7-Day Healthy Aging Meal Plan That Follows the Mediterranean Diet, Created by a Dietitian

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
Having a delicious dessert at the end of the night doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your nutrition goals. These sweet bites all have no more than 225 calories per serving and have at least 7 grams of protein and/or 3 grams of fiber per serving. Make our simple and easy Chocolate Strawberry Nice Cream or our comforting Maple-Cinnamon Sweet Potato Bread for a delicious dessert that can help you achieve your weight loss goals.
01 of 09
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
This dairy- and lactose-free nice cream uses just four simple ingredients to create a tasty dessert. The chocolate-strawberry combination is perfectly balanced with ripe banana for a dessert without added sugars. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt takes the flavor to the next level, but it’s delicious even without it.
02 of 09
The key to this sweet dessert is freezing the bananas so they form the base of the bark. We use peanut butter, but you could swap in your favorite nut butter for an equally delicious treat. Be sure to have the chopped peanuts ready to go as soon as you add the chocolate layer—it hardens quickly since everything is frozen. Press the peanuts lightly to make sure they adhere to the bark.
03 of 09
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Enjoy these delightful carrot cake oatmeal bars, perfect for a snack or dessert alongside a steaming cup of coffee.
04 of 09
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
Chocolate protein powder adds staying power to this tasty protein ice cream. Maple syrup lends a touch of sweetness, while peanut butter powder provides nuttiness for a flavorful sweet treat. Toppings like cacao nibs and crushed peanuts provide a satisfying crunch.
05 of 09
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
This comforting sweet potato bread is perfect with a cup of coffee or tea for breakfast or served with a dollop of maple ice cream or sweetened whipped cream for a light dessert. Be sure not to overcook the sweet potato in the microwave—a dry sweet potato will make the bread less moist.
06 of 09
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco and Lexi Juhl
Nice cream is for everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions. This dairy- and lactose-free, no-added-sugar version comes together as fast as the blades in your food processor can spin. It’s bright with blueberries and creamy from bananas, making it a simple and easy dessert with a good dose of dietary fiber. How much more can you ask from a delicious frozen summer dessert?
07 of 09
This inverted caramel custard dessert is often found on Mexican dessert menus. This recipe is low in calories and fat.
08 of 09
In this healthy take on apple pie, egg roll wrappers stand in for pie crust, saving you calories and the headache of rolling out dough. We like to use Granny Smith apples because they hold their shape and provide tart balance to the sweet filling. Try dipping these handheld crispy treats in whipped cream.
09 of 09
This creamy strawberry-mango nice cream is a delicious healthy ice cream alternative. It's all fruit, dairy-free, vegan and contains no added sugar. And this three-ingredient dessert is super-fast and easy to prep. Serve it as a snack or light dessert on the hottest days of the summer—or anytime you want a refreshing treat.
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco
You'll thank yourself for making these meal prep recipes to save some time during busy weeks. These dishes can help lower high blood pressure thanks to their high counts of potassium and lower amounts of saturated fat and sodium, meeting our heart-healthy recipe parameters. Recipes like our Marry Me White Bean Salad and Eat-the-Rainbow Vegetable Soup are flavorful, nutritious and easy-to-make choices that can keep your blood pressure in check.
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Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.
This salad is a bright, flavor-packed dish that’s hard not to fall for. Pulling inspiration from Marry Me Chicken, the tender white beans are tossed with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil and a creamy dressing that soaks into every bite. It’s quick to throw together and perfect for meal prep, picnics or pairing with grilled meats.
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Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
This vibrant and wholesome soup recipe helps support your well-being. It’s packed with a variety of colorful vegetables, like tomatoes, which contain lycopene—a phytochemical that may help reduce inflammation.
03 of 21
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco
Canned tuna makes this recipe convenient and pantry-friendly while also offering an impressive punch of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. 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.
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Precooked quinoa helps keep this healthy salad recipe quick and simple. Loaded with black beans, kale and avocado, this recipe is as filling as it is nutritious. Make the sweet potatoes and dressing ahead of time so you can enjoy this dish in no time.
05 of 21
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek
These overnight oats pack 17 grams of protein per serving thanks to strained (Greek-style) yogurt, peanut butter and soymilk. Sweeten these oats naturally with banana, and add blueberries for a more fruity flavor. Divide the mixture into Mason jars for an easy grab-and-go breakfast.
06 of 21
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey
This nutrient-packed grain bowl recipe comes together in 15 minutes with the help of a few convenience-food shortcuts like prewashed baby kale, microwavable quinoa and precooked beets. Pack these ahead to keep on hand for easy meal-prep lunches or dinners on busy nights.
07 of 21
At 18g of protein per serving, this quick and easy recipe blends quinoa and chia seeds for a protein-packed dessert or grab-and-go breakfast. This recipe uses kefir rather than milk for a probiotic boost and relies on maple syrup instead of refined sugar for its sweetness. Prep time is minimal—just leave the mixture in the refrigerator overnight to firm up.
08 of 21
Ali Redmond
A bold, smoky marinade elevates roasted cauliflower in this meal-prep version of our popular Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Tacos by Carolyn Malcoun. To cut down on prep time for these healthy taco bowls, look for precut cauliflower in the produce department.
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In this healthy overnight muesli recipe, yogurt softens the oats to make them creamy and delicious. Don't have raspberries on hand? Try adding chopped apple, blueberries or dried cranberries instead.
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This vibrant bowl is packed with nutrients to keep you full for hours. Look for precooked lentils in the refrigerated section of the produce department.
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This strawberry parfait recipe combines fresh fruit, strained (Greek-style) yogurt and crunchy granola for an easy breakfast. Pack the parfait in a Mason jar for a healthy breakfast on the go.
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A pound of dried beans is the inexpensive foundation for this simple, hearty meal. Serve it with slices of whole-wheat bread or a side salad for a complete and satisfying lunch or dinner.
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This rib-sticking bean chili is richly flavored with cumin, chili, paprika, oregano and an assortment of peppers. Use whatever beans you have in your pantry.
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For breakfast, snack or a healthy dessert, try using yogurt instead of milk for your cereal. If making this as a to-go snack, keep the cereal separate and top just before eating.
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A light and creamy green-salsa dressing highlights this easy pasta salad with Southwestern flavors. Prep the pasta ahead of time, and combine the rest of the ingredients when you’re ready to eat.
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Your favorite restaurant soup just got easier and healthier with this freezer-to-crock-pot recipe. If you keep a special bottle of olive oil on hand for stand-out dishes, this is the recipe to pull it out for. The headiness of the fruity olive oil truly elevates the flavors in this Italian meal-prep slow-cooker soup.
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This healthy, Italian-inspired chicken soup recipe is loaded with fiber-rich vegetables and beans and gets an extra boost of flavor from a swirl of pesto at the end. To get a homemade stock flavor using store-bought broth, simmer bone-in chicken breasts in the broth before adding the rest of the soup ingredients.
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This creamy, veggie-packed chicken dinner comes together easily in your slow-cooker and makes enough for another night's casserole!
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Forgo regular pasta (and most of the carbs) for spiralized zucchini "noodles" in this make-ahead meal. The zoodles quickly turn tender-crisp as the veggie-packed Bolognese warms in the microwave.
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This healthy vegetarian stew is hearty and satisfying. The parsley relish is easy to make and lends a tangy accent that balances the flavors of the lentil stew. We prefer French green lentils for this stew; however, regular brown lentils will also work.
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Protein-rich quinoa and chickpeas add staying power to this zesty and healthy salad recipe.