10 Simple & Healthy Recipes That Prove Eating Healthy Doesn’t Have To Suck

Does the quarantine 15 have you breaking out your stretchy pants and ditching your New Year's resolution to get healthy? With gym closures, easy access to delivery, and grocery store visits feeling like something out of The Purge, I can understand the lure of ditching your health and fitness goals. Consider this your sign to get back on track or start your health journey, and don't let Coronavirus keep you from making the most out of your 2020.

Everything you need to succeed is right there in your local grocery store. Get ready to create flavorful and filling dishes that will make you wonder why you didn't do this sooner! The truth is, healthy eating doesn't have to suck, and here are ten recipes that will get you excited about eating healthy.

1. Two-Ingredient Banana Pancakes

Let's kick off our list with a tasty breakfast option for the most important meal of the day! These two-ingredient banana pancakes are quick and easy. Best of all, they are also gluten and dairy-free for those with diet restrictions! For one to two servings (depending on your appetite), the recipe calls for one banana and two eggs. Simple, right?

Begin by cracking your eggs into a medium-sized bowl. Then, add banana chunks to your eggs. Mash the bananas and combine the mixture using a spoon or mixer until it is well mixed (it's okay to leave a few smaller chunks in the mix). Next, you will heat a griddle or frying to medium heat and pour the mixture onto the surface (recommend smaller pancakes as they are easier to flip). Once the edges of your pancake begin to brown, flip the pancake and let it cook for another 30-60 seconds. Remove the pancake from the cooking surface and serve with your choice of syrup. Throw in a little extra fruit for added flavor!

*For fluffier pancakes, add ⅛ teaspoon of baking powder per serving.

2. Cauliflower Pizza

Next on our list is a meal that has become increasingly popular lately, and that is cauliflower pizza. Cauliflower has become a game-changer for carb lovers, by offering a tasty alternative for many popular recipes. Whether you want to make your own crust or buy it in the store, cauliflower pizza is a great, healthier alternative to regular pizza, and it tastes delicious! If you are like me and want to keep it simple, stick to store-bought cauliflower crust. All that's left to do is load up your pizza with the toppings of your choice and pop it in the oven according to the crust's baking instructions. Personally, I love to keep it classic with an Instagram-worthy pizza margherita. All you need is a sauce, fresh basil, and fresh mozzarella.

3. Zucchini Spaghetti

Whether you want something keto-friendly or a tasty vegan option, spaghetti with zoodles (zucchini noodles) is a delicious and guilt-free meal. First, you will need to invest in either a spiralizer or a julienne peeler (both can be found on Amazon for $10 or less). The recipe calls for 3-4 medium to large zucchini, 1 24oz jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce, 1pound of ground turkey, 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil, and the seasoning of your choice.

Begin by adding the olive oil to a large skillet and bringing the pan to medium heat. Next, you will add the ground turkey* and begin to brown the meat. In between occasional stirring, you will cut the ends off of your zucchini and use the spiralizer or peeler to create your zoodles, then set them aside. Once your meat has sufficiently cooked, add the spaghetti sauce and bring the skillet down to a simmer. Next, you will saute your zoodles in a pan until they are softened to your liking. Remove both pans from the heat and serve.

*For a vegan alternative to ground turkey, add chopped, sauteed mushrooms to your sauce.

4. 5-Minute Turkey Club Lettuce Wrap

Lettuce wraps are a delicious, low-carb alternative that is really only limited by your creativity! From wraps to tacos to summer rolls, you can use this healthy substitute to alter a variety of your favorite meals! I've found romaine lettuce to work best so far.

All you need is sliced turkey, bacon, tomato, and mayo to make this quick and easy lunch on the go. If you like your clubs with all the works, throw in your favorite add-ons like sliced avocado. You won't be disappointed.

5. Egg Muffins

If meal prepping is your jam, then egg muffins are for you. These grab-n-go breakfasts are both nutritious and delicious. For this recipe, you'll need 8 eggs, ½ cup of skim milk, 1 cup of shredded cheese, 1 cup of finely chopped bell peppers, ½ cup of roughly chopped spinach, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and 2 scallions thinly sliced. Before you begin, you'll need to preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease your cupcake pan. Once you have combined your ingredients of choice, simply scoop the mixture into the pan, leaving room for the eggs to fluff up. Bake them for 20-25 minutes, then enjoy!

Note: For an even lighter option, try egg white muffins!

6. Caprese Chicken

If you want something fast yet fancy, look no further than this delicious Italian dish. This recipe is great because not only does it take less than 30 minutes to make, but the short list of ingredients packs a flavor-filled punch. For this recipe, you'll need chicken breast, fresh basil, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and a balsamic glaze. With this recipe, quality makes a difference. You'll want to get the best ingredients within your budget.

Begin by combining your seasoning of choice into a small bowl. I like to use Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Next, you will brush each side of your chicken breast with olive oil and sprinkle the seasoning over each side. Heat up your grill or grill pan over high heat and let it remain on for 5 minutes before adding the chicken to the surface. Grill, the chicken breast for 5-6 minutes on each side or until the chicken, reached a temperature of 155 degrees. Then you'll place two slices of fresh mozzarella over each chicken breast until it melts slightly and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Finally, remove the chicken breasts from the pan and top them with several slices of tomato and fresh basil. Drizzle some balsamic on the top glaze and serve!

Note: If you're using a pan for cooking the chicken, I would suggest using a lid to help the cheese melt.

7. Veggie Pasta Salad

This tasty option is great for gatherings or if you're just craving something light. The great thing about veggie pasta is that you can have the delicious taste and look of traditional pasta without the guilt and trouble that comes with carbs! You'll need 2 cooked, medium chicken breasts, shredded or chopped (I use rotisserie chicken), 2 ripe avocados pitted and diced, 1 pound of cooked rotini vegetable pasta, 1/2 cup chopped red onion, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved, 1/2 cup freshly chopped basil, and salt and fresh cracked pepper, to taste. For the dressing, you'll need 1/2 cup white wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste.

In a large bowl, add the salad ingredients, and in a jar or smaller bowl, combine the ingredients for the dressing. Drizzle your chicken pasta salad with the dressing, and toss gently until all the ingredients are combined. Serve the salad immediately, or chill for later. Yum!

8. Sheet Pan Beef Fajitas

If you're anything like me this quarantine, you miss the sizzle of fresh fajitas from your favorite Mexican restaurant. While delivery is still an option in some cases, never let yourself be deprived again with this quick and easy sheet pan fajita recipe. First, you'll want to preheat your oven to 400 degrees. While you're waiting, just throw on your thinly sliced flank steak onto a baking sheet prepped with cooking spray. Next, add your sliced bell peppers, sliced red onions, and the seasoning of your choice. You are well on your way to a delicious meal! Just pop them in the oven for about 20-25 minutes, remove them and enjoy! (For a healthier option, use lettuce cups instead of tortillas.)

9. Broccoli, Chicken, And Cauliflower Rice Casserole

This healthy spin on a dinner classic allows you to enjoy this tasty dish guilt-free. Once again, cauliflower saves the day. If you like a quality 30-minute meal with great shortcuts, this one's for you! To get started you'll need 1 ½ cups milk, 2 tbsp cornstarch or tapioca starch, 4 cups uncooked cauliflower rice, 1 head broccoli, 1 bell pepper finely diced, 1 rotisserie chicken shredded, 1/2 cup cream cheese, 1 ½ cup old cheddar cheese, 1 ½ cups fresh mozzarella cheese (shredded, divided). For the seasoning, you will need: 4 tsp dried oregano, 2 tsp sweet paprika, ½ tsp ground pepper, 1/2 -1 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp dried powdered garlic, 2 tsp dried powdered onion, and parsley (optional).

Now for the easy part. Preheat the oven to 400 F and grease a 13x9" casserole. In a large bowl, mix together your cauliflower rice, broccoli, bell pepper, chicken, milk, cream cheese, 1 cup cheddar, 1 cup mozzarella, oregano, garlic, onion, paprika, pepper, and salt. Toss this gently to mix very well and transfer the mixture to the casserole dish. In a small bowl, mix together the milk and the cornstarch or tapioca starch. Top the casserole with the remaining ½ cup of cheddar and ½ cup of mozzarella. Bake the dish for 45 minutes, uncovered, or until it is golden brown. Allow the casserole to sit for 5 minutes before topping with parsley and enjoy.

10. 4- Ingredient Overnight Oats

Last but not least, we have overnight oats. This fantastic breakfast is not only delicious and good for you, but also requires little effort on your part. If you're wondering what the difference is between overnight oats and regular oatmeal, it's all in how you prepare them. Rather than cooking your oatmeal in the microwave or on the stovetop, overnight oats simply require you to combine your ingredients and let them sit overnight. That's it!

To get started, you'll need rolled oats, almond milk, chia seeds, and maple syrup. If necessary, you can modify the choice of milk or syrup to fit your needs. Next, you'll need an 8 oz container (mason jars work great). Now all that's left is to combine ½ cup of rolled oats, ½ cup of almond milk, 2 teaspoons of chia seeds, and one tablespoon of maple syrup. Stir your ingredients, cover the container, and let it sit overnight. In the morning, remove the covering and eat the oats plain or add the fruit of your choice!

Tried any of these recipes lately?