After getting home from work or a workout, it’s can feel damn near torturous to spend more energy scrounging up a meal, and you are watching your weight, but you still want a healthy and tasty one.
Some nights when you want something fast and fresh; then preparing others in advance when you just dont want to cook.
To prove you can do it, here are some healthy dinner recipes—some you can whip up one night (and for one person), others you can make ahead and eat for a few days. Each one has 500 calories or less, and leaves you satisfied thanks to the great flavors and filling ingredients. Go ahead and revel in your domesticity and keep the weight off.
Zucchini Salad
2 medium zucchini, ribboned
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
2 Tbsp pitted and chopped Kalamata olives
2 Tbsp diced feta cheese
1 Tbsp pine nuts, toasted
1½ Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
½ Tbsp apple cider vinegar
½ Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Combine oil, vinegars, garlic, and pepper in a small jar and set aside. Add zucchini, tomatoes, olives, feta, and pine nuts in a bowl. Pour dressing over vegetables and cheese, toss to coat, and serve.
Per serving: 430 cal, 35 g fat (7 g sat), 26 g carbs, 15 g sugar, 610 mg sodium, 6 g fiber, 10 g protein.
Watermelon Salad
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
3 c arugula
2 c diced seedless watermelon
½ c halved cherry tomatoes
¼ c diced red onion
2 Tbsp diced feta cheese
2 Tbsp minced fresh mint
1 Tbsp seeded and minced jalapeño
Combine olive oil, vinegars, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk until emulsified. Add the arugula, watermelon, tomatoes, onion, feta, mint, and jalapeño. Toss with your hands to combine well. Serve immediately.
Per serving: 200 cal, 16 g fat (3 g sat), 13 g carbs, 9 g sugar, 470 mg sodium, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein.