While mealtime indecision and boredom can be an obstacle all year long, approaching food planning in the New Year presents its own challenge if we’re trying to reset or redirect our eating habits for the healthier.
Find inspiration from this roundup of recipes. These dishes were the most-viewed on our site this time last year — we think you’ll enjoy them, too.
Breakfast
1. Breakfast Hash. Start your day with an energizing and stabilizing balance of macros: protein from sausage links, healthy fats from avocado, and complex carbs from a julienned sweet potato. Best yet, this meal is all cooked in one pan.
2. Avocado Boats. Avocados serve as a fun vessel for this easy-to-make breakfast. Simply crack an egg into the center, bake, and top with bacon, green onions, and salt and pepper.
3. Baked Oatmeal, Three Ways. If you like overnight oats, try this make-ahead oatmeal that can feed you or your family for a few days. Choose your preferred flavor: apple chai, black forest, or carrot cake.
Shakes
4. Cinnamon Roll Shake. Traditional cinnamon rolls offer little nutritional value, but not this shake — get the same great taste but with protein, fat, and fiber (and no added sugar).
5. Cucumber-Pineapple Smoothie. This smoothie offers vibes of warmer weather during colder months. Cucumber and pineapple are naturally hydrating foods, so they can help your liver and kidneys clear out toxins from your body, which may be useful coming off the holiday season.
6. Blueberry Pie Shake. This shake may taste as good as pie, but unlike the dessert, it’s gluten-, dairy-, and sugar-free. In addition to the antioxidants from the blueberries, it also contains added fiber and protein to keep you satiated.
Entrées
7. White Chicken Chili. Your easy — and tasty — answer to meal prep: This soup can be prepared in 30 minutes and made in large batches to reheat and eat for days.
8. Plant-Based Butternut Mac and Cheese. This twist on a classic comfort dish is made healthier with the use of brown-rice pasta and a vegan, dairy-free sauce that gets is tangy kick from nutritional yeast, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice.
9. Buffalo Chicken Meatballs. Forget messy chicken wings: These meatballs can be served straight from the skillet and eaten with a toothpick or fork.
10. Orange Chicken Stir-Fry. Skip the takeout and make a healthier, gluten-free version of this dish at home using a sauce of real orange juice and zest, coconut aminos, garlic, and ginger.
11. Spiralized Zucchini Puttanesca. Lightly sautéed zucchini noodles are tossed with an Italian puttanesca sauce that gets its flavor from onion, garlic, tomatoes, capers, and olives, its spice from red pepper flakes, and its freshness from chopped basil.
12. Plant-Based Black Bean Enchiladas. These vegan enchiladas are stuffed with beans and veggies and covered in a homemade cumin-chili-powder sauce. Toss with fresh cilantro and pepitas for crunch.
Snacks
13. Chocolate Protein Truffles. The chocolate flavor in these truffles comes from protein and greens powders. Combine with a few other natural ingredients, roll in coconut shreds, and you’ve got a chocolatey treat you can feel good about eating.
14. Buffalo Cauliflower Bites. Simply toss cauliflower florets in hot sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder, bake, and serve. This chicken-wing alternative can be enjoyed as an after-school snack, game-time appetizer, or side dish.
15. Apple Pie Protein Bites. To save the work of using a real apple, these bites feature unsweetened applesauce complemented with a cozy trio of flavors: cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup. Roll in finely chopped almonds if you like texture and crunch.
Desserts
16. Avocado Chocolate Mousse With Cacao Nibs. This dairy-free mousse gets its luscious taste from avocado, full-fat coconut milk, maple syrup, and dark chocolate. Aside from chill time, it only takes 15 minutes to put together.
17. Brownie Bites. Made with only four ingredients, these bites can serve as a quick energy-boosting snack or healthier treat to satisfy your sweet tooth.
18. Vegan Chocolate Cheesecakes. Tofu may sound like an unusual ingredient in a dessert, but why not sneak in extra protein? These chocolate cheesecakes feature a walnut- and coconut-oil crust and coconut-cream filling.
