Make Weight Loss a Part of Your Diet With These 100+ Healthy Recipes
Whether you are in need of more ways to spice up your weekly menu or you are looking for a healthy way to lose weight, these recipes cover all health-conscious bases. With everything from low-calorie pasta dishes to tasty vegan desserts and even Jennifer Aniston's favorite quinoa salad, the recipes on this list will fill you up without weighing you down. So pass your plate, and enjoy!
— With Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, Hedy Phillips, Hajar Larbah, Jenny Sugar, and Amanda Prahl
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For a lightened-up take on classic coleslaw, whip up this detox salad. Apples marry with the dynamic duo of red and Savoy cabbage, combining for a fiber-filled meal that aids in digestion. The addition of fennel seeds adds to the fiber factor, plus a kick of cayenne boosts your metabolism.
Get the recipe: apple cabbage detox salad
Throw everything onto a sheet pan to cook this dish, and serve it with a side of couscous or brown rice.
Get the recipe: baked salmon
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Nicole Perry
This hearty salad goes well with a nice cut of lean chicken and a cup of fruit.
Get the recipe: farro kale salad
This creamy plate isn't your everyday salad. To make it extra indulgent, spring for fresh crab, not imitation!
Get the recipe: crab louie
The homemade cilantro-lime dressing gives this taco salad a fresh and zesty flavor. The layered ingredients also offer 20 grams of both protein and fiber. Prep this salad in advance and store in your fridge for a ready-to-go meal.
Get the recipe: taco salad
There's something about a whole roasted chicken that feels so special — and when it's just the two of you, you'll be able to enjoy the leftovers the next day, too.
Get the recipe: easy roast chicken
Fresh garlic, rich butter, tons of fresh herbs, bright lemon juice — this main dish is dreamy and comes in at just 3 grams of carbs.
Get the recipe: lemon garlic salmon
Replace traditional shrimp pasta with these delicious zucchini noodles. All you need is seven ingredients and 25 minutes and (a romantic) dinner is served.
Get the recipe: zucchini noodle shrimp scampi
Even if a barbecue isn't in your near future, you'll want to whip up a batch of this veggie pasta salad. It's lower in fat and higher in nutrients than regular pasta salad, which makes it a good and good-for-you lunch that you'll look forward to.
Get the recipe: vegan pasta salad
Leave off the dried fruit and pair your salad with a healthy homemade dressing for a virtuous lunch or dinner.
Get the recipe: shredded brussels sprouts and arugula salad
If you're tired of a vegan-friendly sandwich that doesn't satisfy, prepare to build the best veggie sandwich ever. Hummus and avocado provide the fiber and protein you need to stay fueled, and layers of tasty veggies offer crunch, flavor, and important nutrients your body needs.
Get the recipe: veggie and hummus sandwich
A side of whole-wheat bread to help you get these greens onto your fork is the perfect addition to this salad.
Get the recipe: kale sesame chicken salad
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Leta Shy
This chicken is anything but bland and dry, thanks to the cheesy spinach and sun-dried tomato topping. Even better, it's made in one pan.
Get the recipe: oven-baked chicken breast
Just add a drizzle of olive oil to this and your protein of choice and you're all set.
Get the recipe: cilantro lime broccoli slaw
Serve this cheesy, buttery, seafood-filled dish as an appetizer or plate more servings for an elegant dinner.
Get the recipe: crab-stuffed mushrooms
You won't have to sweat the details when you whip up this one-pan meal, and it's packed with low-carb veggies like cauliflower, zucchini, and mushrooms.
Get the recipe: vegetarian cauliflower rice skillet meal
Try crumbling hard-boiled eggs over this salad and serving it over a bed of brown rice.
Get the recipe: cucumber, black bean, corn, tomato, and avocado salad
This recipe cuts down on dishes and carbs, thanks to the cauliflower rice.
Get the recipe: one-pan Greek lemon chicken
Throw some grilled chicken or tofu on top of this pasta salad for a complete meal.
Get the recipe: pesto pasta salad
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Katie Sweeney
Serve this flavorful roasted chicken with a side of green vegetables or a salad.
Get the recipe: lemon-pepper chicken
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts
Try serving this salad over a bed of wild rice for some added texture and nutrition.
Get the recipe: Thai steak salad
Serve this salad with some lean chicken and wild rice.
Get the recipe: warm artichoke and mushroom salad
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Camilla Salem
You can't go wrong with crumbled sausage, gooey cheese, and a rich tomato sauce. Even better, you can make this dish ahead of time and bake it in the oven when you're ready to serve.
Get the recipe here: zucchini lasagna roll ups
Replace your weekly takeout order with this quick Instant Pot recipe.
Get the recipe: chicken and broccoli stir fry
Have a hearty, healthy, low-carb meal with this zoodle bowl that has all the flavors of a traditional pasta dish.
Get the recipe: grilled chicken zoodle bowl
The juice from this dish will soak right into whatever grains you serve it with to create a comforting meal on a cold day.
Get the recipe: cod with asparagus
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Camilla Salem
This dish provides your hint of cheese you're allowed on the Mediterranean diet.
Get the recipe: turkey quinoa stuffed bell peppers
This one-pan meal is packed with protein and fiber — and ready in just 20 minutes.
Get the recipe: Mediterranean chickpea stew
Stir-fry is a no-fail way to use up whatever is left in your fridge, but we love this particular combination: zucchini noodles, broccoli, bell peppers, and eggs, topped with homemade or store-bought teriyaki sauce.
Get the recipe: teriyaki zucchini noodle stir-fry
For a casual night in, serve this tender steak with your favorite low-carb base.
Get the recipe: sheet pan fajitas with steak
Pair this tasty recipe with brown rice or a vegetable side dish for a complete meal.
Get the recipe: cauliflower tikka masala
We feel confident everyone will love this flavorful recipe, and no one will even be able to tell it's low-carb.
Get the recipe: zucchini noodles with chicken, feta, and spinach meatballs
This dish is perfect for meal prep — it all comes together in one pan and can be separated out for work lunches. Best of all? It's just eight grams of carbs per serving.
Get the recipe: Indian chicken skillet
Give your cold-cut sandwich routine a rest and opt for this creative lunch instead. These fresh, raw, and fast wraps feature a unique filling: ground walnuts, seasoned with tamari, cumin, and other spices, and topped with your favorite salsa. It's a great alternative if you're watching your carb intake.
Get the recipe: raw gorilla wraps
You'll be seduced by this dish's creaminess and the fact that it takes just 20 minutes to cook. Serve it with a low-carb side like cauliflower rice.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot tahini cashew curry
Craving pasta? Make this Thai-inspired soba noodle salad and you'll enjoy a protein-rich and fiber-full lunch.
Get the recipe: Thai peanut soba noodles
So tasty and ready in just 20 minutes. Serve the filling with low-carb tortillas or cauliflower rice.
Get the recipe: sheet-pan fajitas
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Erin Cullum
Spruce up your usual salad and make this this protein-rich not-tuna salad fortified with an entire can of garbanzo beans. The pecans and apple pieces add fiber while giving this dish a crisp, fresh flavor.
Get the recipe: not-tuna salad
Taco Tuesday gets a vegetarian-friendly twist with tofu "sausage" and baby bella mushrooms. For even fewer carbs, swap in cashew flour tortillas.
Get the recipe: mushroom tacos
It's high in fiber, iron, and vitamin C, so you can see all the healthy reasons actress Jennifer Aniston loves this simple quinoa salad. Think of it as a bulked-up tabbouleh, since detoxifying parsley lays the base of the greens, while a scoop of quinoa and diced avocado provide over 60 percent of your daily recommended fiber. Squeeze fresh lemon juice on top for a brighter flavor and even more detoxifying power.
Get the recipe: Jennifer Aniston's favorite quinoa salad
Made with spices like cumin and cayenne to give your metabolism a kick, this Mexican tempeh quinoa salad offers the zesty, fresh flavor you're craving, and the tempeh offers a low-fat protein.
Get the recipe: Mexican tempeh quinoa salad
Naturally gluten-free and full of fiber, these tiny legumes are a healthy pantry staple you should always have on hand — and they're absolutely delicious in this lentil salad from Goop. Tangy and clean, this recipe makes for a light yet filling meal and even better leftovers; the longer this salad sits in the fridge, the better it tastes.
Get the recipe: Goop's mustard lentils
Offering nearly 22 grams of protein and 43 percent of your daily recommended fiber, this oh-so-easy recipe satisfies hunger as it supports your weight-loss goals. Assemble all your ingredients tonight, and pack it all up for an easy lunch at work tomorrow.
Get the recipe: veggie burrito bowl
This light, refreshing meal is perfect for any day! Try this chirashi bowl, made with fresh vegetables, brown rice, and sushi-grade tuna, the next time you're hankering for takeout sushi.
Get the recipe: chirashi bowl
Fill rice paper with tofu and veggies (skipping the cellophane noodles!), and finish the dish with homemade peanut sauce to really bring it over the edge.
Get the recipe: Vietnamese spring rolls
Tasty turmeric-spiced mushroom pilaf is a debloating recipe that's comforting on a cold afternoon.
Get the recipe: turmeric-spiced mushroom pilaf
This recipe requires just 10 minutes of prep, before adding the ingredients to your slow cooker. Just be cautious if you're sensitive to heat — the chipotle peppers and fire-roasted tomatoes give this soup quite a kick.
Get the recipe: spicy tortilla soup with quinoa
Whatever protein and grain you're in the mood for will pair perfectly with this bright, summery salad.
Get the recipe: watermelon, feta, and arugula salad
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Nicole Perry
This hearty dish is as delicious as traditional chicken marsala but clocks in at less than 20 grams of carbs per serving.
Get the recipe: Paleo chicken marsala
Top a slice of whole-wheat bread with this delicious chicken salad for a satisfying lunch.
Get the recipe: chicken salad
This goes-with-everything grilled chicken recipe is simple and packed with flavor.
Get the recipe: grilled lemon herb chicken
Colorful, crispy, and packed with nutrition, this Asian chicken salad is a much healthier alternative to ordering out at an Asian restaurant. It tastes amazing, so you won't feel like you're missing out!
Get the recipe: Chinese chicken salad
To keep this salad super healthy, add some grilled chicken on top and just a touch of wild rice.
Get the recipe: flat-belly salad
Would you believe us if we told you this waffle has just two ingredients? All you need is an egg and zucchini, plus any toppings, like avocado, tomatoes, and hot sauce.
Get the recipe: zucchini noodle egg waffle
It'll take you a little more than an hour to prepare this crispy, flavorful roasted cauliflower, but it's worth the wait. (The lemony sauce alone — delicious.)
Get the recipe: pistachio-crusted cauliflower with pistachio cream sauce
There may be nothing more impressive than lamb. This version is beautifully spiced and perfect served over a bed of spaghetti squash.
Get the recipe: lamb ragù
This colorful soup is filled with the perfect combination of onions, carrots, celery, cauliflower, and zucchini. The addition of kidney beans makes it extra filling.
Get the recipe: hearty vegetable soup
If you want to save room for dessert, try this extra-light soup. For a more balanced meal, add a source of protein like chicken, tofu, or fish.
Get the recipe: chilled zucchini basil soup with lemon garlic cream
Swapping out the herb sherry vinaigrette for a lower-carb dressing will make this healthy salad even more virtuous.
Get the recipe: grilled chicken salad
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Nancy Einhart
Either toss this with some chicken and brown rice or have that in addition to this salad to round out your meal.
Get the recipe: broccoli salad
This dish looks right out of a restaurant, doesn't it? It's Paleo and Whole30-approved, too, so perfect for almost any dieter.
Get the recipe: creamy Tuscan chicken with artichokes
Grab whole-wheat tortillas for these tacos and load them up with veggies and grilled chicken.
Get the recipe: Greek chicken tacos
Add some tofu or chicken to this salad for a balanced meal.
Get the recipe: Mediterranean quinoa salad
These chicken wings are just as good, if not better, than what you'd find in a restaurant, but they don't have any carby breading weighing them down.
Get the recipe: buffalo chicken wings
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Susannah Chen
Drizzle this salad with some olive oil and serve it with a side of grains.
Get the recipe: Asian chicken salad
This grilled chicken is delicious enough to eat on its own, but you should pair it with steamed vegetables drizzled with olive oil and your grain of choice.
Get the recipe: lemon herb grilled chicken
Image Source: Isabella Martinez-Funcke
Throw together a big salad with lots of veggies and some grilled chicken and olive oil on top, and serve it with this rice dish on the side.
Get the recipe: Persian rice with dates and pistachios
This salad has everything you need except a grain, but we recommend brown rice.
Get the recipe: bento salad
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts
Most of the carbs in this dish come from the dressing — swap it out for a lower-carb option, and you've got a great healthy salad.
Get the recipe: Chinese chicken edamame salad
Pasta is always romantic, and this eggplant lasagna is no different. The meat sauce and cheese make it comfort food at its finest.
Get the recipe: eggplant lasagna
Unlike other soups, this creamy recipe doesn't require hours of simmering to bring the flavors together. Just swap out the chicken broth for vegetable broth to keep it vegetarian-friendly.
Get the recipe: roasted cauliflower soup
Have a slice of whole-wheat bread on the side of this bright salad.
Get the recipe: chicken spinach strawberry salad
Throw some avocado on top of this protein-packed salad and you're all set.
Get the recipe: Thai beef salad
This hearty vegetable dish just needs a side of grains and a portion of protein to make a well-rounded meal.
Get the recipe: ratatouille
Bring the heat with this thick and creamy tikka masala, served with low-carb bread for dipping or over a bed of cauliflower rice.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot chicken tikka masala
Build this burrito bowl starting with brown rice, and top it with avocado.
Get the recipe: burrito bowl
You can have whole grains on a low-carb diet, but for even fewer carbs, eat the salad with a fork or serve it in a lettuce wrap.
Get the recipe: avocado chicken salad
Have a slice of whole-wheat toast with this soup to soak up all the tahini goodness.
Get the recipe: spiced carrot soup
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Nicole Perry
You can either toss some chicken into this salad or serve it on the side.
Get the recipe: quinoa cabbage salad
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Leta Shy
This complete meal just needs a grain added, like a slice of whole-wheat bread.
Get the recipe: baked fish with zucchini noodles
Loaded with oversize portions of bacon, blue cheese, avocado, and fatty dressing, you can easily eat half your recommended calories for the day in one sitting. Opt for this healthier 375-calorie Cobb salad that still hits all the notes you love about the classic.
Get the recipe: healthier cobb salad
You'll cook the mushrooms and spinach on the stove for 10 minutes before adding them to a casserole dish and popping it into the oven for 30 minutes. The finished dish is breakfast-for-dinner perfection.
Get the recipe: breakfast egg casserole
There are so many delicious flavors in this recipe, from poblano peppers to cumin. It's anything but a sad desk salad.
Get the recipe: Moroccan butternut squash and poblano salad
You won't miss the bread once you take a bite of this spicy avocado egg salad. It comes together really quickly, but make sure you leave 30 minutes for it to chill before eating.
Get the recipe: avocado egg salad with spicy mayo dressing
Serve this delicious soup with a side salad that has lots of veggies and is topped with lean chicken and olive oil and vinegar.
Get the recipe: tomato lentil soup
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Jaime Young
This refreshing salad can be served with a grain of your choice.
Get the recipe: watermelon salad
See those large chunks of artichoke and parmesan cheese? They're just the beginning — quinoa and Greek yogurt make this salad extra filling, while ingredients like apple cider vinegar deliver serious flavor.
Get the recipe: spinach and artichoke quinoa salad
This Caesar salad can be topped with your protein of choice and served with a grain like couscous for balance.
Get the recipe: kale Caesar salad
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Leta Shy
Start your day with these mini egg bites paired with a serving of brown rice.
Get the recipe: mini frittata egg bites
This chicken dish is beautiful and delicious and low in carbs, to boot. It'll fill you up but won't weigh you down.
Get the recipe: balsamic grilled chicken caprese salad
This fun salad just needs a portion of protein and a portion of grains to make a whole meal.
Get the recipe: kale, almond, and orange salad
Serve this on whole-wheat bread or an English muffin and have some scrambled eggs on the side for a filling breakfast.
Get the recipe: chickpea avocado salad
This salad just needs a dash of protein to be your entire meal!
Get the recipe: sesame ginger kale salad
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Leta Shy
Give your morning a fruity wake-up call with this yummy slow-cooker oatmeal.
Get the recipe: banana steel-cut oatmeal
For a refreshing breakfast, try this yogurt-filled cantaloupe with a slice of whole-wheat toast.
Get the recipe: yogurt-filled cantaloupe
If you love pumpkin pie but don't love the carbs, these grain-free cookies are the perfect choice. Even better? They're totally vegan.
Get the recipe: gluten-free pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
Fat bombs are a popular snack for people on the keto diet, since they're pretty much carb-free. This recipe uses real berries for a creamy treat!
Get the recipe: cheesecake fat bombs
It doesn't get much easier than this delicious chocolaty dessert: just mix all the ingredients together in a big mug, then microwave.
Get the recipe: keto mug cake
These cookies are made with three different kinds of flour and flax meal, then sweetened with dates, honey, and a hint of vanilla. So, while they taste like dessert, they're healthy enough to eat any time of day.
Get the recipe: almond flour cookies
This recipe puts your Instant Pot to delicious use, making a creamy, dense New York-style cheesecake. Even the crust is low-carb and gluten-free, thanks to almond flour.
Get the recipe: low-carb Instant Pot cheesecake
Satisfy those candy cravings with truffles made from only four ingredients: peanut butter, sweetener, coconut oil, and cacao.
Get the recipe: peanut butter truffles
These soft chocolate chip cookies are just as flavorful as their carb-packed counterparts. Swap out butter for coconut oil to make them Paleo.
Get the recipe: keto chocolate chip cookies
The pairing of cookie dough and ice cream is heaven — which makes this version, made with almond butter ice cream and egg-free dough, eligible for sainthood.
Get the recipe: keto cookie dough blizzard
This tasty pumpkin cheesecake is never out of season. Not only is it completely yummy, but it's free of gluten, grains, and sugar.
Get the recipe: low-carb keto pumpkin cheesecake
A dense, dark chocolate cake with decadent ganache on top — it sounds like everything someone who's dieting should avoid. But this recipe delivers rich, intense flavor, without any sugar to sabotage your goals.
Get the recipe: keto chocolate cake
These caramel pecan cookies taste just like pecan pie — and with ingredients like almond flour and xantham gum, they're far more virtuous.
Get the recipe: keto caramel pecan cookies
Baking a cake can feel like a lot of work (and temptation) if you're on your own, and this personalized shortcake is just the answer. It layers a light, low-carb cake with fresh strawberries and a healthy scoop of yogurt.
Get the recipe: strawberry shortcake for one
Fudge feels like one of those foods that just can't possibly be healthy. Never say never, though: this recipe contains just 0.5 grams of carbs per serving.
Get the recipe: keto fudge
Lemon bars are a staple, but the creamy fillings and shortbread-like crusts aren't exactly low-carb. With just five ingredients, you can make a delicious treat that you'd never guess has substitutions!
Get the recipe: sugar-free keto low-carb lemon bars
This recipe transforms everyone's favorite candy into a relatively healthy snack, using coconut butter, dark chocolate, and matcha.
Get the recipe: dark chocolate matcha coconut butter keto cups
Panna cotta sounds pretty fancy, but it's easier than you think. In this dairy-free, low-carb, and Paleo recipe, a moist carrot cake sits on top of a creamy, spiced panna cotta base made with coconut milk and honey.
Get the recipe: grain-free carrot cake coconut panna cotta
Only six ingredients are needed for these pecan shortbread cookies, and they're gluten-free and keto-friendly! You'll mix extra pieces of pecan into the dough for a crunch in every bite.
Get the recipe: pecan sandies
For a refreshing, citrusy treat, try these creamy lemon fat bombs. Just mix five ingredients and freeze, and they're ready to eat!
Get the recipe: lemon cheesecake fat bombs
When you're short on time, a no-bake treat is probably your go-to. Add these easy coconut macaroons to your rotation: they're made with coconut butter and maple syrup and filled with healthy fats and natural sugars.
Get the recipe: Paleo coconut macaroons
With rum, coconut cream, and pineapple, this trifle tastes like summer in a glass. And thanks to ingredients like coconut flour and monkfruit sweetener, it's lighter than traditional cakes and puddings.
Get the recipe: rum pineapple cake trifle
