Eating Healthy Made Simple: Here Are 4 Easy Dinner Ideas

One of the hardest things about eating healthy is coming up with easy and nutritious dinner ideas night after night, week after week.

It’s tempting to default to unhealthy processed foods or takeout when we’re short on time and energy.

But eating healthy doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. You can make simple, delicious, and nutritious meals at home with just a few ingredients.

Here are four easy and healthy dinner ideas to try this week:

Broiled Asparagus and Salmon

Salmon is packed with protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Combine it with nutrient-rich asparagus, and you’ve got a complete and balanced meal that’s easy to make.

Preheat your broiler, line a baking sheet with foil and place the asparagus and salmon on the sheet. Season the salmon with salt, pepper, lemon juice, garlic, and other herbs or spices. For the asparagus, you may enjoy brushing it with olive oil and garlic for added flavor.

Then broil for about 10 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and the asparagus is tender.

Grain Bowls

Grain bowls are a versatile and easy way to pack a lot of nutrients into one meal. Start with a base of brown rice, quinoa, or another whole grain.

Then, add whatever vegetables you have on hand. Some good options include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, tomatoes, and kale. Fry them, steam them, bake them—whatever cooking method you prefer—then add them to your bowl.

Add beans, salmon, chicken, or tofu for extra protein, and top your bowl with a healthy dressing or sauce. For example, try salsa, balsamic vinegar, or olive oil.

Vegetarian Stir-Fry Lettuce Wraps

Stir-fries are another great way to use up whatever vegetables you have on hand. You can really add any veggies you like, but some good options include onions, mushrooms, peas, bean sprouts, and peppers. You can add brown rice or noodles to make it a more filling meal.

Stir-fry your veggies in a little oil until they’re tender, then add some seasonings, such as ginger, garlic, and soy sauce, for flavor. Use lettuce leaves, wrap the veggies and rice like a burrito, and enjoy. This vegetable-packed meal will fill you up with an abundance of healthful nutrients.

A Big Loaded Salad

Salads are an obvious choice for a healthy meal, but they can be boring if you just throw a pre-made bag of lettuce in a bowl as a side or an appetizer. To make a more filling and interesting salad, start with a base of dark, leafy greens like kale or spinach. Mix in other types of lettuce for extra flavor and a wider range of nutrients.

Then, add some chopped vegetables, such as carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. Add protein-rich food like beans, chicken, salmon, hard-boiled eggs, or tofu.

Instead of a fatty or creamy dressing, opt for something lighter, like balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, or olive oil.

A big salad like this is not a side dish or an appetizer—it’s a complete and satisfying meal all on its own.