10 Easy Clean-Eating Recipes
If you're at a loss for what to cook while eating clean, let these 10 recipes inspire you to get creative in the kitchen while supporting your overall health.
Overview
If you talk to anyone remotely interested in food and nutrition (who doesn't like to eat?), they'll probably give you their own rundown of what clean eating means to them — the dos and the don'ts. While there's no official definition of "eating clean," the general premise is built on eating primarily whole foods close to their natural states.
Avoiding highly processed packaged goods with ingredients that sound more like a lab experiment (think: corn syrup and hydrogenated oils) are a no. Concentrating on eating healthier, whole foods, such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits and nuts are a great, big yes! Here are 10 easy, clean-eating recipes that you can make in 15 minutes or less!
1. Spring Vegetable Bowls With Lemony Dill Vinaigrette
Want to create a salad you'll actually look forward to eating for lunch? Start here. Using a few fresh ingredients, you can transform your basic salad into a bright flavor bomb.
CALORIES: 415
Recipe & Nutritional Info: Spring Vegetable Bowls With Lemony Dill Vinaigrette
2. Berry Bliss Bowl
Get your day started or tackle your afternoon slump with this beautiful smoothie bowl packed with berries, antioxidants and brain fuel. It's loaded with healthy fat and plant-based protein to keep you feeling fuller longer.
CALORIES: 265
Recipe & Nutritional Info: Berry Bliss Bowl
3. Herb-Roasted Radishes
Roasted radishes are your low-carb best friend. Traditionally known for their robust bite, radishes can be magically transformed in the oven with a little bit of oil, sea salt and loads of fresh herbs. Eat these as a side or top them with a poached egg for a healthy, low-carb breakfast.
CALORIES: 73
Recipe & Nutritional Info: Herb-Roasted Radishes
4. Kohlrabi Slaw With Blood Orange Vinaigrette
Kohlrabi is a vegetable most people don't know what to do with. Sliced raw, it's similar to the texture of a crisp apple and the taste of broccoli stem (broccoli stems are tender and delicious when the tough outer skin is removed, by the way!). Julienne and toss them with a citrusy vinaigrette, and you'll be hooked.
CALORIES: 125
Recipe & Nutritional Info: Kohlrabi Slaw With Blood Orange Vinaigrette
5. Southwestern Egg Scramble
Eggs are great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. This scramble is so easy and flavorful you'll be putting it in your rotation for all three meals. The Southwestern spices give the plate an extra flavor boost that'll excite your taste buds and keep "healthy" interesting.
CALORIES: 409
Recipe & Nutritional Info: Southwestern Egg Scramble
6. Mango Salad With Lemony Coconut Cream
Keep dessert simple with very ripe mangoes topped with zesty coconut cream. It's incredibly satisfying (and pretty too!) and sweetened just slightly with honey or maple syrup. And it's the best way to use nature's candy.
CALORIES: 185
Recipe & Nutritional Info: Mango Salad With Lemony Coconut Cream
7. One-Pot Penne With Cauliflower and White Beans
Eating pasta can often make you feel weighed down. Pro tip: Make that plate a 1:1:1 ratio of pasta to veg to protein. The penne-cauliflower-white bean combination is hard to beat and incredibly easy to make in under 15 minutes in just one pot. Add in some fresh herbs for extra flavor and brightness.
CALORIES: 219
Recipe & Nutritional Info: One-Pot Penne With Cauliflower and White Beans
8. Peanut Butter Power Balls
If you haven't hopped on the energy-ball train yet, now is the time to start! Powered by mainly oats, flax and nut butter, these balls are chock-full of protein, fiber and healthy fat. And they're sweetened naturally with an extra-ripe banana, a touch of maple syrup and crunchy cacao nibs for an added boost of energy and antioxidants.
CALORIES: 157
Recipe & Nutritional Info: Peanut Butter Power Balls
9. Carrot Noodles With Sesame and Soy
Carrot (and other vegetable) noodles are totally on trend. They cook super quickly and are incredibly satisfying — but without all the carbs and heaviness of a typical pasta dish. Bonus: Carrots are in season year-round, making them a particularly affordable choice.
CALORIES: 145
Recipe & Nutritional Info: Carrot Noodles With Sesame and Soy
10. Garlicky-Ginger Broth
Use a quality vegetable broth — either homemade or a low-sodium store-bought version — and you will be surprised at how easy and flavorful this dish is. The robust ginger and garlic flavors shine through without being too overbearing, while offering a plethora of immunity-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. Sip it by itself for a comforting snack or add in your favorite vegetables, sprouts and maybe even a soft-boiled egg for a full meal.
CALORIES: 30
Recipe & Nutritional Info: Garlicky-Ginger Broth