Preparing dinner at home allows you to control ingredients and cooking methods to ensure that you are consuming a healthy dinner. Cooking your own meals is also important if you have health conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease, according to HelpGuide.org. Experimenting with recipes in your own kitchen can create a variety of healthy meals that you can cook for family and friends and can feel good about serving and eating.
Salmon
Salmon is a good food to add to your healthy dinner because it is low in fat and calories and the fat that it does contain is the heart healthy variety, called omega-3 fatty acids. Getting adequate amounts of omega-3s in your diet decreases your risk of heart disease and keeps your skin and joints healthy, according to Salmon Facts. Roast, grill or bake a 3 oz. serving of salmon and serve it alongside some brown rice and steamed vegetables for a meal that is low in fat and calories, but high in nutrients. Other good sources of omega-3s include tuna, herring and sardines. Experiment with spices to create new flavors that will keep you from getting bored with eating fish.
Salad
Preparing a salad full of nutrient-rich vegetables is a healthy choice for dinner and is quick and easy. Leafy greens are a good source of a variety of nutrients, including vitamins A and C, calcium and fiber, reports Colorado State University Extension. Spinach, red leaf lettuce and romaine lettuce contain more nutrients than iceberg. Chop and add your favorite vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, corn, radishes, broccoli and bell peppers to up the nutrition of your salad. Include some protein so that your meal keeps you full until morning when you eat again. Throw in some beans, lean turkey, chopped hard boiled egg or low-fat cheese for increased protein intake. Stick to reduced fat dressings to keep your salad from becoming too high in fat and calories.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a good accompaniment to roasted or grilled chicken or pork and contain more nutrients than regular potatoes. According to "Reader's Digest," a sweet potato packs fiber and vitamins A and C and help you reach your recommended daily totals. Loading them up with butter, cinnamon and sugar, as many recipes call for, negates the health benefits. Bake or roast sweet potatoes and use herbs and spices to add flavor rather than drowning them in fat and calories. Sweet potatoes also make a good soup when roasted and pureed with a little fat-free cream and nutmeg. Pureed sweet potatoes are a healthy substitute for some of the meat in stew and casseroles, as well.
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