Nutrition Month Meal Ideas

The Nutrition Month fun continues in today's post, which is all about fast and lean meal ideas.As I mentioned last week, it's often wise to choose foods that need to be eaten with a fork or spoon, as many of them are traditionally more nutrient-dense than their counterparts, which are often eaten out of bags.That doesn't mean that you have to give up fast meals, though. There are lots of ways to fit a healthful meal into a packed schedule -- here are a few fun ideas to help get your clients started with this approach!Breakfast

• Cooked oatmeal with nuts and fresh berries
• Cooked cream of wheat or Wheatena with a grapefruit on the side
• Shredded wheat or unsweetened whole grain cereal with a side of sliced melon
• Muesli (nonfat light yogurt mixed with fruit and dry rolled oats, can be refrigerated overnight)

Lunch

• Whole grain pasta with red sauce and added veggies
• Tuna salad made with light mayonnaise and served on lettuce
• Chicken breast salad made with nonfat mayonnaise and served on a green salad
• Broth-based soup
• Low-fat vegetarian chili
• Baked potato with nonfat Greek yogurt and chives

Dinner

• Poached, baked, or grilled fish with brown rice and steamed vegetables
• Low-fat stir-fry with veggies, brown rice, and lean protein
• Chicken breast: roasted, baked or grilled (without skin), served with quinoa and roasted vegetables
• Beans and rice

For more great meal resources, check out these chef-tested books! 

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Stephanie Ronco

Stephanie Ronco has been editing for Food and Health Communications since 2011. She graduated from Colorado College magna cum laude with distinction in Comparative Literature. She was elected a member of Phi Beta Kappa in 2008.