What do you consider to be a healthy dinner?

[DisneyBeagle]

Let's say that you are asked to cook a healthy dinner for someone with no food restrictions. What would you cook?

I'm chuckling at my coworker because she and her husband have decided that they want to start eating healthier meals to lose a little weight. Everyone in the office is giving her ideas of what to cook and I'm shocked at some of the suggestions. I'm wondering what others consider to be a healthy meal.

Edited:: I want to make clear that I'm laughing at the suggestions, not at my coworker trying to eat healthier. When I read my post again it looked like I was laughing at her.

 

[disneystacy]

I would make roasted chicken, grilled veggies with a little olive oil on top and and whole wheat cous cous on the side. Maybe a garden salad to start the meal.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I want to hear what the others in your office are suggesting! I need a good laugh!

 

[Northstar]

I consider it a healthy dinner if it has....

some whole grains

some protein

lots of vegetables, preferably not too processed but hey, if it's a veggie it's a good thing

not much added fat, sugar, or salt


So you've got to tell us... what are the horrifying things you've heard suggested as healthy dinner?

 

[Christine]

I would make roasted chicken, grilled veggies with a little olive oil on top and and whole wheat cous cous on the side. Maybe a garden salad to start the meal.

This is my take on "healthy" too.

It is funny to hear what people think is healthy. I make Tuna Casserole occasionally and it is anything but healthy with the sour cream, cream-of-disgusting soup, cheese, and starchy egg noodles (let's also not forget the butter on top). Everytime I bring leftovers in for work, this man comes by and comments on it, says he loves it, etc. I then tell him that it's pretty fattening and he will say "but it's such a healthy meal...".

 

[Kath2003]

Anything in moderation. My favourite quick well-balanced meal is wholemeal pasta with a chunky vegetable sauce and diced chicken.

 

[anniemae]

Oh come on...... you have to tell us some of the "healthy" ideas your co-workers suggested!!!


I would consider a whole wheat pasta with homemade sauce and turkey meatballs pretty healthy.

I also think baked tilapia or teriyaki salmon with grilled zuchinni and whole grain rice is healthy.

 

[java]

Salad with homemade dressing(dijon,balsamic,garlic,oliveoil,splash of soy)

Steamed broccoli
some salmon- steamed with lemon slices
a 1/2 cup rice per person. - oh forgot to say brown rice

Add lemon to flavor all of above.

 

[DisneyBeagle]

I want to hear what the others in your office are suggesting! I need a good laugh!

Oh come on...... you have to tell us some of the "healthy" ideas your co-workers suggested!!!


I would consider a whole wheat pasta with homemade sauce and turkey meatballs pretty healthy.

I also think baked tilapia or teriyaki salmon with grilled zuchinni and whole grain rice is healthy.

I will tell you, but first I wanted to see what others view as a healthy meal.

 

[Jennasis]

On the suggestion of one of the DIS'ers here, we have recently added the INSIDE OUT EGG ROLL to our healthy eating repetoire.

One bag cole slaw mix
Sesame oil
Minced garlic
chopped onion
Meat of choice (diced chicken is our favorite, but lean ground beef/turkey/pork ok too)
Rice Wine Vinegar
Soy sauce

Heat oil (Just a couple of tablespoons) in a wok or large skillet and brown garlic. Add bag of cole slaw to it and mix it up to coat, then let the slaw cook down/soften (will take a while). After it has cooked down mostof the way, add some rice wine vineagr and soy sauce to taste.

Delightful!

 

[nd5056]

This:

Oh, wait...... was this supposed to be healthy or harthy meal???

I must be hungry...



.

 

[Minnesota!]

Anything low in sodium, fat, and moderate in carbs. I serve fresh veggies and fruit at each meal, plus a lean protein. But, we love mac-n-cheese, too. Moderation is the key.

Last night I made tacos with buffalo meat, some fresh tomatoes from the garden, fat free sour cream for DH (I can only do full fat if I am going to use it...which I didn't) and a small scoop of cheese.

We also had roasted zucchini and summer squash with it (from the garden).

I make a lot with tofu and "hidden veggies" if I know my kids won't touch them (squash blends nicely into marinara!). If your meal comes primarily from a box or can - not healthy.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

On the suggestion of one of the DIS'ers here, we have recently added the INSIDE OUT EGG ROLL to our healthy eating repetoire.

One bag cole slaw mix
Sesame oil
Minced garlic
chopped onion
Meat of choice (diced chicken is our favorite, but lean ground beef/turkey/pork ok too)
Rice Wine Vinegar
Soy sauce

Heat oil (Just a couple of tablespoons) in a wok or large skillet and brown garlic. Add bag of cole slaw to it and mix it up to coat, then let the slaw cook down/soften (will take a while). After it has cooked down mostof the way, add some rice wine vineagr and soy sauce to taste.

Delightful!

Thanks for this! I love the inside of eggrolls.

OP, I know what you mean. I roll my eyes just about every Rachael Ray show when she says the sausages, mac & cheese, and vegetable meal she's making is a "healthy, well balanced" meal. One sausage can have all of a person's daily requirements for sodium and fat, that's not healthy or well-balanced (unless they're not planning on eating the rest of the day ).

I think a healthy (dinner) meal is 3-4 oz. of a lean protein, 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of a carb like brown rice, couscous, quinoa, etc., and a big bowl full of vegetables (with no added butter, cheese, or dressing). That's how I eat when I'm maintaining my weight. When I'm trying to lose I eat most of my carbs earlier in the day and cut them out after work.

 

[sunnyday123]

I have a friend who thinks Burger King is healthy food because they grill the burgers.

Tell her to load up on veggies and leave the processed stuff alone.

 

[clutter]

I think there's two kinds of healthy. Heart-healthy and non-processed healthy. I tend to stick with the second and try to shoot for the first. In that vein, the only processed foods I usually cook with are low-sodium chicken or beef broth, frozen vegetables (no sauce or flavoring) and various condiments I can't replicate (such as hoisin or soy sauce), and some starches such as pasta, noodles or rice. That said, some of my 'healthy meals' (according to dd12), aren't as healthy as can be, but are way healthier than many.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Low fat protein, like grilled chicken breasts or fish and steamed veggies.

All plain, with no sauces, butter or salt.

 

[mtemm]

it can be so many things! for me healthy eating is about calorie consciousness, fresh food over processed, lean proteins/whole grains/veggies/fruits/low fat dairy, and using smarter seasonings/sauces (like lemon juice, garlic, herbs, spices, olive oil, and less salt/butter/creams.

I make a chicken parm from cooking light that I consider to be healthy. in fact most recipes from cooking light I consider to be wonderfully healthy, but don't necessarily scream, "healthy" just from their title.

I personally love a grilled or roasted chicken (make a really yummy roasted chicken with lemon juice and garlic), some brown rice, veggies (I prefer them just steamed but crisp, nothing on them), maybe a salad.

I also like raviolis/tortellini, with a marinara sauce, and a nice salad. I consider it a healthy meal even though some people cringe at the idea of eating pasta. for me its all about portion size and ingredients.

I definitely hold the "least processed" is healthier. things like low fat frozen foods like lean cuisine and processed meals might be okay on occasion and might fit the bill in terms of calories, but I consider less processed food to be healthier.

 

[disykat]

This is my take on "healthy" too.

It is funny to hear what people think is healthy. I make Tuna Casserole occasionally and it is anything but healthy with the sour cream, cream-of-disgusting soup, cheese, and starchy egg noodles (let's also not forget the butter on top). Everytime I bring leftovers in for work, this man comes by and comments on it, says he loves it, etc. I then tell him that it's pretty fattening and he will say "but it's such a healthy meal...".

I agree, I wouldn't pick any casserole like that as a "healthy meal." However, I do consider the way we eat, sitting down to regular meals even if they include some of these types of foods in moderation, to be a "healthy" way of eating - compared to continual fast food. I certainly wouldn't suggest it to someone trying to lose weight though!

 

[MusiqChic99]

Cooking at home for starters. Eating out isn't healthy...there are healthy options but too many unhealthy options that are tempting! If you stay away from it the better off you are!

A healthy meal at home would be a lean protein, like chicken and lots of veggies. Milk is a great healthy drink too. Lots of water. Limit sugars. And exercise!!! I have found that if I exercise I tend to make better choices when I eat, then when I try to eat healthy and don't exercise!

 

[DVC Sadie]

i thought some of the ramen noodles were healthy.

oh and sherbert

You're kidding, right? Sherbert is not bad but ramen noodles are just very high empty calories. The sodium and fat content is horrendous considering that one package is actually two servings.


What I consider healthy is steamed or grilled fish/chicken, fresh or frozen vegetables and wheat rice or pasta. Salad is one item we eat daily with both lunch and dinner and always have plenty on hand.

I do not eat healthy all of the time but I do try to eat in moderation some of the foods that I will not live without.