It’s time to start thinking about your meal plan for next week. From healthy veggie tacos to lighter Honey Walnut Shrimp, we’ve got five dinners that will get you through the busy week ahead — and healthfully, too, to kick the new year off right! So grab a pen, make your shopping list, and stock up before the weekend’s over. And if it’s easier for you to do that from your inbox, be sure to sign up for our weekly meal plan emails.
Top: Black Bean Tacos with Sweet Corn-Avocado Salad at Naturally Ella | Lighter Honey Walnut Shrimp at Little Spice Jar
Related: 12 healthy dinner ideas for your picky eater. Yes, really!
This week, we’re combining #MeatlessMonday and #TacoTuesday for these Black Bean Tacos with Sweet Corn-Avocado Salad at Naturally Ella. These are obviously most delicious in summer, made with fresh sweet corn, but there’s no reason to deprive yourself in winter when frozen corn can do such a good job of bringing together this super quick, super healthy dinner.
These days, with healthier eating on my mind, I’m hoping to make big dinner salads our main meal, but my kids can be pretty skeptical. If yours are the same way, these Chinese Chicken Salad Wraps at Carlsbad Cravings are one possible solution. Easy and quick — these come together in just 25 minutes — you wrap all the salad, made with hearty cabbage, veggies, and plenty of protein packed chicken, in a wrap and, suddenly, it doesn’t feel much like salad for dinner at all. Pretty smart.
The hearty, healthy Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup at Posh Journal is so simple and perfect for these cold winter nights. It’s also an easy way to get kids to eat their veggies. I plan on eating this as is to keep it lean — just meat and veg — but will cook egg noodles for the boys too.
Related: Skinny comfort food recipes that gently ease you into healthier eating.
I’m all for keeping it healthy day in and day out this month — it feels good to get back on track after a month (or more!) of decadent eating — but I cannot lie that, by now, I’m craving some take out. This Lighter Honey Walnut Shrimp at Little Spice Jar will hit the spot something fierce. Serve it with chopped cabbage and steamed rice, as suggested, or swap in riced cauliflower to keep this super light.
If you’re looking for lighter versions of delicious, family-friendly comfort foods (that are also Weight Watchers friendly, if that’s your thing), Skinnytaste is a fantastic resource. On my list from Skinnytaste this week: Gina’s Stuffed Pepper Soup. I love stuffed peppers, but instead of packing them full of high-fat ground beef, tons of rice, and cheese, this recipe keeps it quick, easy, and lean — without skimping on flavor or comfort. Perfect.
