January 18, 2024
Easy Healthy Meals to Embrace Healthful Eating This Year and Beyond
The new year is the perfect time to discover the power of frozen and refrigerated foods. Whether you’re a busy parent or looking for ways to make better choices, your freezer and refrigerator are your secret weapons for creating nutritious, delicious meals. As proven by NFRA’s consumer research, frozen and refrigerated foods offer unmatched convenience, nutrition, and value – making them perfect for creating easy, healthy meals that fit your lifestyle. Here’s why frozen and refrigerated foods are game-changers:
- Peak Nutrition & Taste: Flash-freezing technology locks in nutrients and flavor at their peak, while modern dairy innovations provide essential nutrients in convenient forms.
- Ultimate Convenience: From pre-cut vegetables to ready-to-use dairy products, these foods minimize prep time without sacrificing quality.
- Smart Portion Control: Pre-portioned options help manage serving sizes and reduce food waste.
- Year-Round Value: Access seasonal ingredients any time, with longer shelf life than fresh alternatives.
- Innovative Solutions: Today’s frozen and refrigerated aisles offer modern options for every dietary preference and need.
Ready to make healthful eating delicious and fun all year round?
Easy Healthy Meals to Start the Year Right
Starting fresh doesn’t have to mean a total overhaul of your pantry. By making a few simple tweaks to your shopping habits, like stocking up on frozen fruits, veggies, and lean proteins, you’ll always have the essentials for healthy meals on hand. Getting the best dairy products is important as well, so understand all your choices with the Top Dairy Aisle Picks from a Registered Dietician and The Dish on Dairy by an RD.
By prioritizing frozen ingredients, you can reduce food prep time and still enjoy wholesome, satisfying meals. Use these easy healthy meals help you kick off your year on the right note!
Quick Healthy Breakfast Ideas
Breakfast sets the tone for the rest of your day, so why not make it nutritious and delicious? From comfort foods to modern twists, these healthy breakfast ideas are easy to prepare and packed with everything you need to fuel your morning.
A protein-packed combination of frozen breakfast staples and fresh dairy, featuring scrambled eggs with shredded cheese, turkey bacon, and golden hash browns. Perfect example of how frozen and refrigerated products work together for a satisfying start.
These soft, chewy bars are bursting with the cozy flavors of pumpkin and sweet spice. Perfect for busy mornings, they’re a grab-and-go option that will keep you energized until lunch.
Light, crispy phyllo dough cradles a perfectly cooked egg and prosciutto for a breakfast that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. This protein-packed dish feels indulgent but is simple to prepare.
Jimmy Dean’s Delights Frittatas with Fresh Avocado, Tomato and Parsley
Creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, and fresh parsley take these bacon and spinach frittatas to the next level. This recipe is a quick and tasty way to pack your morning with nutrients and flavor.
Good Nutritious Lunch Ideas
Lunchtime is a chance to refuel and recharge for the rest of the day. These good, nutritious lunch recipes are designed to balance flavor and health, with options that are as easy and satisfying.
Creamy, dreamy, and light, this dish proves you don’t have to give up pasta to eat healthily. With juicy shrimp and a velvety sauce, it’s the perfect midday pick-me-up you can fit in your lunch box.
A warm, toasted sandwich stuffed with juicy turkey meatballs and marinara sauce? Yes, please! This protein-rich lunch is as satisfying as it is flavorful.
Colorful, vibrant, and bursting with fresh veggies, this quinoa bowl is a lunchtime favorite. It’s a balanced, nutrient-packed meal that’s as fun to eat and easy to prepare.
Cozy up with a bowl of this hearty soup that’s packed with delicious veggies and protein. Ready in just a few minutes, it’s the ultimate comfort food for busy middays.
Simple and Easy Healthy Dinners
Relax and enjoy wholesome, satisfying and healthy dinner ideas with family or on your own. These easy recipes will prove that healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing taste.
Dive into a bowl of rich, spiced tomato sauce topped with perfectly poached eggs. This dish feels like a treat but is filled with protein and warmth that’s great for a quick dinner.
Who says pasta night has to be full of heavy ingredients? Zucchini noodles topped with tender meatballs and tossed in a yogurt sauce offers a light, fresh twist on a favorite dish.
Picture sizzling turkey meatballs nestled in warm tortillas and topped with colorful peppers and onions. It’s a fun, hands-on dinner that’s perfect for a weeknight or weekend feast.
Hearty beans, fresh veggies, and tasty spices come together in this comforting bowl of vegetarian chili. It’s plant-based, satisfying, and a total crowd-pleaser on a chilly night.
Quick Healthy Snacks for Busy Days
Snacking doesn’t have to derail your health goals! These quick, healthy snack ideas are perfect for when hunger strikes between meals.
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with delicious veggie goodness, these tots are the perfect snack! And a toss in some spicy sauce makes them irresistibly bold.
This vibrant green smoothie is like a tropical vacation in a glass. With spinach, avocado, and the sweetest fruits, it’s refreshing, nutrient-packed, and ready in minutes.
Lox & Cream Cheese Phyllo Bites
Flaky phyllo dough filled with cream cheese and topped with smoked salmon makes for an elegant, bite-sized treat. Perfect for a snack or appetizer, they’re as fancy as they are easy.
Creamy, tangy, and just the right amount of spicy, this dip is a game-day winner. Made with lean chicken and yogurt, it’s a snack you can feel good about enjoying.
Want even more delicious ideas for quick, healthy snacks and meals? Check out our list of easy-to-make slow cooker meals and 21 healthy snacks.
Indulge with these Quick Healthy Desserts
Yes, sweets can be part of a healthful eating plan! These quick, healthy desserts are lighter versions of your favorites, offering all the indulgence without the guilt.
Fudgy and rich, these brownies are a sweet treat with a secret: nutrient-packed sweet potatoes! They’re the perfect way to enjoy chocolate without all the sugar.
Homemade Strawberry Tart Frozen Yogurt
Tart, sweet, and deliciously refreshing, this frozen yogurt is a super simple to make. It’s the perfect way to end to any meal, especially when you need to cool off on those warm nights.
Velvety smooth and deeply chocolatey, this dip is a match made in heaven for all of your favorite fresh fruits. It’s an easy, indulgent dessert that tastes incredibly decadent.
Creamy yogurt, crunchy granola, and bites of sweet berries come together in this frozen treat. It’s a light and refreshing dessert that’s great for sharing or keeping all to yourself!
