8 Healthy Recipes to Make You Feel Good This Summer
Written by Cora Gold
When you return from the beach or the pool this summer, you’ll want something delicious to eat. Skip the meals you’ve made all winter for these healthy recipes to feel good and enjoy the tastiest food while the season lasts.
1. Grilled Zucchini Hummus Wrap
A flatbread wrap can hit the spot on a hot afternoon — especially with summer’s most famous vegetable. Cut a zucchini lengthwise into strips and grill them directly on a grill or skillet after spraying them with olive oil.
After making grill marks visible, lay them on a piece of flatbread and top them with hummus, cheese, kale, tomato slices, and other preferred toppings. You’ll have this vegan recipe ready in no time.
2. Smoked Salmon Potato Salad
Cold potato salad is a crowd-pleasing healthy recipe. Cut small potatoes into bite-sized pieces and bake them for 20 minutes before cooling and dumping them into a large bowl. Mix them with fat-free Greek yogurt, salt, Dijon mustard, mayo, lime, and as many slices of smoked salmon as you’d like.
Salmon adds a healthy protein to this recipe while reducing the risk of heart disease if you eat it frequently. The natural omega-3 fatty acids will soothe cellular inflammation with each delicious bite.
3. Summer Vegetable Tacos
Anyone looking for a quick vegetarian recipe should try summer vegetable tacos. Select your preferred veggies — like zucchini, squash, corn, and cherry tomatoes — before dicing them. Mix them with olive oil, cumin, salt and garlic while your oven preheats to 400° Fahrenheit.
The veggies should roast on a sheet pan for at least 20 minutes. While they cook, blend avocado, Greek yogurt, lime juice, and cilantro into a creamy sauce. It’s a perfect drizzle for these vegetarian tacos and tastes excellent with black or pinto beans.
Tacos are also the perfect excuse to practice your margarita skills and host a few friends for a delightful dinner. Meal-prep the roasted vegetables a day before to minimize your work while everyone hangs out.
4. Sheet Pan Creole Chicken and Shrimp
Take your tastebuds on a summer vacation to New Orleans by making sheet pan Creole chicken and shrimp for dinner. Find Creole seasoning at your grocery store and mix it into a bowl of chopped raw chicken, shrimp, potatoes, and your preferred veggies. They’ll melt in your mouth after baking for 40 minutes at 375° F. This healthy gluten-free recipe will win over any seafood lover in your life.
5. Paleo Lemon Blueberry Pancakes
Summer recipes shouldn’t leave breakfast out of the fun. Treat yourself each morning by making paleo pancakes with lemon flavoring and blueberries. Each light, fluffy bite will taste like it’s from your favorite restaurant. You only need a few ingredients like a banana, eggs, lemon zest, milk, and blueberries. This paleo recipe can even become dairy-free with lactose-free milk if you prefer.
6. Quinoa Spring Rolls
Rice paper wrappers can easily become the gluten-free base of a quinoa spring roll dinner. Use them to contain dairy-free, vegan ingredients like diced peppers and thin strips of cucumber and carrot. Dip each roll into chili peanut sauce for an extra burst of flavor. They’ll keep well in the fridge for a day or two if you want to prep your lunch simultaneously.
7. Lemon Broccoli Pasta Bowl
Even the healthiest diets include the occasional pasta dish. Make a meal with gluten-free or whole wheat pasta by boiling penne until it’s al dente. Mix it in a pot or skillet with broccoli florets, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. You’ll have a complete meal by matching this kid-friendly dish with your preferred form of protein.
8. Zucchini Pizza Boats
Make zucchini pizza boats when you’re craving pizza but don’t want a heavy meal that leaves you sleepy. Wash each zucchini and slice them in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to gently scrape out the middle of each side, leaving a space in the long shells.
Top each zucchini half with your favorite pizza toppings like marinara sauce, vegan cheese, mozzarella, vegetarian beef crumbles, and more. It’s an easy recipe to tailor to any dietary preference, making this an excellent option for feeding a big crowd.
Try Healthy Recipes This Summer
Feel good this summer by mixing these healthy recipes into your weekly meals. You can enjoy elevated dishes alongside your old favorites by picking recipes like savory tacos or salmon potato salad. No matter what you try, you’ll get a few extra veggies each day without sacrificing your dietary preferences.