Healthy Meal Recipes

There are recipes everywhere claiming to be healthy, but it is important to be able to determine which ones really are healthy and which ones are misleading. Below are all of the components of a healthy meal. There are also tips on how to make recipes healthier by replacing certain ingredients. Using healthy recipes and fresh produce may take a little more time, but it is a small price to pay for a healthy body.

Protein

Lean meats and seafood are always better than red meat. For a quick, healthy protein dish, simply add a good sprinkling of dill and some lemon juice on a few pieces of salmon. Cook at 350 degrees F until it is cooked all the way through.

Carbohydrates

Most meals have a carbohydrate element. Using whole grains, wheat bread and brown rice is a simple way to make the meal healthier.

Vegetables

Vegetables should be the biggest portion in any meal. There are so many good vitamins in vegetables that the body needs. A great soup to make is lima bean and vegetable soup. Cook several chopped carrots, celery, onion for 15 minutes on the stove top, then add potatoes, lima beans and 4 cups of vegetable stock. Cook until the entire house smells delicious and season to your liking.

Fruit

Many people do not associate fruit with dinnertime, but orange segments and dried cranberries make a great addition in a salad. Also, fruit can be incorporated into dessert by simply topping a scoop of ice cream with some fresh fruit.

Dairy

There are so many ways to add a little dairy to a meal. Add cheese on a sandwich. Have some milk with your cereal. A cheese plate with some fresh fruit makes a good appetizer or mid-day snack. And a serving of pasta topped with olive oil, fresh tomatoes and some Italian cheese makes a great main course at dinnertime.

Fat

Though fat will creep into most meals, try to avoid adding extra fat. Cook with olive oil instead of vegetable oil. Use butter very sparingly. Try to avoid processed foods as they are known for having ridiculous amounts of unnecessary fat.

Resources

• Food pyramid
• Recipes for kids