When trying to change your diet, or eat healthier, it is very easy to get bored with your chosen meal plan. No matter what your fitness goals may be, a healthy diet is crucial to achieving these goals. The typical healthy diet consists of increased protein intake, complex carbs, and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. When following this type of diet plan, meal options can become very simple, and often times people get bored of eating the same dish over and over again. This boredom with your diet is often what leads to cravings, and eventually straying from your diet plan and fitness goals.
In order to remain interested and satisfied with the food you are eating, it is crucial to vary your flavor profiles and get creative with your menu. Follow these tips and recipes to maintain a healthy diet, while feeling satisfied both with flavor and feeling full.
1. Stuffed Chicken Breast
Chicken breast is a staple in the healthy eating regiment. Chicken breasts are low in fat and high in protein. However, the typical grilled chicken breast to top your salads or simply eating a grilled chicken breast with a side of steamed vegetables can get quite boring. You can excite your taste buds without losing any of the health benefits by butterflying your chicken and stuffing it with veggies and different flavor combinations. Some of my favorite combinations include baking the chicken breast in lemon juice and herbs while stuffing it with pico de gallo. This is a low calorie, high flavor meal that keeps me from cheating on my diet. Some other of my favorite stuffing options include red peppers and spinach, tomatoes and fresh basil, or quinoa and asparagus.
2. Marinades
There are plenty of ways that you can play with flavor by using marinades. They add flavor to your food, without increasing the caloric intake drastically. You can constantly vary your marinades so that you never feel like you are eating the same dish over and over. Lemon and herb is an excellent marinade for all fish and chicken. Some other great marinades for all proteins include sriracha and olive oil, Balsamic vinegar, white wine vinegar, orange juice or other juice flavors, and red or white wine. You can easily get creative with your marinades in order to constantly try new flavors. When making a sauce or marinade steer clear from excessive butter and other fattening sauces. Feel free to personalize each of these marinade options with different herb pairings and flavors such as rosemary, basil, cilantro, paprika, chile powder, garlic, etc.
3. Embrace the right Carbohydrates
A common myth in healthy eating is that you have to steer clear from carbohydrates. This is not accurate, and a lack of carbohydrates will often lead you to be frustrated, and eventually cheat on your diet. Experimenting with your side dishes is a great way to add variety to your diet. However, make sure that you ar eating the right kind of carbs. Carbohydrates like white flour, white rice, pasta, sugars, potatoes, will be processed into sugar and eventually fat after consumed. Steer clear of these as they will not sustain you for long periods of time. Embracing good carbohydrates like protein-packed quinoa, sweet potato, brown rice, flax seed, chia seed, fresh fruit, and oatmeal, are great additions to your diet plan. Not only will these foods taste good, and help you through your carb cravings, but they also sustain you for long periods of time. Each of these ingredients tastes great on their own but also work as great side dishes for your stuffed chicken recipes stated above. A stuffed chicken breast on the bed of mashed sweet potato is a very healthy, fulfilling and delicious dish that sits at about 250-400 calories.
4. Experiment and Have Fun
Above all play with your flavors and combinations and try to not eat the same flavor combination twice in one month. This way you are constantly keeping your taste buds excited. Try adding a dash of lemon curd to your greek yogurt in the morning for a bright citrusy, protein filled breakfast. Make creative sauces and marinades by tossing some vegetables and olive oil into a food processer. Substitute your favorite recipes that call for white flour like pizza, mashed potatoes etc. with cauliflower for a low carb option. Substitute sugar in desserts for apple sauce, agave nectar, and bananas when you crave something sweet.
Think outside of the box. Don't fall into the mindset that you can only eat plain, boring food. there are a variety of ways to have fun, experiment with flavors, and reach your fitness and diet goals. Comment if you come up with any great flavor combinations that you think are worth trying. Happy Cooking!
