I don’t know about you, but I have a few Christmas pounds to lose. After a week of eating carbs, carbs, and more carbs, it’s about time I get back to some clean eating. 

Fortunately, around this time last year I went through the exact same thing, and even took it to the extreme by going on the Whole 30 diet. While I have no plans to do that again, I do have a stash of super healthy recipes to help me get back on track. Since I know I am not the only one, I thought I would share my favorite top 17 healthy recipes to kick off the new year and get us all on the right track!

 

1 | Burger Bowl – This is one of my absolute favorite healthy meals that doesn’t actually feel like a healthy meal. I ditched the bun for a bed of lettuce and ate my burger like a salad (P, W30, GF)

2 | Creamy Tomato Soup – Even though this soup is rich and creamy, that doesn’t mean it’s packed with lots of cream. The secret ingredient is actually Greek yogurt which gives it that lush creaminess without the extra calories. (LF, V)

3 | Zucchini Lasagna – Lasagna is a classic comfort food. But when you swap the noodles for zucchini and beef for lean ground turkey, it’s actually one healthy meal! (GF)

4 | 5-Minute Cauliflower Rice – This side dish is a staple in my house! I use it as the foundation for a burrito bowl or as a side for some teriyaki chicken (see below). (P, W30, GF, V)

5 | Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps – When you think of healthy recipes, you probably don’t think of buffalo chicken. But this easy slow-cooker recipe is surprisingly healthy and delicious! (P, W30, GF, LF)

6 | Berry Quinoa and Kale Salad – Sometimes my body just craves everything healthy, and that’s when this salad comes in handy. Not only is it packed with kale, but also heart healthy nuts, avocado, and chickpeas as well as nutrient-rich berries. (V, GF)

7 | Chicken Fajita Roll Ups – Skip the tortilla and just wrap your fajita in the chicken itself! It makes the perfect low-carb, Paleo, and Whole 30 compliant meal! (P, W30, GF, DF, LF)

8 | Chicken and Quinoa Stuffed Avocados – Don’t let the fat in the avocado scare you away. A little fat, especially the good fat in avocados, is actually really good for you and your waistline. (GF)

9 | No Churn Strawberry Banana Ice Cream – What I love about this “ice cream” is that it actually has no cream in it whatsoever. It is made entirely of fruit! But the processed frozen bananas create that light creamy texture without the calories. (P, GF, LF, DF, V)

10 |Thai Salmon and Spiralized Vegetable Salad – While I am not a huge fish eater, this was one of my favorite recipes from the past year. The seasoned salmon and the crunchy spiralized veggies make it a perfectly healthy lunch or dinner option. (P, W30, GF)

11 | Cuban Pork Chops – This recipe is an oldie but a goodie. And it’s one of my most popular recipes for a reason – it’s delicious! There is so much flavor in the pork chop, you won’t even think you are eating healthy. (P, W30, GF)

12 | Slow-Cooker Hawaiian Pulled Pork – Another oldie but goodie. The best part about this recipe is that it’s only a couple ingredients that are cooked in a slow-cooker. The only work you have to do it to pull it apart. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be hard! (P, W30, GF)

13 | Homemade Acai Bowl – Don’t spend money on an expensive acai bowl when you can make it at home for a fraction of the price. It’s just like making your morning smoothie, but more fun! (P, W30, GF, V, DF)

14 | Paleo Beef Stroganoff – Again, beef stroganoff doesn’t really scream “healthy recipe”, but when you swap out a couple things, like the cream and the noodles, its much healthier! (P, W30, GF, DF)

15 | Almond Joy Bites – When cravings hit and it takes every ounce of will power to say “no” to the candy bar. Make these Almond Joy Bites instead. They taste like a candy bar but have no sugar whatsoever! (P, GF, V)

16 | Slow-Cooker Teriyaki Chicken – Teriyaki sauce is one of those food items that is surprisingly packed with sugar! Instead, make your own for this easy slow-cooker recipe! (P, GF, LF)

17 | Paleo Ranch Dressing – If you are on the Whole 30, you know you miss salad dressings! Make this Paleo version to use as dressing, dip, or to top off your Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps! (P, W30, DF)

(Note: I used the following letters to designate each recipes allergen and dietary information: P- Paleo, W30 – Whole 30 approved, GF- Gluten Free, V-Vegetarian, DF- Dairy Free, LF- Low Fat)

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