Healthy Weight Loss Recipes That Will Fill You Up

You probably already know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But not all breakfast recipes are created equally. Your breakfast should be a high fiber meal that helps you fill up and stay fuller for longer. This will start your day off right and give you the energy you need to make it to your next meal without feeling hungry. A good, filling breakfast can help curb late morning cravings and prevent cravings that can derail your weight loss attempts.

Breakfast

Try a simple, healthy breakfast that is high in fiber.

Read More: Fruits And Veggies: 7 Superfood Smoothie Recipes

Try spreading some almond butter on whole wheat toast. Two slices contains 6 grams of fiber. For even more fiber, add a sliced banana, which contains 3.1 grams of fiber.

For a heartier breakfast that is still relatively low in calories but high in fiber, you can’t go wrong with a bowl of oatmeal. By adding a few simple ingredients, you can amp up your fiber intake. Start by cooking a ½ cup of rolled oats, which contains 5 grams of fiber. Add in ½ cup of unsweetened applesauce and 1/8 cup of dried blueberries will add another 4 grams of fiber. Top it off with 8 chopped almonds and a ½ tablespoon of flaxseed for an extra 2.4 grams of fiber.

If you want to go the breakfast smoothie route, get creative and think beyond the typical fruit smoothies. While fruits such as berries and pears are high in fiber, you can increase your fiber intake even further by adding additional high-fiber ingredients such as vegetables, nuts and beans. Though they aren’t your typical smoothie ingredient, they will add fiber without altering the taste.

Use 6 ounces of nonfat blueberry Greek yogurt as your smoothie base. Add in ½ cup blueberries, 8 strawberries and 1 banana. This gives you a base of 7.3 grams of fiber. To boost that amount, add 1 cup of raw spinach leaves, ½ tablespoon of peanut butter and ¼ cup of cannellini beans. This brings your total fiber amount to 11 grams.

For a satisfying breakfast, try an avocado and egg breakfast salad. Arrange a bed of mixed greens like spinach, arugula, or kale on a plate. Top it with sliced ripe avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and thinly sliced red onion. Add boiled or poached eggs to the salad and drizzle with fresh lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then gently toss everything together for a fresh and filling morning meal.

Lunch

Filling up on a good, healthy lunch can help control cravings and prevent you from snacking before dinner. While some healthy snacks are fine, overindulging in unhealthy treats can make all the difference when it comes to meeting your weight loss goals.

Lunch doesn’t have to be boring to be healthy. For a healthy twist on fried chicken fingers, slice some chicken breasts into strips and season with salt and pepper. Dip the breasts in some egg whites and transfer them to a dish filled with seasoned bread crumbs. Coat the chicken and arrange the pieces on a coated baking sheet. Place in preheated oven at 450 degrees and bake up to 12 minutes or until crumbs are nicely browned and chicken is firm. While chicken is baking, mix equal parts mustard and honey in a large bowl. Add some chipotle seasoning, to taste. When chicken is done cooking, toss the piece in the bowl and coat with the sauce.

At lunchtime, you can also enjoy a quinoa and chickpea buddha bowl. Start by layering cooked quinoa, chickpeas, and chopped mixed vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and zucchini in a bowl. Dice half an avocado and add it to the bowl. Drizzle the bowl with hummus and tahini for creaminess and flavor. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the top and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for added taste and nutrients.

Dinner

Contrary to what many people believe, dinner does not have to be the largest meal of the day. In fact, filling up on a large meal so late in the day can do damage to your waistline. Instead of making a 4 course meal, try preparing a simple but hearty entrée that will fill you up without packing on pounds. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Use the back of a spoon to mash up a small clove of chopped garlic to form a paste. Add ¼ cup low-fat mayo and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Set aside.

Slice up a medium eggplant and 2-3 large Portobello mushroom caps. Coat all slices with cooking spray on both sides and season with salt and pepper. Place on grill and cook, turning once. Grill until tender and browned on each side. Place slices of whole wheat toast on the grill until lightly browned. Remove from grill and spread some of the garlic mayo on the bread. Layer the slices of eggplant and mushrooms on the bread. Add some fresh arugula or spinach leaves and some tomato slices. Top with another slice of bread.

For one more delicious dinner, try baked salmon with roasted vegetables. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle the salmon with olive oil and sprinkle with lemon zest, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In a separate baking sheet, toss mixed vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake both the salmon and vegetables in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Serve the baked salmon alongside the roasted vegetables for a flavorful and nutritious dinner.