24 Delicious Healthy(ish) Recipes for Every Meal

By Brittni • posted on 02/21/2020

24 delicious healthy recipes from over the years that have helped me get back into better eating habits.

Images of healthy recipe ideas for every meal

One of the #smallchangesinstead that I have on my list this year is (slowly) kicking bad food habits, by eating at least ONE healthier meal per day.

The idea is that one healthy meal will lead to another and another. But to start, the goal is just one a day, which feels like a solid baby step toward making bigger changes in the long run. Anyone else feel like they could use a fresh approach to healthy meals?

I’ve rounded up 24 delicious healthy(ish) recipes to make it as easy as possible to get started. And this list is filled with the good stuff! I’m not talking about calling it a day with a boring salad over here. There are smoothie bowl ideas, muffin recipes, mini flatbread pizzas, tacos…even desserts! And they’re all categorized by meal too: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert.

Healthy breakfast ideas, featuring smoothies, bowls, and muffins.

Healthier Breakfast Recipes

1. Chia Seed Fruit Parfait

So not only does this recipe look beautiful. It tastes AMAZING too. And it’s super healthy. Chia seeds are extremely healthy with lots of fiber, quality protein, and tons of antioxidants. That makes chia seeds the perfect ingredient in a healthier recipe.

2. Easiest Smoothie Bowls

When I say easiest, I really mean it. The base of the bowl is just 2 ingredients. Everything else is up to you, and this post if full of good suggestions of what to add to your smoothie bowl. Me? I love adding berries, peanut butter, and some coconut flakes. That’s the best part about these smoothie bowls is that you can customize it however you like!

3. Pina Colada Yogurt

I know what you’re thinking. A pina colada for breakfast? Uh, yes please. This yogurt recipe is super delicious with a ton a great and healthy ingredients. It also can be made vegan with non-dairy yogurt and is sweet enough to be served as a desert too (while still being pretty healthy).

4. Green Smoothie

I couldn’t have a healthier recipe list without a green smoothie. But this smoothie isn’t like your average yucky green smoothie. This one is delicious and packed with super healthy things like spinach, chia seeds, and hemp seeds. All the ingredients have lots of good nutrients and will fill you up making this the perfect healthy breakfast.

5. Pumpkin Muffins

Like I said, we’re looking for healthier recipes and this one definitely falls into that category. Why? Because it’s got a little bit of sugar, but it also has some great ingredients that are really healthy. Firstly, pumpkin is full of iron, zinc, and fiber. AND its an antioxidant which boosts your immune system. Rolled oats are also super good for you and are really filling so you don’t have to eat a lot to feel full.

6. Chia Seed Smoothie

Another delicious chia seed recipe. Who can resist all the healthy breakfast options chia seeds can give you? They fill you up quickly and are really nutritious. And they make the perfect match for delicious fruits in this healthy smoothie recipe.

Lunch images for healthy ideas, like salads and pizzas.

Healthier Lunch Recipes

1. Apple Coleslaw

A fresh recipe perfect for a packed lunch. You can add it to sandwiches (which are PERFECT for packed lunches). Or keep it easy and eat it alone at home for a light healthy lunch recipe.

2. Summer Salads (there are 3 salad recipes for this one)

So technically there are 3 healthy recipes in this post so you’re getting a little bit of a deal here. And all three of them are equally delicious and nutritious. These salads are perfect for making in large quantities and keeping in the fridge to snack on the whole week.

3. Watermelon Feta Salad

A yummy summer salad recipe! It’s best to wait until watermelons are in season to try this healthy recipe out. But when they are, you have to make this. Watermelons are not only a wonderful;y delicious summer fruit. They’re also very high in fiber and help you stay hydrated in the warmer (and sweatier) months.

4. Naan Flatbread Pizza

I equate this recipe to an adult lunchable. Pack all the things you need to put this little naan pizza together, and make it right from your desk. You can also skip the naan all together and the left over ingredients make for an awesome little salad.

5. Strawberry and Pecan Salad

Putting a sweet spin on salad. Pecans are the costar of this healthy salad recipe which is good because they’re super good for you. Pecans help stabilize cholesterol, are rich in fiber, and are packing with protein. Which helps keep you energized and full for the whole work day.

6. Peach and Prosciutto Caprese Salad

The picture alone makes my mouth water. And while prosciutto isn’t the best, this is a healthier option to, say, a burger or anything else you could eat. But if it isn’t making the healthy recipe cut, nix the prosciutto and replace it with vegan bacon for a healthier alternative.

Healthy dinner options that taste good - like tacos, soup, and pasta.

Healthier Dinner Recipes

1. Seafood Pasta Recipe

So a lot of people think pasta isn’t super healthy. But there are lots of different types of pasta and some are healthier than others. I like to use Banza pastas because they’re gluten free and made from chickpeas which are lower in carbs than regular pasta and are high in protein making this dish a filling meal.

2. Lemon and Herb Corn on the Cob

I know this isn’t technically a dinner recipe. But you can sure as heck pair this up with a lunch recipe above to make an amazing healthy meal. Corn has a lot of B12, folic acid, and iron. And lemons are equally healthy with lots of vitamin C. Which makes this a healthier dinner recipe for nights that you want a lighter meal.

3. White Bean Soup

This is a great recipe while the weather is still chilly and cold. This soup is SOUPER easy to make (get it?) and is full of delicious and healthy ingredients like… Sweet potatoes (which are full of fiber and are great for digestion) beans (which are full of protein making this a filling soup) and kale (which is a super food that is loaded with nutrients).

My mom has requested it several times recently when she comes to visit and I love making it because it’s so, so easy for feeding a crowd. Sometimes I bake garlic bread with it too, but since we’re going healthier, I’ll guess I’ll skip the bread for now.

4. Pineapple Mango Chicken Tacos

A sweet spin on a typically savory dish. These tacos are a healthier dinner option and are real tasty. If you’re looking for a vegan option, you can skip the chicken and add a meat alternative.

I’ve had the Gardein Meatless Chick’n Strips before and they’re not bad at all. Especially when they’re tossed with other yummy ingredients. Morningstar Farms has some too, which I think taste pretty good.

5. Grilled Tropical Shrimp Tacos

Another taco recipe because tacos are amazing. Am I right? This ones a great summer recipe because who doesn’t want to spend an awesome summer day grilling up some yummy shrimp for a healthier taco recipe? Shrimp is really good for you too with lots of omega-3s which are great for brain health. So in this case, gimme all the tacos. Haha.

As another option, skip the taco part all together and just do the skewered shrimp with the glaze (so good).

6. Corn and Asparagus Pasta Salad

Another pasta recipe you can make healthier with Banza pastas. I’m sure there are other pasta alternatives like this one too? If you know of any to suggest, let me know in the comments!

This one is also full of super nutritious veggies like asparagus. This healthy recipe is also a good one for lunch because you can pack your leftovers to take along with you in the morning.

Healthier dessert ideas that include popsicles, smoothies, and dessert pizzas.

Healthier Desert Recipes

1. Mini Dessert Pizzas

Dessert and pizza being used in the same sentence sounds a bit strange. Especially while talking about healthy recipes. But this recipe is very tasty (my dad used to make these when my brother and I were kids) and a healthier option. Equally satisfying to the average ice cream and cake dessert, btw.

2. Honey Yogurt Fig Pops

I originally made this as a breakfast recipe, but who says you can’t have breakfast for desert? Especially when its as tasty as this healthy recipe. I didn’t know this, but figs are great source of a wide variety of vitamins minerals like vitamin A, C, and K. And it has lots of potassium, magnesium, and zinc. All nutrients you need to stay in tip top shape.

3. Healthy Detox Pops

With healthy in the name, how could I not add this to the list. This popsicle really makes detoxing delicious which sounds like a difficult task. With nutrient dense foods like kale and spinach, this popsicle takes the cake (pun intended) as a healthy desert recipe.

4. No Bake Energy Balls

Looking for an easy dessert option? This healthy dessert recipe is for you. These no bake energy balls are as nutritious as they are delicious and I’m not just saying that. I mean, who doesn’t love a desert recipe with peanut butter and chocolate chips that is also healthy?

5. Healthy Creamsicle Smoothie

Just hearing creamsicle takes me back to summers as a kid. And this recipe is equally nostalgic as it is tasty. It’s a great alternative to processed desserts you find in a grocery store and full of vitamin C from all the oranges. It’s truly the perfect summer treat.

6. Berry and Mango Cream Popsicle

Berries and cream anyone? This popsicle recipe only has 3 ingredients so it’s super easy and really yummy. Plus, mangoes are so good for your digestion and berries are packed with antioxidants. So that makes for the perfect healthy dessert recipe.

And those are all my healthier recipes. I’m not sure if I could pick a favorite because I honestly love them all. But enough about me… I’m so curious to know which one of these is your favorite or if you have any go-to healthier recipes for getting back on track.

Which of these healthier recipes is your fave? What one do you think you’d be most likely to eat at home?

2 comments | Click here to reply

These seem like some delicious recipes! Love how you added some for each meal of the day!

Alex S

Sparkling writing!! Thanks buddy for such a great information!!

Nippon
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