Of course it is critical to choose your food carefully when you are on a diet, but you may not always have the time or desire to cook a fancy meal. A simple main dish can make it easier to stick to your diet, and there are plenty of choices for any meal. The best choices are low in calories and they do not have too many ingredients.
Salad
Salad with vegetables and a source of lean protein can be a simple main dish for a diet because you can make it ahead of time. Use greens and a variety of raw vegetables. Add some lean protein to make the salad more filling. To make your salad simpler to prepare, use a bag of salad and pre-cut vegetables and add ready-to-eat protein, such as canned beans, cooked chicken breast or canned light tuna.
Lean Proteins
A main dish for a diet can be a grilled or roasted source of low-fat protein, because lean proteins are low in calories and protein is a filling nutrient, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Skinless chicken or turkey breast, shrimp and fish are easy to prepare, and you can bake them in bouillon for flavor and moisture. Serve your protein with steamed vegetables, such as fresh green beans, asparagus or broccoli, or use frozen vegetables to speed up the preparation.
One-Dish Meals
A simple main dish for a diet can be a high-fiber, low-fat chili, with extra-lean ground beef or turkey; soy-based meat substitute or beans; canned tomatoes; and vegetables such as onions, celery and bell peppers. Another idea is soup, with broth, a bag of frozen vegetables and canned beans or diced chicken. A stir-fry can be a filling diet meal, and you can use a variety of fresh or frozen vegetables, along with lean protein such as scallops or tofu.
Breakfast
Preparing a simple breakfast instead of going to a fast-food restaurant or eating breakfast pastries or doughnuts, can help you succeed on a diet. For a hot breakfast, make an omelet with egg whites, which are fat-free and cholesterol-free; chopped vegetables; low-fat cheese; and cooking spray instead of butter. A container of fat-free plain or no sugar-added yogurt, along with some fruit, such as an apple or orange or some berries, is a simple breakfast for home or when you are on the go.
Member Comments