Challenge: Can Healthful Meals Be Easy?

CHALLENGE: CAN HEALTHFUL MEALS BE EASY?

Can we eat a little better with each meal? Today’s Transitions decided to take a healthy-meals-made-easy challenge to see if we could eat nutritionally well in an easy way. We selected three different meal options: a take-home meal kit, a heat-and-eat meal prep service, and carryout from a local restaurant.

The result? A feast for the eyes, taste buds, and your health.

DOUBLE CHEESEBURGER: Home Run Burgers & Fries, Carryout: $8 homerunburger.com

Pile on the veggies to add more nutrients and flavor.

Consider skipping the cheese and top with avocado instead. Avocados are delicious and rich in heart-healthy fats, potassium, and fiber.

Swap out the bun for lettuce to save 150-200 calories.

STICKY ASIAN TURKEY MEATBALLS: Healthy James, Heat-andeat meal prep service: $9 healthyjames.com

Choose healthier sides, such as sugar snap peas or rice, for a tasty meal addition.

For a leaner protein, use ground turkey instead of ground beef.

LITTLE BIG MEAL CHICKEN KABOBS: The Fresh Market, Take-home meal kit: $25, feeds a family of 4 thefreshmarket.com

Avoid traditional sides that are loaded with calories and fat. Instead go with a light side, like lemon orzo salad.

Alternating lean proteins and veggies will bulk up the kabob without bulking up the calories. If avoiding meat, go all veggies.

— WELLNESS TIPS —

Skip the fries (and the calories) and add a small garden or fruit salad.

Prepackaged meals include the number of servings per container which can help with portion control.

When following a specific eating plan, search for meal prep plans that match your nutritional goals.

By Lindsay McDonald | Photos by Melissa Donald