Summer is winding down and soon we will welcome the cool, crisp air of fall. That means it's almost time for soft, forgiving sweaters that keep us warm and hide the inevitable weight gain that comes from eating the richer, more calorie-dense foods of the season.
Instead of writing off all the hard work you did to stay beach-body ready this summer, why not incorporate delicious, healthy meals into your daily diet? Try any of these low-calorie dishes and see just how great it feels to eat well while still staying healthy.
1. Three Bean Chili
This dish is amped up with veggies like sweet bell peppers, pasilla chiles, onions and ripe tomatoes. It can be prepared with lean ground beef, turkey, chicken or even vegetarian style. The calorie and fat count per serving ranges from 260 calories and 4.75 grams of fat, to 400 calories and 12 grams of fat, depending on how you prepare it. This is a truly versatile and healthy dish you can enjoy without guilt.
2. Bacon Egg & Cheese Biscuits
This recipe will provide the necessary protein and carbs to keep you energized, and your stomach happy until lunch. Skip McDonald's with this healthier version that has 388 calories and 24 grams of fat per sandwich.
This aromatic, lightly spiced eggplant dish is sure to make even the not-so-eggplant-positive eaters rejoice. Not only is it a delicious way to eat this healthy vegetable, when served over steamed rice it only has 211 calories and 5.3 grams of fat per serving.
This healthy, bold chicken recipe incorporates tangy balsamic vinegar and a blend of delicious vegetables, all while packing a mere 387 calories and 9.7 grams of fat per serving.
This spicy, sub-continental inspired dish incorporates the robust flavor of mixed vegetables and creamy chickpeas in an easy, flavorful curry preparation. Each serving has 276 calories and 7.2 grams of fat.
Another one-pot favorite. While it technically isn't under 400 calories, one serving of this wine and herb infused pasta dish has just 418 calories and 12 grams of fat, making it just close enough to count.
7. Special Occasion Lasagna
This cheesy, garlicky and gooey lasagna recipe is a hit for families. With only 284 calories and 8.8 grams of fat per serving, you can indulge in a classic favorite without adding pounds to the scale.
8. Chinese-Style Fried Brown Rice
By utilizing brown rice instead of white and minimizing the amount of oil, this Chinese take-out favorite has just 399 calories and 14.5 grams of fat per serving.
This slow-cooker recipe is a great way to indulge in traditional Asian-infused barbecue pork. Each serving has 227 calories and 9.5 grams of fat, leaving room for a tasty side dish.
This delicious and filling dish features lemony shrimp, raisins, cherry tomatoes and fluffy couscous. At only 385 calories and 10 grams of fat per serving, you won't feel bad about making this meal a few nights in a row.
As you can see, there are many fantastic recipes available that manage to deliver big on flavor, while still helping you maintain your healthy weight. When it comes to eating right, a new, light recipe is just a click away.
Bryanne Salazar is a freelance writer and editor, a contributing author for the website What the Flicka?, and a food-meets-culture blogger living in Southern California. Her blog, Bryanne Bites the World documents her explorations of various ethnic communities and food cultures across the United States. Bryanne has a degree in English focused on creative writing, and loves to pen short stories in her spare time. She is also an advocate for women and girls worldwide, the mother of two teenage boys, and the wife of an active duty United States Marine. You can follow Bryanne on Twitter and Facebook to see what she's working on next.
