Have a healthy evening meal
Healthy dinner is important for several reasons:
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Nutrients: A healthy evening meal provides your body with essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, healthy fats and fiber. These nutrients are necessary for optimal functioning of your body, growth, recovery and energy production.
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Energy balance: A healthy dinner can contribute to a good energy balance. Eating nutritious meals will provide you with the energy you need to carry out your daily activities. It also helps to prevent excessive snacking or snacking in the evening.
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Weight management: Healthy dinner can help with weight management. Choosing nutritious options with a good balance of macronutrients can help you stay satiated, reduce the need for unhealthy snacks and reduce the tendency to overeat.
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Heart health: A nutritious evening meal can contribute to a healthy heart. Eating foods rich in fiber, healthy fats and antioxidants, such as whole grains, fish, nuts, vegetables and fruits, can lower your risk of heart disease.
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Blood sugar management: Choosing healthy carbohydrates, such as whole grains, vegetables and legumes, in your evening meal can help keep blood sugar levels stable. This is especially important for people with diabetes or those who want to control their blood sugar levels.
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Sleep quality: What you eat in the evening can affect your sleep quality. Avoiding heavy, fatty meals and large portions can contribute to a better night's sleep and a healthy sleeping pattern.
It's important to create a balanced meal with a good mix of vegetables, proteins, whole grains and healthy fats. Also try to avoid processed foods, added sugars and excess salt. Below are several recipes for dinner.
Dinner recipes with slow cooker
Here are some dinner recipes you can make with a slow cooker:
- Slow Cooker Chicken Soup:
- Ingredients: Chicken legs, vegetables (carrots, celery, onions), garlic, thyme, bay leaves, chicken stock, salt and pepper.
- Instructions: Place all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Remove the chicken legs, remove the meat from the bones and add it back to the soup. Season with salt and pepper.
- Slow Cooker Chili con Carne:
- Ingredients: Minced beef, onion, garlic, bell pepper, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, chili powder, cumin, paprika powder, salt and pepper.
- Instructions: Fry the minced meat in a pan and then add all the ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Season with salt and pepper if necessary.
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork:
- Ingredients: Pork shoulder, onion, garlic, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, paprika powder, cumin, salt and pepper.
- Instructions: Rub the pork shoulder with paprika powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Brown the pork shoulder on both sides in a pan. Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker and add the onion, garlic, barbecue sauce and brown sugar. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. Pull the meat apart with two forks and mix it with the sauce.
- Slow Cooker Vegetarian Stew:
- Ingredients: Vegetables of your choice (carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, peppers, zucchini), onion, garlic, tomato sauce, vegetable stock, Italian herbs, salt and pepper.
- Instructions: Cut the vegetables into pieces and place them in the slow cooker. Add the onion, garlic, tomato sauce, vegetable stock and Italian herbs. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Season with salt and pepper.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Curry:
- Ingredients: Chicken fillet, onion, garlic, curry paste, coconut milk, vegetables of your choice (e.g. peppers, zucchini, broccoli), salt and pepper.
- Instructions: Fry the onion and garlic in a pan and add the curry paste. Then add the chicken breast, coconut milk and vegetables to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Season with salt and pepper.
These recipes give you an idea of the versatile possibilities of a slow cooker. Adjust them to your own taste and add extra herbs and spices if necessary. Remember to refer to your specific slow cooker's cooking times and settings for best results.
Dinner recipes with air fryer
Here are some healthy recipes that you can prepare using an air fryer:
- Roasted Vegetables:
- Ingredients: Assortment of vegetables of your choice (e.g. broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, peppers), olive oil, salt, pepper and spices to taste (e.g. garlic powder, paprika powder).
- Instructions: Cut the vegetables into even pieces. Drizzle them with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and herbs. Place the vegetables in the air fryer and fry at 180°C for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Crispy chicken wings:
- Ingredients: Chicken wings, olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika powder, garlic powder.
- Instructions: Marinate the chicken wings in olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika powder and garlic powder. Place the chicken wings in the air fryer and bake at 200°C for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Sweet potato fries:
- Ingredients: Sweet potato, olive oil, paprika powder, salt.
- Instructions: Peel the sweet potato and cut into chip-shaped pieces. Mix the sweet potato fries with olive oil, paprika powder and salt. Place them in the air fryer and bake at 200°C for 15-20 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown.
- Fish packets:
- Ingredients: Fish fillet (e.g. salmon, cod), lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, fresh herbs (e.g. dill, parsley), salt, pepper.
- Instructions: Sprinkle the fish fillet with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, fresh herbs, salt and pepper. Wrap the fish in aluminum foil and place the package in the air fryer. Bake at 180°C for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily.
- Healthy chicken nuggets:
- Ingredients: Chicken fillet, whole wheat flour, egg, paprika powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper.
- Instructions: Cut the chicken fillet into small pieces. Mix whole wheat flour with paprika powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Beat the egg in a separate bowl. Dip the chicken pieces first in the egg and then in the whole wheat flour mixture. Place the chicken nuggets in the air fryer and bake at 200°C for 12-15 minutes
Dinner recipes with minced meat
Here are two healthy dinner recipes with ground beef:
- Grilled meatballs with vegetables:
- Ingredients:
- 500 grams of lean minced beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 1 yellow pepper, diced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Instructions:
- Mix the minced meat, onion and garlic in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
- Form small meatballs from the mixture and place them on a baking tray.
- Heat the olive oil in a grill pan over medium heat. Grill the meatballs on both sides until cooked and golden brown.
- Meanwhile, heat the remaining olive oil in another pan over medium heat. Fry the pepper and zucchini until soft.
- Serve the grilled meatballs with the fried vegetables. Serve with a side dish such as brown rice or quinoa.
- Healthy tacos with minced meat:
- Ingredients:
- 500 grams of lean minced beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika powder
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Whole wheat tortillas
- Healthy toppings of your choice, such as chopped tomatoes, lettuce, avocado, low-fat Greek yogurt
- Instructions:
- Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add the minced meat. Fry the minced meat until brown and done. Drain off any excess fat.
- Add the onion and garlic to the pan and fry until the onion is soft.
- Add the chili powder, cumin powder, paprika powder, oregano, salt and pepper to the mince mixture. Stir well and fry for a few more minutes.
- Heat the whole wheat tortillas according to the instructions on the package.
- Fill each tortilla with the ground beef mixture and add healthy toppings such as chopped tomatoes, lettuce, avocado and low-fat Greek yogurt. Fold the tortillas and serve immediately.
Enjoy your healthy evening meal with minced meat!
Dinner recipes with chicken
Here are two healthy dinner recipes with chicken:
- Grilled chicken with vegetables:
- Ingredients:
- 2 chicken fillets
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 1 yellow pepper, diced
- 1 red onion, cut into wedges
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Instructions:
- Marinate the chicken fillets in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, paprika powder, salt and pepper. Let the chicken fillets marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat a grill pan or barbecue over medium heat. Grill the chicken fillets on both sides until they are done and have nice grill marks. Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest.
- Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in another pan over medium heat. Fry the zucchini, pepper and onion until soft.
- Cut the grilled chicken into slices and serve with the fried vegetables. Serve with a side dish such as quinoa or whole wheat pasta.
- Chicken quinoa salad:
- Ingredients:
- 2 chicken fillets
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cucumber, cut into cubes
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 1 carrot, grated
- 1 handful cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Instructions:
- Grill the chicken fillets in a grill pan or barbecue until done. Cut the chicken fillets into pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, cucumber, red pepper, grated carrot and cherry tomatoes.
- Add the grilled chicken pieces to the bowl.
- Make a dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, chopped parsley, salt and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix everything well.
- Serve the chicken quinoa salad as a main course or as a side dish with a healthy meal.
Enjoy these healthy chicken dinners!
Dinner recipes with rice
Here are two healthy dinner recipes with rice:
- Teriyaki chicken with vegetables and brown rice:
- Ingredients:
- 2 chicken fillets, cut into cubes
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 1 yellow pepper, diced
- 1 carrot, thinly sliced
- 1 cup broccoli, cut into small florets
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- Optional: sesame seeds and spring onions for garnish
- Instructions:
- Heat a little olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chicken fillet and fry until done.
- Add the peppers, carrots, broccoli and garlic to the pan and fry for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
- Mix the soy sauce, honey and sesame oil in a bowl. Pour this mixture over the chicken and vegetables in the pan. Stir well and fry for another 2-3 minutes.
- Serve the teriyaki chicken and vegetables with cooked brown rice. Garnish with sesame seeds and scallions if desired.
- Mexican Quinoa Bowl:
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup quinoa, uncooked
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn, drained
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 1 avocado, cut into slices
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Instructions:
- Cook the quinoa according to the instructions on the package.
- Heat a little olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the peppers and fry until soft.
- Add the black beans, corn, cumin powder, paprika powder, salt and pepper to the pan with paprika. Stir well and let it warm up.
- Mix the cooked quinoa with the bean-corn mixture in a large bowl. Add the lime juice and mix well.
- Serve the Mexican quinoa bowl with avocado slices and chopped coriander on top.
Enjoy these healthy dinners with rice!