Loved a recipe from the Four Week Fast Track: Fresh Sets challenge? Try one of these delicious meals next.
As easy as it is to start eating healthy when the new year rolls around, it can be even easier to abandon those good intentions as the weeks go by and everyday demands take priority. Now that January is winding down, it’s time to look ahead and make a plan for maintaining your habit and putting your meal prep skills to good use.
During the Four Week Fast Track: Fresh Sets challenge, you tried four different recipes and remixed them to add variety to your weekly meals. If you enjoyed any (or all) of those, you can certainly return to them throughout the year. But if you’re looking for more new options to try, check out the healthy recipes below. They’re all easy to make and designed to deliver the macronutrients you need to fuel your workouts.
If You Loved Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables with Maple-Mustard Sauce, Try:
Citrus-Marinated Chicken With Grilled Broccolini and Tomatoes
Chicken is a lean, protein-rich staple that can be prepared in countless different ways. Fire up the grill outside or use a grill pan on your stove and make this citrusy chicken with a side of colorful vegetables. Like the sheet pan chicken dish, it’s full of flavor, has enough protein to help you recover post strength session, and won’t leave you hungry for a snack.
Chicken Salad Protein Snack Box
For a meal that you can easily pack for lunch or on the go, try this healthy take on chicken salad that replaces some of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for more protein and less fat. Use pre-cooked chicken—remixed from another recipe, perhaps—and pair with your favorite sides such as raw veggies, hard-boiled eggs, or crackers.
If You Loved Miso-Glazed Salmon with Broccoli and Bok Choy, Try:
Superfood Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Save time by buying smoked salmon instead of cooking up your own for this flavorful, protein-rich salad. It’s full of nutrient-dense vegetables and topped with avocado for a dose of healthy fat that keeps you feeling full and satisfied.
Grilled Tofu Steaks With Shiitake Mushrooms and Scallions
You don’t need to eat meat or fish to get adequate protein. This tofu recipe has a similar Japanese-inspired flavor profile as the miso-glazed salmon and still packs in a serious protein punch. You can also refresh your leftovers by adding rice or quinoa to create a grain bowl.
If You Loved High-Protein Oatmeal with Blueberries and Walnuts, Try:
Protein-Packed Overnight Oats
As a complex carbohydrate, oatmeal gives you the energy you need to fuel your workouts (and your busy day) without the crash that comes from simple carbs. Prepared the night before, overnight oats make it easy to have a quick and nutritious breakfast when you’re in a rush to get out the door in the morning. Add fresh fruit or chopped nuts to customize your bowl.
Miso-Tahini Baked Oatmeal
If you haven’t tried baked oatmeal, you’re in for a treat. According to cookbook author Nicole Modic, when you bake oatmeal, “it becomes cake-like, with a crunchy top and a soft, creamy inside.” Her recipe adds miso and tahini for a savory twist and makes enough servings to enjoy all week.
If You Loved Tuscan Bean and Kale Stew, Try:
Spicy Coconut Red Lentil Dal
Like beans, lentils are part of the legume family and are an excellent source of plant-based protein. This spicy dal’s texture is similar to stew and will warm you up on a cold day. Serve with brown rice for extra complex carbs during heavy endurance weeks.
Veggie Chili with Tofu
Loaded with tofu, veggies, and two types of beans, this vegetarian chili is full of protein, fiber, complex carbs, and flavor. Keeping a batch in the freezer for those days when you’re too busy to cook is like a cheat code for a healthy meal in a pinch.
