18 Easy, Healthy Meals Anyone Can Make In 2018

Step away from the detox diet.

The start of a new year doesn't have to mean an end to delicious food you actually want to eat.

NBC / Via giphy.com

Even if some of your resolutions involve wanting to make some changes to your diet.

And to prove it, we asked people who love food — food bloggers, nutrition coaches, and dietitians — their favorite things to make and eat to start the new year with healthy deliciousness.

Here's what they shared with us:

1. Sweet Potato Chickpea Curry

abbylangernutrition.com

"This recipe looks long, but the part that takes the longest is actually roasting the sweet potatoes. The rest is a cinch!

Everyone should be eating more plants, and this recipe will help you do just that. It gets its creamy texture from the puréed sweet potatoes and coconut milk, and you can dial up the spice as much as you want! The chickpeas are super filling, and the combination of spicy and sweet is addictive!

The recipe makes a big batch, so you can toss some into the freezer for those nights when you don't want to cook, or even for lunches at work! CURRY FOR DAYS!"

Get the recipe here.

—Abby Langer, RD, of Abby Langer Nutrition in Toronto

2. Thai Quinoa Salad

carrotsandcake.ca

"This recipe for Thai Quinoa Salad is a hit, no matter where I go. It’s perfect for weekday lunches or as a side or for sharing at a potluck. Specifically, the addition of edamame beans (usually found in the frozen section of the grocery store) makes this salad hearty enough to be a meal. A ½ cup serving of edamame beans offers about 12 grams of protein. Score!"

Get the recipe here.

—Nita Sharda, RD, owner of Carrots and Cake Balanced Nutrition Consulting

3. Salmon with Lemon Mustard Dill Sauce

fannetasticfood.com

"Whenever I'm craving a dinner that's delicious but also really healthy, my go-to is my salmon with lemon mustard dill sauce. It's ready in minutes and will win over even people who don't think they like fish!"

Get the recipe here.

—Anne Mauney, MPH, RD, founder of fANNEtasticfood.com

4. No-Bake Pumpkin Pistachio Energy Balls

foodconfidence.com

"I love my easy to make, no-bake bites of pumpkin deliciousness! They're a great way to satisfy your craving for sweets and get your energy up in the afternoon, while keeping you away from the vending machine! Made with simple ingredients, these pumpkin-pistachio energy balls are a satisfying and healthy snack."

Get the recipe here.

—Danielle Omar, MS, RD, Integrative Dietitian at Food Confidence

5. High-Protein Oatmeal

Anne Mauney

"This high-protein oatmeal is one of my favorite healthy breakfast recipes to start the day on the right foot. It's fast and easy to make (you can make it on the stovetop for a larger portion, or follow the microwave instructions for a faster single-serve option) and unlike most oatmeal, it will actually keep you full and satisfied for more than five minutes."

Get the recipe here.

—Anne Mauney, MPH, RD, founder of fANNEtasticfood.com

6. Smoked Sausage and Split Pea Soup

@katheats / Via instagram.com

"I live in soups on the colder months! Right after the holidays, a vegetable-packed soup satisfies my cravings for comfort food. As a registered dietitian, I love a good split pea soup for the additional protein the peas contribute, and I always stir greens in in the final minutes — from spinach to kale to collard greens — to make the soup as nutrient-dense as possible."

Get the recipe here.

—Kath Younger, RD, founder of Kath Eats Real Food

7. Roasted Kale Butternut Squash

@foodheavenshow / Via instagram.com

"This roasted kale butternut squash is perfect for these chilly, winter months. Once the butternut squash is halved and baked, simply mash up the insides and stuff with your favorite toppings. For this recipe we went with a garlicky kale!"

Get the recipe here.

—Wendy Lopez, MS, RD, and Jessica Jones, MS, RD, CDE, co-creators of Food Heaven Made Easy and authors of the 28-Day Plant-Powered Health Reboot

8. Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

sproutedroutes.com

"I'm not going to stick to my no-takeout resolution if making dinner seems like a chore, and soups are 100% the fastest way to make a nourishing meal that's packed with nutrients.

This vegan butternut squash and apple soup takes only minutes (and one pot!) to make and tastes amazing: savory and sweet, perfect for a cold winter night. It's also packed with fiber and Vitamin A, so even if it's the only healthy thing I eat that day, I'm on the right track."

Get the recipe here.

—Liz Moody, healthy food blogger and founder of Sprouted Routes

9. Roasted Beet Rosemary Pita Pizza

@foodheavenshow / Via instagram.com

"One way to ensure you are eating healthy is to try and eat a variety of colors in your meal whenever possible. For example, adding red beets to a smoothie, green kale to a salad, purple cabbage to your tacos, orange peppers to your burrito. Get the picture? The more colors, the better. Because each color represents different vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. This Roasted Beet Rosemary Pita Pizza is 7 colors, to be exact. Your Friday night pizza date just got a whole lot better with these powerful flavors and wholesome ingredients."

Get the recipe here.

—Jessica Jones, MS, RD, CDE, co-creator of Food Heaven Made Easy and author of the 28-Day Plant-Powered Health Reboot

10. Black Bean Burrito Bowl

pickyeaterblog.com

"This healthy and hearty black bean burrito bowl is filling, satisfying, and super easy to make! Throw your favorite veggies into a bowl with stewed black beans, cottage cheese (a healthier substitute for sour cream and cheese!) and a few crumbled chips on top. It takes less than 20 minutes to make and is easy to put together no matter what you have on hand!"

Get the recipe here.

—Anjali Shah, board certified health coach and founder of The Picky Eater

11. Hearty Crockpot Meat 'n Veggies

Sumnersgraphicsinc / Getty Images

"I buy three to five pounds of meat (beef, chicken, pork, lamb...your call!) and put it in crockpot with some potatoes (cut in half or whole) and favorite veggies. Fill the crockpot with water so it just covers the ingredients. Then set to cook for six to eight hours on low. The longer you cook it, the more fall-apart tender the meat gets. This is cost-effective — you can get inexpensive/tougher cuts of meat (which have more flavor than expensive cuts) because they soften up in the crockpot."

—Albert Matheny, MS, RD, CSCS co-founder of SoHo Strength Lab and advisor to Promix Nutrition

12. Rotisserie Chicken with Quinoa, Salad, and Wine

Courtesy Brian St. Pierre

"I love this meal because it's quick, tasty, satisfying and requires minimal cooking skill. You pick up a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the store on your way home, cook up some quinoa once you get there, and while that's cooking make a small salad of your choice, pour yourself a nice glass of wine along with a glass of water, and you are good to go!"

—Brian St. Pierre, MS, RD, CSCS, director of performance nutrition at Precision Nutrition

13. Protein Perfect Breakfast Cake

@hollyperkins / Via instagram.com

"This recipe has a brilliant macronutrient breakdown to provide the right amount of protein, fat, and carbs. It’s great to fuel you for the day, and perfect for before a workout. Even better is that it is SUPER easy to make with only four main ingredients."

Here's the recipe:

2 cups oats ground into a flour (using a blender)

3 cups egg whites

3 tbsp coconut oil

3 cups frozen raspberries

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

"In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix. Pour into a 9x9-inch pan and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Perfection!"

—Holly Perkins, CSCS, author of Lift to Get Lean and creator of Women’s Strength Nation

14. Crunchy Kale Salad with Avocado and Sesame

eating-made-easy.com

"Top this salad with grilled chicken or a handful of garbanzo beans and you’ll have an almost-addictive blend of flavors that’s rich in nutrients and friendly to really any healthy eating plan."

Get the recipe here.

—Amelia Winslow, MS, MPH, nutritionist and founder of Eating Made Easy

15. Egg White Muffins with Cheese and Veggies

@msjeanettejenkins / Via instagram.com

"Put two or three on a plate with a side salad or sweet potato for a meal! Just put all of your favorite veggie ingredients in muffin tins, fill with egg whites and bake. Voila!"

Get the recipe here.

—Jeanette Jenkins, The Hollywood Trainer

16. Skinny Cajun Meatballs

@skinnylouisiana / Via instagram.com

"I love to make these meatballs in large batches and freeze. When I need something quick to eat, I simply warm and serve!"

Here's the recipe:

1 pound ground sirloin

1 tsp hot sauce

1 tsp Cajun seasoning

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1/8 cup Panko bread crumbs

1/8 cup crushed Fiber One cereal

1/4 cup 2% milk

1 egg

"Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients. Using a tablespoon, scoop meatballs onto baking sheet. Bake for 30-40 minutes. Serve."

—Shelly Redmond, RD, founder of Skinny Louisiana

17. Chicken and Root Veggie Skillet Meal

@empowerwithfood / Via instagram.com

"I love one-pot meals because they're simple to make and simple to clean up after. Plus, all of these ingredients are fresh and loaded with nutrients since it contains a variety of root vegetables, fruit, lean protein, fresh herbs, and turkey bacon."

Here's the recipe:

4 cups chopped root vegetables of your choice

1 cup chopped onion

2 chopped apples

4 chicken breasts

1 tsp thyme, 2 tsp chives

3 slices turkey bacon

1/2 cup chicken broth

"Start by cooking the chicken and bacon in a little bit of olive oil until both are fully cooked. Then add in the chopped root veggies, onion, herbs, and apple. Then add the chicken broth and bring to a boil until veggies are soft and the liquid has been absorbed."

—Sarah Maughan, nutrition coach at Precision Nutrition

18. Toast with Toppings

@/rachelbellerrdn / Via instagram.com

"After the New Year, make snacks that curb your cravings and keep you full and energized for hours. The right snack combo makes all of the difference in the world. They don’t have to be boring and drab just because the holidays are over! I keep the party going by topping a piece of sprouted, flourless Ezekiel toast with variety of fun, delicious, and easy toppings. Here are some examples that are all under 175 calories:

• ¼ avocado + 2 teaspoons sesame seeds

• ¼ avocado + 1 teaspoon tahini + pinch of red pepper flakes + fresh parsley

• 1 tablespoon nut butter of choice + pinch of Ceylon cinnamon

• 2 tablespoons Hummus + sliced tomatoes + sliced cucumbers + a little fresh parsley

• ½ small banana, sliced + 1 teaspoon nut butter of choice + 1 sliced strawberry + pinch of Ceylon cinnamon

—Rachel Beller, MS, RDN, founder of Beller Nutritional Institute and author of Power Souping