The Best Recipes To Try For Your Health Food Kick

Whether you've been told by your doctor that it's time to eat a little healthier, or you've found yourself having a harder time squeezing into your skinny jeans, switching from the "standard American diet" (known as SAD) filled with processed foods and unhealthy carbs and fats to a healthier meal plan doesn't have to be painful. In fact, there are lots of healthy, veggie- and protein-packed meals that you can whip up at home with little to no effort. And you just might be surprised how good they taste, too. Even your personal favorites, like pizza and cookies, can be given a healthy makeover. 

The key is to focus on recipes with nutrient-dense ingredients like lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and carbohydrates that haven't been highly processed. You don't have to be "afraid" of ingredients like potatoes or rice, or high-fat foods like avocado or coconut, as long as your overall diet is portion-controlled to ensure you're not overdoing your total calorie intake. But really, if you switch a drive-thru lifestyle for homemade meals consisting of recipes like the following, you may just be surprised how good you feel (and how much healthier you look) in a few short months. 

If you find it hard to make time to eat healthy in the morning, look no further than this quick and easy recipe for overnight oats. You simply mix the ingredients together the night before (and you can actually make several days' worth in advance to save yourself some time), then allow them to rest in the fridge overnight — the yogurt and milk soften the oats so you don't even have to cook them. If you pack them in transportable containers, you can grab one before you head out the door and eat your oats (filled with fiber to keep you full) when you reach the office. 

To be fair, cabbage "steaks" aren't going to fill you up like the real thing. And you probably shouldn't rely on them as the anchor to a major meal, but this crispy, oven-roasted cabbage recipe makes an excellent (and surprisingly tasty) veggie side that you can pair with grilled chicken, a serving of fresh fish, or your favorite sandwich. The prep time and seasonings are simple — you need nothing more than salt, pepper, olive oil, and garlic — but the resulting flavor sensation is full. If you want, add a drizzle of your favorite dressing across the top and eat up!

You don't have to ditch Taco Tuesday when making over your typical meal plan, but a few quick tweaks can turn your tacos into truly healthy options. First, switch out the typical ground beef for ground turkey or chicken when making this healthy taco recipe. Then, load up on the veggies — fresh tomatoes, diced onions, and peppers of your choice are all good places to start. A little cheese and some hot sauce will kick the flavor up a notch. Then, you'll limit your processed carbs by using iceberg lettuce leaves in place of more traditional tortillas. 

There's no reason to limit yourself to a single pizza recipe in your healthy menu arsenal, especially when there are so many tasty options available. This heart-healthy pizza recipe features made-from-scratch whole wheat crust topped with spinach, mushrooms, and mozzarella cheese. Plus, it only takes 35 minutes to whip up, which is almost the same amount of time it would take for a restaurant to deliver. And if, when you try it, it lacks some of the flavor you were hoping for, try adding a little extra garlic, diced onions, or even slices of jalapenos to the toppings — they won't add much in terms of calories, but they'll certainly amp up the flavor.

Who says that cookies can't be included in a well-balanced diet? This heart-healthy oatmeal cookie recipe includes rolled oats, whole wheat flour, flaxseed meal, walnuts, raisins, and maple syrup to serve as the sweetener. In other words, these cookies are made from delicious, mostly whole-food ingredients that make for the perfect breakfast indulgence or after-dinner treat. Bake up a batch before the week starts, then pack one to-go every morning to use as a late-morning breakfast or mid-afternoon pick-me-up.

Carrots are one of those veggies that are in almost everyone's weekly diet — they're inexpensive, they taste good raw or cooked, and they're an easy excuse to indulge in a side of ranch dressing. But if you're getting tired of packing a baggie of baby carrots in your lunch bag as your requisite midday veggie, try your hand at this roasted carrots recipe. The prep work is simple — just wash the carrots and drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper before letting your oven do the heavy lifting (and by lifting, we mean roasting). In a little less than an hour you'll have the perfect side dish to pair with a lean protein like chicken or turkey, or you can have a batch on hand for quick and healthy snacking.

If you haven't tried aguachile, you're missing out. This Mexican-derived, almost ceviche-like shrimp and vegetable dish is loaded with onions, cucumber, avocado, cilantro, lime juice, and hot peppers (choose between jalapenos or habaneros) for a spicy kick. Because it's filled with protein and good-for-you veggies, you can also feel good about using tortilla chips in place of a spoon to deliver it to your mouth. Mix up a large batch and serve it at your next summer barbecue — guests will be so floored by the flavors, they won't even realize what they're eating is downright healthy. 

When you're looking for the perfect dinner recipe that makes for delicious leftovers, you'll want to add this simple chicken stir fry to your weekly menu plan. Really, aside from pieces of chicken breast, you're looking at a meal packed with colorful veggies including bell peppers, snow peas, scallions, carrots, and broccoli. The only "bad" things in the recipe are a bit of oil (essential for stir fries) and a 1/4 cup of packed brown sugar. But when you consider the fact that the recipe makes eight servings, a little brown sugar isn't going to put much of a dent in your daily calorie consumption, and it'll be well-balanced by all of the other high-fiber, high-nutrient, high-protein ingredients.

If you haven't tried your hand at roasting a pan of veggies, then you're missing out. Even if you don't traditionally like vegetables, roasting them offers a whole new flavor and texture sensation — crispy parts on the outside, soft on the inside. This roasted veggie recipe is simple, calling for nothing more than salt, pepper, garlic, and olive oil to help bring out the savory flavors, and you can prepare a whole pan in just 30 minutes. And the best part? Even if you don't have all the vegetables called for on hand, you can make the recipe with what you've got — even subbing in other favorites like cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, or cabbage if you prefer.

It's easy to assume you have to give up all your favorite snacks when you start eating healthier, but while you may have to make some tweaks to your ingredients or preparation, there's really no food that should be completely off-limits. Case in point: chicken wings. Go ahead and whip up a batch for your next game day party, but try this baked wing recipe, rather than throwing a batch of breaded wings into a deep fryer. The real beauty is how simple the wings are to make — you just need salt, pepper, garlic, paprika, and baking powder to give them a dry rub that's to die for. 

If you're a seafood lover, there's no need to cut back on your favorite fish or shellfish on account of a new diet. Rather, skip the deep-fried versions and opt instead for grilled, baked, or pan-seared recipes like this recipe for grilled shrimp skewers. The marinade is nothing more than lemon, butter, olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic, and because you're cooking them on the grill, most of the added fat will drip off. The resulting flavor will melt in your mouth, leaving you with the perfect protein to pair with a summer salad or a side of grilled vegetables. 

When you want to jazz up your snack routine, there's really no simpler way to do so than to make this pumpkin hummus recipe. All you need is your favorite store-bought hummus and a can of pumpkin puree (better yet, leftovers from a can you used for a different recipe). With a little added pumpkin pie spice, you'll amp up the flavor and the nutrients in your favorite snack dip, giving it a decidedly seasonal taste sensation. Pair it with your favorite veggies, or use it as a spread on your favorite sandwich (pumpkin goes well with turkey, you know).