Weight loss is a common goal many people have. It can be challenging to know everything you should and shouldn’t be eating. On top of that, eating healthy foods can get boring, especially when you are still craving those unhealthy foods you love. However, losing weight doesn’t have to be a daunting task. You have to get creative! This article will give you some ideas for tasty weight loss recipes to get your creative juices flowing.
Contents
Chicken And Avocado Salad
This salad will be a summertime favorite, perfect for lunch or dinner. Once you try this out, you’ll never get tired of it!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups sliced cooked chicken breast, skinless
- 1 medium avocado, pitted and chopped
- ½ cup thinly sliced celery (about 2 stalks)
- ¼ cup finely chopped red onion
- â…“ cup peeled & diced cucumber (about half of 1 small)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or flaxseed oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
directions:
Combine chicken, avocado, celery, onion, and cucumber in a medium bowl. Drizzle with olive oil or flaxseed oil and lemon juice. Toss gently until evenly combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately. Makes four servings.
Mediterranean Grilled Chicken
With flavors reminiscent of Greece, this dish will be a summertime favorite. It’s incredibly easy to make, and you can even cook it on your outdoor grill!
Ingredients:
- 2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (5 ounces each)
- ¼ cup prepared fat-free Italian dressing
- 2 tablespoons crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese
- 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and sliced
- 4 whole-wheat pitas (6 inches), warmed
Directions:
Stir together garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Brush mixture all over the chicken. Pour dressing into a small bowl; add chicken and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes or up to 8 hours. Prepare grill by heating to medium heat. Grill chicken until cooked through, 5–7 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the breasts. Remove from grill and slice chicken into strips. In a medium bowl, toss cucumber with feta cheese. Fill each pita half with chicken and cucumber mixture. Makes four servings.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
A great dish to make in the middle of winter when you crave something fresh. This recipe is easy and quick, but it will taste like you spent hours in the kitchen!
Ingredients:
- 4 large bell peppers (about 12 ounces total)
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped (about ½ cup)
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- ½ cup water
- â…“ cup uncooked instant brown rice
- Salt and pepper to taste (optional)
Directions:
Remove tops of peppers; discard seeds and membranes. Mix ground beef, onion, tomato sauce, oregano, water, and rice in a medium bowl. Portion meat mixture evenly into peppers. Place in a lightly greased 13×9 inch baking dish. Bake at 400 degrees F for about 40 minutes or until peppers are tender. Makes four servings.
Baked Parmesan Zucchini
Light, fresh, and flavorful! This is a great dish to make when you crave something with a little more substance. It’s effortless to make and only takes about 20 minutes!
Ingredients:
- 4 medium zucchini (about 1¼ pounds), cut lengthwise into 8 wedges
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or canola oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheeseÂ
Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. In a large bowl, toss zucchini with oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange zucchini in a single layer on a pan or baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes; remove from oven. Turn over pieces of zucchini, then spoon breadcrumbs evenly over the top. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake until golden brown and crisp, about 5 minutes. Makes four servings.
Baked Lemon Parmesan Tilapia
This is an incredibly light fish dish with a beautiful lemon flavor, perfect for when you’re in the mood for something fresh! This healthy dish takes about 25 minutes to prepare and will leave your mouth watering.
Ingredients:
- 4 tilapia fillets (about 4 ounces each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or canola oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon peel
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ cup seasoned breadcrumbsÂ
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- Cooking spray
Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Arrange fish in a single layer on a pan or baking sheet. Whisk together oil, lemon juice, lemon peel, and garlic in a small bowl. Drizzle mixture over fish; turn to coat both sides. Combine breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, and thyme in another small bowl. Spoon crumb mixture evenly over fish. Lightly spray tops of fillets with cooking spray. Bake at 450 degrees F for about 10 minutes or until fish flakes easily. Makes four servings.
Grilled Sirloin Kabobs
This recipe is sure to satisfy your taste buds with the perfect blend of seasonings. Prepare this dish in 15 minutes or less with simple ingredients, and feel free to add in others you might have on hand! This kabob recipe serves four.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound beef top sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 small onion, cut into wedges
- 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauceÂ
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dijon-style mustard
- 1 teaspoon olive oil or canola oil (optional)
Directions:
Soak eight wooden skewers in water for at least 10 minutes. On each of (15-inch) skewers, alternately thread steak, bell peppers, and onion, leaving ¼-inch between pieces. Brush kabobs evenly with soy sauce; set aside. Stir together vinegar, dijon mustard, and oil in a small bowl. Set aside. Grill kabobs over medium heat for 5 minutes on each side or until the desired degree of doneness. Brush kabobs with vinegar mixture and grill for 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds longer or until vegetables are crisp-tender, turning frequently. Transfer kabobs to a platter; keep warm.
Conclusion
Whatever your situation may be, you can make tasty weight loss recipes in many different ways to suit individual needs. These dishes are all uniquely flavored and easy to prepare for busy lifestyles. Don’t feel stuck eating plain boring food. There are so many wonderful flavors out there just waiting to be discovered! Try these recipes today and enjoy the variety of flavors while also helping to shed some of those extra pounds!
