This guest blog is by Kaylie Teague. To read Kaylie’s earlier blog, Healthify Your Breakfast, click here. To read Kaylie’s blog, Healthify Your Lunch, click here.
Healthify Your Dinner
Dinner is often difficult to plan or thrown together last minute after a long day at work or school. Here are some ways you can healthify your meal and become re-inspired for dinnertime!
Spaghetti and marinara sauce →spaghetti squash with marinara sauce and veggies
Side of mashed potatoes with butter →side of baked sweet potato with almond butter
Stir fry with white rice →stir fry with brown rice or quinoa
Lasagna with pasta noodles →lasagna with zucchini noodles
Side of French fries →side of baked sweet potato fries or kale chips
Fish ‘n Chips →grilled fish with baked potato
Side salad with iceberg lettuce and croutons →spinach salad with veggies and almonds
Delivery pepperoni pizza →veggie pizza with store-bought whole wheat crust
Mac and cheese →whole wheat pasta with low-fat cheese and pureed pumpkin
Fried chicken →baked breaded chicken
Here are some recipes to get you started!
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
1 ½ c whole wheat pasta
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp flour
1/3 c milk of choice
Pinch of nutmeg
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/3-1/2 c canned pumpkin
¼ c low fat cheddar cheese plus more for sprinkling
Cook pasta according to directions. In a separate saucepan, whisk together flour, butter, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin over medium-high heat until thick and slightly bubbly. Add ¼ c cheese and stir until mixed thoroughly.
Drain pasta from water once finished cooking. Pour pasta into pumpkin-cheese mixture and stir together. Sprinkle more cheese on when serving.
Kale Chips
Recipe from Oh She Glows
½ bunch kale leaves
½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 ½ tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tsp garlic powder
¾ tsp chili powder
½ tsp smoked paprika
¼ tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
Preheat oven to 300°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove kale leaves from the stems and tear leaves into rough pieces. Wash and dry thoroughly. Add kale leaves to a large bowl, massage oil in, and add seasonings. Toss to combine. Spread kale onto the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Rotate the pan, and then bake for another 12-15 minutes. Let the kale cool for 3 minutes on the baking sheet and enjoy!
Kaylie Teague is a registered dietitian intern at UNC-Greensboro in North Carolina. Her blog is skinnymuffinrecipes.com.