Can I have some healthy meal ideas please

[GreyMary23]

Ok first of many NY posts I suspect but after putting on nearly two stone in lockdown(s) and having a gluttonous Christmas I'm really ready to eat better and nourish my body in the new year. My problem is I like hearty food - pasta, stroganoff, curries that sort of thing. Fish and veg don't really do it for me.

I really need some food inspiration so I can plan my meals. I always fall down through lack of preparation and relying on convenience food. Can anyone give me any simple but healthy recipes? Thank you

Just change the proportions on the things you like so have pasta but have half the amount of pasta and twice as much veg in the sauce to bulk it out.

Strogonoff same, half as much creamy sauce with an extra portion of green beans, broccoli, cauliflower or whatever to make it more filling.

If you cut out all your favourite foods you won't stick to the diet so the key is to keep eating what you like but to make it work within your calorie count.

1 cup mushrooms is 20 calories
1 cup green beans is 40 calories

If you can make them take up half your plate you then have room for the more calorific things you enjoy. Roast the veg with garlic or other seasoning to make it really flavourful and delicious so eating it doesn't feel like a chore.

I bought Tom Kerridge's Lose Weight For Good book and am really impressed.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1472949293/ref=cmswwrcppapifabcc_FxF6FbCECH3F3

Particular favourites have been the pork samosa pie and the chicken and celeriac mash.

I tend to poach chicken breasts instead of using chicken crowns

I read earlier today that a good start is to base all your meals on unprocessed foods and make your plate 50% non-starchy veg, 30% protein and 20% carbs

I agree with not cutting out the things you really like.
Add extra portions of veg like spinach, peppers and onions in your curry and pasta.
Extra mushrooms and broccoli in your stroganoff and use Creme fraiche instead of cream.
Other comfort foods that can have loads of veg would be stews, tray bakes, soups.

Curries are easy to make healthy by using more veg and less carbs. Same for chilli/pasta meals etc.

Weighing pasta/rice made a huge difference to me.

I don’t deny myself carbs but do try to make sure I have a smaller portion. I think I would just feel miserable and hungry without any carbs in my life.

I like the pinch of nom cookbooks, they are easy to follow, healthy and the whole family likes them. I made sausage casserole from the newest book last night which was lovely with lots of veg. I had a portion reheated up for my lunch today.

Have a look at hello fresh. They have some great recipes, very filling and tasty. They pack in a good amount of veg. I like to get a box with the discount codes and when they run out I repeat the recipes with store bought ingredients.