5 Healthy Recipe Ideas for a Trimmer New Year

This is a sponsored post not written by Hairspray and Highheels.

Anyone can make New Year’s resolutions with regard to getting fit, losing weight and generally living a healthier lifestyle – but how many of us have the knowledge and motivation to see them through to the end? A huge part of weight loss and wellness involves healthy eating, and these five recipe ideas could be just what you need to kick-start your healthier New Year.

1. Asian Chicken Stir-Fry

If you like to experiment with ingredients, throw everything into a frying pan and put your own twist on your favorite recipes, an Asian chicken stir-fry is the ideal tasty treat. Filled with flavor and goodness, this recipe idea is exceptionally easy to make, yet it looks fantastic on the plate. Featuring pea-shoot noodles, soy sauce and the unmistakable flavor of coconut, this dish proves that eating healthily doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice taste. This particular recipe is for three servings, but just double up if you’re feeding a family of five or six. You can then serve it with salad, in tortilla wraps or completely on its own.

2. Super Greens Soup

Soup is a fantastic stomach-filler, and it is ideal for the cold, winter months of the New Year. The Super Greens Soup is crammed with nutrients and vitamins, yet is also filled with flavor – ideal for lunch or as a hearty dinner with pulled meat. The recipe and method are relatively simple, so you can make your soup at the start of the week and freeze it – heating it up as and when you need it. Featuring garlic, broccoli, sprouts, leeks and spinach, this recipe is a great source of energy for your New Year workouts.

3. Chicken and Zucchini Meatballs

You may think that meatballs are off limits during a health and weight-loss regime, but these stunning chicken and zucchini meatballs are filling, tasty and satisfying without being terribly calorific. If you have a calorie counter, you might want to consider cooking some whole-wheat spaghetti to go with this delicious recipe (as long as you don’t exceed your calorie allowance!), but they are just as flavorsome with a tossed salad, some couscous or some green vegetables. For an extra healthy treat, stick to chicken breast; however, this recipe contains no breadcrumbs, so you may be able to really pig out without putting your weight loss goals in jeopardy.

4. Paleo Thai Chicken Pizza

You may be surprised to discover that your New Year weight loss programme doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the comfort foods you love. Featuring fresh vegetables, a coconut and egg cheese and a huge splash of color, this recipe for a paleo Thai chicken pizza is the ideal pick-me-up when you start to feel the pressure of sticking to your New Year’s resolution. Keep the base of this pizza thin, and you should be able to enjoy this tasty treat without making a large dent in your daily allowance of calories.

5. Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread

Whether you’re feeling peckish between meals or you’re in need of a pre-workout energy boost, chocolate chunk banana bread is perfect when for those times when you want to indulge in something a little naughty without piling on the pounds. With no added sugar, no gluten and a paltry amount of calories, you might think that this recipe lacks taste. However, it is packed with flavor and goodness, and it’s the perfect accompaniment to your mid-morning tea or coffee.

The only way you will ensure that your new healthy lifestyle is sustainable is if you fuel your body for the challenge ahead. However, it is vitally important that the food you eat is filling, nutritious and tasty. With these five healthy recipe ideas, you can give yourself the best chance possible of a fitter, leaner and happier New Year.