Are you looking to start 2021 off right with delicious healthy dinner ideas to add to your recipe book? I’ve found over 30 healthy dinner recipes, all under 500 calories, for you to try in the new year! Ready to learn more about these amazing recipes? Keep reading to learn more!
Why a Healthy Diet is Important
So maybe you want to get into healthy eating but don’t really know why a healthy diet is so important. A healthy diet is important because it literally fuels all the different systems in your body to do the things you want it to do. This is everything from lifting your arm, to pumping your heart & everything in between. The reason healthy eating is so important is because the quality of the food you eat affects the overall efficiency of your body as a whole.Â
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The first step you want to make when eating healthy is to cut down on processed foods. These are things like fast food, chips, to even white bread ( I know, I know). If you’re someone who wants to start eating healthier, I suggest starting with recipes like the ones I’ve found below!
What Kind of Dinners are Healthy
So you know why healthy eating is important, but now you need to figure out what kind of dinners are actually healthy. My general rule of thumb is always to have some sort of fruit or veggie. Next, you’ll want to have a protein. This can be anything from chicken, beef, seafood, beans, or lentils. To make you feel full, you’re going to want a carb. Carbs can be tricky because some are better than others. My recommendations are always whole grain bread, rice, and sweet or regular potatoes. There really are endless options; however, you just have to make sure to have carbs in moderation. Maybe don’t opt for the full plate of pasta every night. Last, dairy is an option, but I don’t think discouraged. If it makes sense to add it to a recipe then do it, just don’t go wild!
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Buffalo Chicken Pizza/Flatbread
Number of Ingredients: 9
Prep/Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 489 Fat: 24g Carbs: 53g Protein: 14g
Bring a restaurant favourite to your own kitchen table! My buffalo chicken pizza recipe is ready in under 30 minutes & is the perfect shareable dinner option the whole family will love! Top with your favourite veggies & drizzle blue cheese or ranch to tie it all together.
Italian Sausage Zucchini Boats
Number of Ingredients: 10
Prep/Cook Time: 60 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 435 Fat: 30g Carbs: 15g Protein: 26g
This is my recipe for zucchini boats! If you love Italian food, but don’t love the carbs, this is the perfect keto-friendly option to serve up for dinner!
20-Minute Chicken Ginger Garlic Stir Fry with Egg Noodles
Number of Ingredients: 11
Prep/Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 436 Fat: 9.5g Carbs: 30.5g Protein: 39.7g
This ginger garlic stir fry is the perfect dinner to whip up when you don’t have a lot of time. The secret is using a rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken, which helps cut down on cook time!
Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry
Number of Ingredients: 13
Prep/Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 263 Fat: 8g Carbs: 23g Protein: 28g
Honey Garlic Chicken is a fan favourite everyone can get on board with! Serve it with your favourite rice for a balanced meal!
Zucchini Noodles with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Goat Cheese
Number of Ingredients: 12
Prep/Cook Time: 45 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 386 Fat: 20.8g Carbs: 25g Protein: 17.75g
The ultimate way to use those zucchinis from your summer garden. This zoodle recipe is served with a creamy avocado sauce, and can easily be made into a vegetarian, vegan or keto option!
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Peanut Butter & Basil Stir Fry
Number of Ingredients: 11
Prep/Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 462.75 Fat:16g Carbs: 46.825g Protein: 28.8
Take your stir fry game to the next level with my easy peanut butter and basil stir fry! This recipe is made with powdered peanut butter to help keep those calories and fats down while still tasting amazing!
Baked Halibut & Asparagus
Number of Ingredients: 7
Prep/Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 477 Fat: 26g Carbs: 8g Protein: 51g
If you’re looking for a simple recipe that’s packed with protein, this halibut recipe by Julia’s Album is a must-try! This delicious recipe is ready in only 30 minutes and is perfect for a keto diet.
Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers
Number of Ingredients: 12
Prep/Cook Time: 40 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 262 Fat: 9g Carbs: 21g Protein: 23g
These stuffed peppers are a great meal prep option if you’re looking to make your meals ahead of time!
Greek Chicken Meatballs in Lemon Cream Sauce
Number of Ingredients: 17
Prep/Cook Time: 45 minutes
A twist on a classic Italian recipe! These Greek meatballs are made with feta to give it a beautiful creamy texture!
Steak Bites with Sweet Potatoes & Peppers
Number of Ingredients: 10
Prep/Cook Time: 45 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 460 Fat: 30g Carbs: 25g Protein: 23g
If you’re looking for a macro-filled meal, this steak bites with potatoes and peppers is a great balanced meal!
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Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowl
By: Yellow Bliss Road
Number of Ingredients: 15
Prep/Cook Time: 35 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 380 Fat: 5g Carbs: 56g Protein: 27g
This ground turkey teriyaki gets its low calories by using meal ground turkey instead of classic chicken or beef!
BBQ Chicken Bowls with Sweet Potatoes and Coleslaw
Number of Ingredients: 24
Prep/Cook Time: 60 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 503 Fat: 28g Carbs: 46g Protein: 15g
This BBQ Chicken & Sweet Potato is a hardy meal to serve on a summer day.
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
Number of Ingredients: 13
Prep/Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 326 Fat: 15g Carbs: 26g Protein: 25g
Another low-fat ground turkey option topped with mozzarella cheese for a great healthy dinner!
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Vegan Sweet Potato Burrito Bowl
Number of Ingredients: 18
Prep/Cook Time: 40 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 503 Fat: 14g Carbs: 64g Protein: 17g
This vegan burrito bowl is a great meal prep option for lunches and packed with rice & sweet potatoes to keep you full.
Spinach, Artichoke & Chicken Casserole
Number of Ingredients: 11
Prep/Cook Time: 50 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 213 Fat: 13g Carbs: 12g Protein: 14g
Looking for a well-balanced meal? This low-calorie chicken casserole is perfect for serving the whole family or making ahead for meals for the week.
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Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs with Lemon Zucchini Noodles
Number of Ingredients: 13
Prep/Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 367 Fat: 25g Carbs: 3g Protein: 27g
If you’re looking for a low-calorie dinner, this zucchini noodle with meatballs is a great keto option for a healthy dinner!
Shrimp Tacos
By: Tastes Better From Scratch
Number of Ingredients: 18
Prep/Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 492 Fat: 22g Carbs: 32g Protein: 43g
Looking for a lower-calorie taco dinner? Shrimp have lower calories than traditional beef & chicken to keep your clean eating meals on track.
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Skillet Chicken and Mushroom Wine Sauce
Number of Ingredients: 16
Prep/Cook Time: 1 Hour
Nutrition: Calories: 309 Fat: 19g Carbs: 14g Protein: 17g
Looking for a healthy creamy option to serve for dinner? This creamy chicken & mushrooms are the perfect addition to your meal plan! Serve with rice for a well-balanced meal!
Mostly Veggie Steak Stir Fry
Number of Ingredients: 18
Prep/Cook Time: 35 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 353 Fat: 16g Carbs: 27g Protein: 27g
A super easy meal prep stir fry to whip up for lunches or to serve on a time crunch for you and the family!
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Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast
Number of Ingredients: 12
Prep/Cook Time: 35 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 407 Fat: 24g Carbs: 3g Protein: 41g
Another great low-carb option if you’re looking to add some recipes to your keto recipe book!
Spicy Ranch Chopped Chicken Cabbage Salad
Number of Ingredients: 28
Prep/Cook Time: 35 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 492 Fat: 20g Carbs: 45g Protein: 37g
Looking for a light, healthy dinner option? This Spicy Chicken & Cabbage is a great option!
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Spicy Ground Turkey and Green Bean Stir-fry
Number of Ingredients: 10
Prep/Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 294 Fat: 12g Carbs: 11g Protein: 39g
Another low-carb and high-protein option for your keto-friendly diet! If you are looking for more carbohydrates, serve this delicious dish with rice!
Greek White Bean Soup With Garlic & Lemon
Number of Ingredients: 10
Prep/Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 495 Fat: 42g Carbs: 27g Protein: 8g
Easy Low Carb Chicken Dinner with Balsamic Onions and Mushrooms
Number of Ingredients: 9
Prep/Cook Time: 45 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 204 Fat: 13g Carbs: 7g Protein: 14g
Another mouth-watering chicken recipe for your healthy dinners! If you’re looking to cut down on even more fat, consider using breasts instead of chicken thighs!
Baked Eggplant Parmesan
By: Feel Good Foodie
Number of Ingredients: 11
Prep/Cook Time: 70 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 462 Fat: 23g Carbs: 38g Protein: 26g
Eggplant parm is a great alternative to classic chicken parmesan!
Broccoli & Cauliflower Rice Chicken Casserole
Number of Ingredients: 11
Prep/Cook Time: 75 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 375 Fat: 19g Carbs: 13g Protein: 38g
This Broccoli, Cauliflower & Chicken Casserole is a cheesy low-carb option to enjoy with your family. This recipe serves 8, so you can also make it a meal prep meal for lunches for the week!Â
Caprese Chicken
Number of Ingredients: 11
Prep/Cook Time: 25 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 391 Fat: 18g Carbs: 8g Protein: 49g
Caprese Chicken is a cheesy option to serve for a healthy dinner! Add in potato as a side for a full, balanced healthy dinner!
Egg Roll in a Bowl
Number of Ingredients: 15
Prep/Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 315 Fat: 18g Carbs: 15g Protein: 24g
If you love egg rolls, this egg roll in a bowl is a much healthier option since it’s not deep-fried or has an outer shell.
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Spinach Avocado Burgers
Nutrition: Calories: 304 Fat: 15g Carbs: 14g Protein: 28g
Grilled Pineapple Chicken
Number of Ingredients: 12
Prep/Cook Time: 55 minutes
Nutrition: Not Specified
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Paleo White Chicken Chili
Number of Ingredients: 17
Prep/Cook Time: 40 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 352 Fat: 23g Carbs: 8g Protein: 30g
Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma
By: A Clean Bake
Number of Ingredients: 12
Prep/Cook Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 317 Fat: 2g Carbs: 3g Protein: 34g
Paleo Chicken Yakitori aka Japanese Chicken Skewers
By: A Clean Bake
Number of Ingredients: 11
Prep/Cook Time: 25 minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 220 Fat: 6g Carbs: 9g Protein: 29g
There you have it! Over 30 recipes for you to try in the months to come, and help you stay on track of your healthy living journey! Want to read more? Check out some of my other healthy recipe articles down below.
