Registered for classes? Check. Back to school supplies? Check. List of healthy and easy recipes? Wait. Did I get you there? If you don’t have your list (or at least an idea) of healthy and easy recipes for school, no worries! I got your back. Not only are these recipes healthy, simple, AND DELICIOUS, but they’re also perfect for ANYONE who may have limited kitchen utilities.
But before we get into those recipes, I want to arm you with the knowledge of HOW to make a meal healthy so that you have the power to modify any meal to be balanced. My number one tip for a healthy plate? Add more plants! Plant-based foods provide us with much needed nutrients like fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. So when eating breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, look for ways to add an extra fruit or vegetable to your plate. It can be as simple as a handful of blueberries to your cereal, carrot sticks with lunch, raisins in your trail mix, or canned green beans with dinner.
So now that we know how to make our plates healthy, let’s make it simple and delicious!
Mason jar recipes have been around forever – and for good reason! They’re super versatile and become their own little Tupperware so no extra packing necessary. You can prep a salad like this Cobb Salad in a Jar and simply shake it when you’re ready to eat! Or, if you’re like me and enjoy warm lunches, try this Mason Jar Noodles with Veggies recipe – all you need is boiling water!
Now if you are fortunate enough to have some appliances like a microwave or slow cooker, you can take your recipes up a notch! Believe it or not, your microwave can do more than just re-heat! To a microwavable bowl, add seasoned fish and raw veggies, cover, and microwave for about five minutes or until thoroughly cooked. Pair with microwavable whole grains and you have a quick, delicious, and nutritious meal! Keep in mind – half plate fruits and veggies, a quarter plate lean protein, and a quarter plate whole grains and your microwavable meal possibilities are endless!
Slow cookers are the perfect way to cook a meal while you’re in class. Add all your ingredients to the pot and set it to cook. When you come home, you’ll have a homecooked meal ready for ya, like these al pastor tacos! Add some bagged shredded lettuce and an avocado for extra plants on your plate!
And don’t forget, a meal doesn’t have to be a traditional “meal” to be healthy and delicious. Throwing together a “snack box” or charcuterie-styled meal is a quick and easy way to achieve healthy, simple, and delicious. Just remember to focus on those plants! For more recipes, head to giantfood.com/savory and for more healthy living resources, reach out to [email protected]!
Thu Huynh is a registered dietitian on Giant’s Healthy Living Team. When she isn’t discovering new whole grains to add to her plate, she’s fully embracing the Millennial Mom life at home and on Giant’s social media platforms. In her off-time, she enjoys watching her succulents (and sons) grow.
