If you’re like most of us, you may be looking for some comfort food in these cold winter months. But that doesn’t mean you have to abandon your healthy eating habits or give up on your health goals for 2023! We’ve put together a few delicious, healthy meal ideas that will make you feel cozy and content without compromising your health goals.
Let’s dive into some of our favorite recipes:
Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
A classic combination that never fails to hit the spot! To make this meal healthier opt for whole grain bread and canned tomatoes with no added salt or sugar. Add some diced mushrooms or bell peppers for even more flavor and texture! Serve your grilled cheese sandwich with a side of carrot sticks or roasted broccoli florets.
Vegetable Stew & Garlic Bread
Another great option for a comforting winter meal is vegetable stew with garlic bread. This hearty dish is packed with nutrients from all the vegetables, like carrots, potatoes, celery, mushrooms, etc. The garlic bread adds an extra layer of flavor without adding too many calories or fat. And it’s easy to make – just mix all the ingredients together in a pot and let it simmer until everything is cooked through!
Add a Dollop of Yogurt
If you’re looking for something more substantial than soup but still light enough not to weigh you down, try adding a dollop of yogurt to your favorite dish. Greek yogurt is especially high in protein and probiotics which are great for gut health – plus it adds a creamy texture and tangy flavor that makes any dish more enjoyable! Add it to roasted vegetables, salads, stews or even oatmeal – there are endless possibilities here!
Stuffed Peppers
This is an incredibly versatile dish that can include any combination of ingredients you desire. Start with bell peppers (or any other pepper) as your base, then add lean ground beef, brown rice, quinoa, black beans, corn – whatever you fancy! Spice it up by adding chili powder, paprika, cumin and garlic powder to your mix. Top it off with some shredded cheese and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes or until the peppers are tender. Enjoy on its own or serve over a bed of greens & roasted potatoes on the side.
Vegetable & Ricotta Frittata
This is an egg-based dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner! Sauté onions in olive oil along with diced bell peppers and spinach until cooked through (about 5 minutes). Beat eggs in a bowl before pouring over vegetables in the pan. Sprinkle ricotta cheese over top before transferring to oven (375°F) and baking until eggs are set (15-20 minutes). Serve warm with a side salad of mixed greens tossed in balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
We’re swapping heavy cream for coconut milk to retain the rich, velvety flavor and texture that we’re used to. Start by adding your oil of choice (we like coconut oil for the added health benefits) and diced onion to your Instant Pot and set to “Saute”. Once the onions are tender, add garlic and curry powder and cook another minute or two. Add your squash, salt, and broth to the pot. Cover the Instant Pot with the lid and be sure it’s locked and sealed. Cook for 15 minutes on the “High Pressure” setting. When the timer is up, let rest for 10 minutes, then manually release the pressure. Pour coconut milk and cooked veggies into a blender and puree until smooth. Return to the pot, bring to a simmer and add more coconut milk if needed. Don’t forget to top with cilantro, one of our favorite heart-healthy herbs!
Veggie Fried Rice
This dish is a great way to get in some of your daily veggies without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. Be sure you have plenty of leftover rice to cook with – cold, leftover rice is better because it won’t turn to mush as we cook it a second time. Start by sautéing some onions, diced carrots and garlic in butter or coconut oil. In a separate pan, soft-scramble a few eggs with a dash of low-sodium soy sauce and set aside. Once veggies are sautéed, add leftover rice to your pan, soy sauce to taste, a dash of fish sauce if you have it handy, the scrambled eggs and frozen peas. And let us not forget the most essential ingredient for that authentic fried rice flavor – a tablespoon or two of toasted sesame oil. Once remaining ingredients have been added, turn up the stove to medium-high heat and vigorously toss everything in the pan for a few minutes to get that crispy coating on the rice that we all love.
Mediterranean Quinoa Bowls
Quinoa has become a popular alternative to rice in recent years due to its high protein content. To make this flavorful bowl, cook the quinoa according to package instructions. In a separate pan, sauté garlic, bell peppers, olives, artichoke hearts, and spinach until cooked through. Once everything is cooked through, combine it with the quinoa in a bowl and top with feta cheese for an extra touch of flavor.
Vegetarian Lasagna
Lasagna is one of those classic comfort foods we all love—but it doesn’t have to be unhealthy! To make a vegetarian-friendly version of this dish without skimping on flavor or texture, start by roasting eggplant slices with olive oil until slightly golden brown. In a separate bowl mix ricotta cheese with herbs such as basil or oregano and set aside. Layer roasted eggplant slices with ricotta mixture in an oven-safe dish before topping off with marinara sauce and grated mozzarella cheese. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit until cheese is melted and bubbling (approximately 30 minutes). Enjoy!
Conclusion
Comfort food doesn’t have to mean unhealthy food – there are plenty of nutritious options that will provide both satisfaction and sustenance all season long! With nearly every ingredient having a healthy alternative sold in stores these days, you can ensure that you get the most out of your meals without sacrificing taste or nutrition. Eating healthily doesn’t have to be boring – it just requires a little bit of creativity! Don’t forget to enjoy every bite!