!
Ingredients:
1 small onion, diced
4 carrots, diced
1 can of corn (drained, optional)
1 tsp olive oil
3 celery stalks, diced
4 cloves Garlic
8-12 cups low sodium chicken broth
4 oz chicken breast (per bowl)
Kosher Salt & Pepper to taste
Thyme & Other Poultry Seasons to taste
Sautè the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic in the olive oil for 3-5 minutes, then lightly season with salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings you prefer. Add the broth and bring to a bowl.
For the chicken, either bake 4 large breasts at 425 until cooked through or purchase a rotisserie chicken and carve out the white breast meat. Fill a bowl or cup with 4 oz of the cooked chicken, pour in the broth mixture, and enjoy!
130 calories per bowl (2 cups of broth mix & 4 oz of chicken)
ZOODLE PASTA BAR
If you want to enjoy a bowl of delicious healthy noodles with a fraction of the carbs/calories and all the taste, this is the dish for you!
This is also the most adaptable dish as you can sub shrimp, chicken, ground beef, or ground turkey as your protein with the noodle base.
Ingredients:
2 large zucchinis
1 tsp olive oil
1 jar marinara sauce or your favorite homemade tomato sauce
3 cloves garlic
Kosher salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, parsley to taste
Cooked Protein Of Your Choice (Chicken, Shrimp, Ground Turkey or Beef)
Either use a Spiralizer to shred your zucchini into noodles or cut them in half by length, then slice into thin strips that resemble pasta noodles. Sautè the zoodles in olive oil and garlic until they are al dente, then add 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce to the skillet. I like the to prepare one dish at a time to make sure I can properly calculate the portions.
Mix in your cooked protein of choice and serve with seasonings to taste!
190 Calories (200 grams of noodles, 4 oz of chicken, 1/2 cup of marinara sauce)
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