Healthy Living

Serve up any one of these delicious dishes alongside your favorite main for a flavorful weight loss-friendly meal. Each of these dishes is high in fiber and/or protein and low in calories to help you feel full and satisfied while aligning with your nutrition goals. Whether you need a crisp salad to pair with your panini or a batch of Brussels sprouts to serve up with steak, there is a side dish on this list for every occasion. Recipes like our Crunchy Cucumber, Radish & Snap Pea Chopped Salad and Salt & Vinegar Melting Potatoes are tasty ways to eat well.

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Crunchy Cucumber, Radish & Snap Pea Chopped Salad

This chopped salad combines crisp cucumber, sweet snap peas and peppery radishes with a bright lemon-shallot dressing. Letting the shallot stand briefly in the lemon juice softens its bite while building flavor in the dressing.

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02 of 17

These Melting Potatoes Taste Like Salt & Vinegar Chips

These tender-on-the-inside potatoes get their bold flavor from a classic salt-and-vinegar pairing. Roasting at a high temperature creates deeply golden edges, while a final splash of vinegar and broth infuses the potatoes with tangy brightness as they finish cooking.

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03 of 17

Smashed Green Beans with Parmesan & Balsamic

These Smashed Green Beans with Parmesan & Balsamic take a flavorful twist on a classic roasted side. Smashing the beans creates extra surface area that catches a coating of Parmesan and garlic, adding a savory crunch. A drizzle of tangy balsamic glaze ties it all together with a sweet-savory finish. If you follow a vegetarian diet, look for Parmesan made without animal rennet.

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04 of 17

Simple Fruit Salad

A quick lemon-honey dressing ties this adaptable fruit salad together, making it easy to create different variations with one simple base. You can also swap in seasonal fruit or use up what you have on hand, making this a go-to formula for the perfect fruit salad no matter what.

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05 of 17

Roasted Vegetable & Bean Pasta Salad

This easy pasta salad is a crowd-pleasing dish for any occasion. Roasted vegetables and white beans add plant-based fiber and protein, while a quick herb vinaigrette ties everything together. If you want to make it more filling, grilled chicken would be an excellent addition.

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06 of 17

Cucumber, Tomato & Avocado Salad

This vibrant cucumber, tomato and avocado salad is perfect for BBQs and backyard parties. The dressing is whisked together right in the salad bowl before you add the vegetables, so it's also incredibly easy to make. Choose a fairly firm avocado so it holds its shape in the salad.

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07 of 17

Melting Broccoli with Lemon & Feta

This melting broccoli roasts until tender and deeply caramelized, then finishes with a splash of broth for extra softness. Bright lemon and briny feta add contrast, making this simple side both comforting and vibrant.

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08 of 17

Melting Carrots with Lemon & Dill

Inspired by the technique behind melting potatoes, these melting carrots with lemon and dill turn buttery-soft on the inside while developing golden, caramelized edges. A drizzle of lemony broth and a pat of butter form a glossy glaze, finished with fresh dill for brightness.

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09 of 17

Quinoa with Peas & Lemon

Green peas add a pop of color to this bright whole-grain side dish. Plus, choosing frozen saves you time—no shelling required! Want to save even more time? Use a pouch of precooked quinoa.

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10 of 17

Ginger-&-Miso-Glazed Broccoli

A touch of maple or honey balances the flavor of umami-laden miso while thickening the sauce to coat this stir-fried broccoli.

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Crispy Smashed Sweet Potatoes with Parm

Nutmeg, thyme and garlic give tender sweet potatoes a warm, savory backbone, while Parmesan creates a golden crust that crisps beautifully in the oven. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt and fresh thyme at the end adds just the right finishing touch. Whether served at a festive gathering or alongside a cozy weeknight roast, these potatoes are sure to steal the spotlight.

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Rainbow Beet Salad

This rainbow beet salad is stunning on the table and nourishing on the plate. Roasted multicolored beets get tossed in a lemon-ginger vinaigrette that brightens every bite. The result is a salad that’s vibrant in both color and flavor, making it equally at home on the holiday table, as a potluck showpiece or as a special weeknight side.

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Air-Fryer Brussels Sprouts

These super-crispy and browned air-fryer Brussels sprouts with sweet onions and salty bacon--all amped up with bright lemon juice--are sure to be a hit, whether you serve them for a weeknight side dish or as part of your holiday spread for Thanksgiving. This recipe makes enough to serve eight but is easily halved, though once you taste it you may well want a double serving. And if you prefer a vegetarian side, simply omit the bacon.

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Spice-Crusted Roasted Potatoes

Inspired by Lebanese batata harra, these potatoes are coated in lots of spices before they're roasted.

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Balsamic Broccoli & Cauliflower

Reaching for a frozen broccoli & cauliflower blend to make this flavor-packed side dish helps save time on chopping, plus the frozen veggies cook quicker than fresh!

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Crispy Smashed Beets with Goat Cheese

Cooked beets are lightly pressed and pan-fried for a charred, crispy outer crust--similar to that of smashed potatoes. The herbed goat cheese dip makes this healthy appetizer or easy side dish even more delicious.

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Grilled Broccoli with Smoky Yogurt Sauce

Blanching broccoli florets before charring ensures the broccoli's tender all the way through, helping it crisp up quickly in a very hot pan. Firing up the grill? Cook the blanched broccoli in a grill basket over medium-high heat instead.

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These totable midday meals are sure to help you power through an afternoon at work. Each serving of these simple, 10-minute lunches has at least 15 grams of protein, which can help support strong bones and muscle growth. Plus, protein can keep you feeling full for a longer period of time, so you won't spend your day distracted by a growling stomach. Recipes like our Cucumber-Avocado Sandwich and our Lemon-Dill Tuna Salad are simple but tasty ways to shake up your break room routine.

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Cucumber-Avocado Sandwich

This creamy, crunchy sandwich layers salty feta, crisp cucumber and silky avocado between slices of whole-wheat toast. A simple yogurt-feta spread adds richness and tang, while spinach and red onion bring freshness and bite, perfect for a quick lunch.

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02 of 15

Cheese Dreams with Tomatoes

Cheese Dreams are nostalgic open-faced cheesy toasts—simple, satisfying and perfect for lunch. This version is inspired by a family favorite: juicy tomato slices layered under melted Cheddar cheese on crisp whole-wheat toast. Toasting the bread first keeps it from getting soggy under the tomatoes. Watch out: The scalding cheese-and-tomato can burn the roof of your mouth if you’re not careful. I like to eat mine with a fork and knife to cool off each bite, but feel free to eat these however you choose.

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03 of 15

Lemon-Dill Tuna Salad

This lemon-dill tuna salad packs plenty of protein and gets a boost of flavor from sumac, a spice used in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and North African cooking that adds a citrusy touch, enhancing the lemon flavor without overshadowing the other ingredients. Serve this between two pieces of whole-wheat bread as a sandwich, or by itself with tender Bibb lettuce or crunchy celery sticks.

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04 of 15

Cucumber-Avocado-Tomato Sandwich

This tomato, cucumber and avocado sandwich is the perfect light and easy lunch. With a few fresh ingredients, you can have a satisfying meal in just 10 minutes. Creamy avocado and hummus provide plant-based protein and healthy fats, while juicy tomatoes and crisp cucumbers bring refreshing crunch and flavor. Layer it all on whole-grain bread for an extra boost of fiber, and you’ve got a quick and wholesome sandwich at the ready!

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05 of 15

The Only High-Protein Mason Jar Salad Formula You Need

Mason jar salads make for a convenient lunch that can easily be taken on the go or enjoyed at home. With just a few ingredients, you have a well-rounded lunch packed with fiber, protein and micronutrients that won’t spike your blood sugars. This nutritious Mason jar salad allows plenty of room for customization based on your preferences.

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06 of 15

Cucumber & Tomato Sandwich

This herby cucumber and tomato sandwich is crisp and refreshing, making the most out of summer’s produce bounty. Chives add a delicate onion flavor to the cream cheese, but dill or basil can be used in their place.

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07 of 15

Green Goddess Tuna Salad

Canned tuna makes this recipe convenient and pantry-friendly while also offering an impressive punch of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon, sardines or mackerel would work just as well in this quick recipe. Use the remaining herb sauce as a dressing for salads or grain bowls, as a spread on sandwiches or as a dip for vegetables. This recipe is easily doubled to make a big batch to meal-prep for the week. Serve on bread, in a wrap, over a bed of greens or scooped up with your favorite chips, crackers or cucumber slices.

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08 of 15

The Best Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich

This rotisserie chicken sandwich is flavored with a dressing inspired by muhammara—a Middle Eastern sauce made from roasted red peppers, breadcrumbs, walnuts and spices.

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09 of 15

Buffalo Chickpea Salad

We took all the flavors you know and love from Buffalo wings and used them in this plant-based chickpea salad. Celery adds a satisfying crunch, while blue cheese provides a cooling element to balance the spicy sauce. Serve on top of leafy greens or use as a sandwich filling.

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Get Your Greens Wrap

This healthy, quick wrap is packed with plenty of green vegetables—cucumber, sprouts and lettuce add crunch, avocado lends creaminess and edamame provides some plant-based protein.

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Pasta Salad with Vinaigrette Lunchbox

Pasta salad is a great take-along lunch with tons of opportunity to make it your own. Want to make it vegetarian? Pack olives in place of salami. Don't love peppers? Try tomatoes instead! Be sure that you pack at least one container big enough to hold everything together once it's mixed (about 1 1/2 cups).

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Loaded Cucumber & Avocado Sandwich

This loaded cucumber-and-avocado sandwich is filled with creamy avocado and crispy cucumbers. Ricotta cheese mixed with extra-sharp Cheddar adds flavor while sliced red peppers offer a splash of color.

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Quinoa Deli Salad

This healthy version of a deli salad combines hearty quinoa and chickpeas with small amounts of ham and mozzarella, so you get all of the flavor without overdoing it on the sodium. This healthy quinoa salad is great as dinner and doubles as a delicious lunch the next day.

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Chickpea Salad Sandwich

This vegan chickpea salad sandwich is lemony, bright and surprisingly delicious. It's got all the flavors of a classic tuna salad sandwich—dill, lemon and a bit of garlic—but with chickpeas instead to add a vegan source of protein and a healthy boost of fiber. Celery brings a nice crunch.

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DIY Taco Lunchbox

Who doesn't love a taco? While the tortillas most likely won't be warm when you eat it, warming them first keeps them pliable for filling. If you're missing the crunch of a hard taco, sub tortilla chips for the soft tortillas.

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