Working on your diet and wellbeing is one of the greatest investments you can make in your life. Most people don’t realise that eating healthily is so key to their overall wellness, and, as such, forgo cooking healthy recipes in favour of convenience foods and takeaways. After all, we’re all so busy – who has time to cook when you can get “healthy” versions of ready meals, if you’re that desperate to eat well. While healthy versions of ready meals are better than eating their saltier and more sugary counterparts, fresh is always best when it comes to nutrition. Even if you don’t have time to cook, there are healthy food recipes that are quick and easy to prepare and will become popular family favourites requested again and again.
1. Zesty Red Bean Avocado Salad: This high-protein vegetarian meal goes great with flat bread or crackers. In a large bowl, combine a 16-ounce can of drained and rinsed red kidney beans and a 16-ounce can of drained and rinsed garbanzo beans. Cut 10 grape tomatoes in half and add this to the bowl. Peel and remove the stone from a ripe avocado, dice it and add to the bowl. Grate in a large carrot, and add half of a medium red onion (diced). Mix it all together and drizzle with a 1/4 cup of zesty Italian dressing. You can serve this dish immediately, or cover and refrigerate until you’re ready for it – even if you make it the day before. Why not get it ready in the evening and eat it for lunch tomorrow?
2. Minestrone Soup: Nothing beats soup for a winter warmer, and minestrone really hits the spot. This recipe takes less than 15 minutes to prepare and cook and the leftovers will still taste great when heated the second time round. Altogether, you have a meal that’s convenient whilst being big on taste, high in protein and low in fat – what a winner! Start by bringing one quart (64 tbsp) of vegetable broth to the boil. You then add a long list of ingredients, so you may want to get these ready first. You need to add:
- One four-ounce can of sweetcorn, rinsed and drained
- One small, chopped onion,
- One cup of thinly sliced fresh mushrooms
- One cup of tomato juice or vegetable juice
- One tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil
- One teaspoon of garlic powder
- One teaspoon of ground black pepper
- One 16-ounce can of garbanzo beans , drained and rinsed
- ½ a cup of dry small shaped pasta such as shells or elbows
Once you’ve stirred in all the ingredients, cook on a medium-high heat and stir occasionally. After 10 minutes, pour the soup into four bowls and sprinkle on some grated Parmesan cheese.
3. Apple Squash Salad: This healthy recipe is super easy to make, takes less than 10 minutes and gives you a good energy boost. To begin, whisk together two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil with a 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar and a 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper – this will make your dressing. Peel, core and chop up a red delicious apple and put in a separate large bowl. Add one (washed and chopped) yellow squash, a peeled and thinly sliced cucumber, one tablespoon of chopped red onions, and two tablespoons of sweetened dried cranberries. Mix these ingredients together and drizzle on the salad dressing you made earlier. To finish, garnish with crushed pecans and serve with your favourite low fat crackers.
