Weight Loss Recipes

The holidays are upon us, which means loved ones are probably starting to ask what’s on your gift wish list. Whether you’re a full-on foodie or you’d just like some help in the kitchen, consider asking for one of these 11 healthy holiday gift ideas. They’re perfect for putting together your Nutrisystem flex meals! Shopping for friends and family? These creative ideas are ideal for all of the home cooks in your life.

Here are 11 healthy gift ideas that are perfect for your healthy holiday wish list or any foodie in your life!:

1. Measuring Cups

If you don’t own a good set of measuring cups, you should add them to your healthy holiday wish list this year—especially since incorrectly estimating portion sizes is a quick way to sabotage your slim-down. Already own a set? Consider adding a second set to your list. That way you can leave them in your desk drawer at work and beat portion distortion wherever you are. Just make sure you ask for dishwasher-safe options so cleaning them is a breeze.

2. iPad Fridge Mount

No more dripping ingredients on your iPad while cooking. Play music, watch a movie or read through a recipe while you cook with this handy device that lets you mount your iPad directly on your fridge. Tools like this will help make your kitchen a pleasant place to spend time—so you’ll want to keep up on your healthy cooking habits.

3. Dehydrator

Although you can create dried fruits and veggies in your oven, it can tie it up for several hours and you will have to keep checking on your treats. Dehydrators are great ways to have some fun with your fruits and veggies. From dried strawberries, apples and pineapples, to healthy fruit roll ups and sun-dried tomatoes, you can create all kinds of snacks and add-ons. And the best part is, you can just load it up and let it go, just like you would a crock-pot. No babysitting needed.

4. Herb Garden Starter Kit

There’s nothing better than having fresh herbs on hand—especially in the colder months. With an indoor herb garden, you’ll be able to help yourself to all your favorites whenever you’d like to spice things up.

5. Popcorn Maker

Skip the microwave in favor of a good old-fashioned popcorn maker. The little ones in your life will love watching the kernels pop, plus you’ll be able to top your treat with healthier extras you choose (think cinnamon, sugar-free chocolate syrup, hot sauce or black pepper).

6. A Good Blender

There’s no better way to squeeze fruits and veggies into your day than to pile produce into smoothies. Look for options powerful enough to crush ice and harder fruits like apples.

7. Julienne Peeler or Spiralizer

If you love pasta, than this one is a no-brainer. Both of these tools help you make delicious noodles out of your favorite veggies like zucchini, sweet potato, carrots and more. Some spiralizers even come with additional blades so you can create a variety of “noodles.”

8. A Self-Timing Slow Cooker

Whether you’re extremely busy or just feeling a little lazy, this convenient kitchen tool makes meal prep a breeze. Just toss a bunch of veggies and some chicken or veggie stock in the slow cooker in the morning along with some seasonings, and let it cook all day while you’re at work or running around. You’ll love the way your house smells when you return. The best part? You’ll have leftovers for days!

9. A High-Quality Knife Set

Although perhaps a bit expensive, a good set of knives will last you a very long time, and will help you stay healthy, slicing, dicing and mincing your own foods. Tip: Before you buy a knife, always hold it in your hand—it should feel natural.

10. Cutting Boards

To prevent cross-contamination, you should have one cutting board for raw protein and one for produce and cooked foods. Request two different colors for yours so that you can distinguish between them. You can choose extremely affordable plastic cutting boards made of polyethylene plastic. Polyethylene plastic is non-porous, meaning potential bacteria can’t penetrate the surface. Just be sure your boards are dishwasher safe.

11. A Salad Spinner

To stay healthy and lose weight, you’ll want to add in all kinds of greens to your menu. The salad spinner makes cleaning greens like lettuce easy and quick. After washing lettuce from the garden, farmers market or grocery store, just place it in the salad spinner to quickly and efficiently dry the lettuce and serve up a fresh salad for lunch or dinner. This is a one of our favorite holiday gift ideas that most people don’t have in their kitchen!

Stay on track this holiday season with a little help from Nutrisystem. Click here to learn more about our programs! >

The post 11 Healthy Gift Ideas for Your Holiday Wish List appeared first on The Leaf.

from The Leaf https://leaf.nutrisystem.com/top-11-gifts-for-your-wishlist-the-foodie-edition/

It’s hard to believe, but Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Which, for many of us, means total diet destruction is officially on the horizon. But here’s the thing: You can still enjoy all the deliciousness of this food-heavy holiday without committing to an entire season of stretchy pants. Find all the guidance you need to get your fill of the festivities (and the food!) with our ultimate guide: 23 Ways to Lose Weight This Thanksgiving.

And show up to your gatherings with any of the guilt-free Thanksgiving recipes below. They’re delicious and on-plan. So you can enjoy the festive fare without ever having to worry about sabotaging your slim-down.

1. Green Bean Casserole >

2. Twice Baked Cauliflower Casserole >

3. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apple >

4. Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Mashed Faux-tatoes >

5.Stuffed Acorn Squash >

6. Simple Slow Cooker Apple Sauce >

7. Butternut Squash Turkey Chili >

8. Easy Thumbprint Cookies >

9. Butternut Squash Chicken Chowder >

10. Crock Pot Pumpkin Rice Pudding >

11. Creamy Butternut Squash Soup >

12. Savory Roasted Artichokes >

13. Crustless Pumpkin Pie >

14. Honey Balsamic Glazed Carrots >

15. Skinny Mashed Sweet Potatoes >

16. 4-Ingredient Pumpkin Brownies >

17. Beetroot and Quinoa Superfood Salad >

18. Filling Fennel Salad >

19. 5-Ingredient Banana Nut Muffins >

20. Vegetable Tian >

21. Slow Cooker Kale & Beef Meatballs >

The post 21 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes You’ll Love appeared first on The Leaf.

from The Leaf https://leaf.nutrisystem.com/21-healthy-thanksgiving-recipes-youll-love/

Want more variety in your healthy diet during the chilly season? Then you need to get to know the squash family, one of the biggest and most diverse group of vegetables. They come in many shapes and colors, each with its own distinct flavor and texture, and all are low in calories and loaded with nutrients. Right now is prime time for enjoying the different kinds of winter squash, the hard-skinned types that can be stored without refrigeration (as opposed to summer squash such as zucchini). Here are seven winter squash you and your family will love, and ideas for how to eat them:

1. Butternut Squash

A tube-shaped squash with a bulbous end, butternut has smooth, buff-colored skin. The fine-textured, deep-orange flesh tastes similar to sweet potatoes, though some liken the flavor to butterscotch.

Nutrisystem Category: SmartCarb
Nutrition Highlights: A one-cup serving has 63 calories, 2.8 grams of fiber, no fat and negligible amounts of sodium, but it gives you 14 percent of your RDA for potassium and a whopping 297 percent of your daily vitamin A supply.
Try: Because of its smooth (non-stringy) texture, butternut is ideal for soups and many bakers prefer it to pumpkin for making pies. Try this Creamy Butternut Squash Soup perfect for cool weather.

2. Acorn Squash

As the name suggests, this squash is shaped like an acorn, with distinct ribs on its hard, black-green skin. The golden-yellow flesh inside is sweet with a hint of nuttiness and it is a bit fibrous. Acorn squash tend to be small–mostly between 1 and 3 pounds–so they are easy to cut in half and serve inside their skin.

Nutrisystem Category: SmartCarb
Nutrition Highlights: You get 56 calories, 2.1 grams of fiber, and 25 percent of your RDA for vitamin C in a one-cup serving of acorn squash.
Try: Slow baking brings out the natural sweetness of acorn squash. This Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe is one of our own favorites.

3. Spaghetti Squash

This variety gets its name because when the cooked flesh is scraped from the skin with a fork it comes out in yellow strands that resemble pasta. The whole squash has a watermelon-like shape (though they typically weigh less than 5 pounds) and golden-yellow skin. The flavor is very mild.

Nutrisystem Category: Vegetables
Nutrition Highlights: With just 42 calories per one-cup serving, 2.2 grams of fiber and 10 grams of carbohydrates, spaghetti squash is a better choice than even the healthiest type of pasta. It also gives you 181 milligrams of potassium and almost no sodium.
Try: Substitute baked spaghetti squash for noodles and top with tomato sauce for a healthier take on a family favorite. Watch this quick video to learn how to make it.

4. Delicata Squash

The green-and-white-striped delicata squash may not be as familiar to many people as the first three on this list, but its popularity is rising rapidly because it is so tasty and easy to prepare. The creamy flesh inside tastes like corn, but even sweeter. Delicata has a thinner, more tender skin than other winter squashes; in fact, you can eat the skin rather than remove it.

Nutrisystem Category: SmartCarb
Nutrition Highlights: In one cup of Delicata squash, you get 82 calories, 1.5 grams of fiber, 52 percent of your RDA for vitamin C and 457 percent of the RDA for vitamin A.
Try: Cut in half and then into C-shaped slices, Delicata takes only 15 to 20 minutes to bake and needs little more than a little salt and pepper to highlight its flavors.

5. Hubbard Squash

One of the largest varieties, hubbard squash typically weigh 8 to 20 pounds. Their roundish shape and nubbly skin resembles that of their close cousin, pumpkins, though hubbard’s outer color ranges from orange to grayish blue. Beneath the hard skin, the yellow flesh is sweet, dry and fine-textured.

Nutrisystem Category: SmartCarb
Nutrition Highlights: Hubbards have comparatively high sugar content, which pushes up the calorie count in a one-cup serving to 102. But it comes with 10 grams of fiber, 734 milligrams of potassium, and no fat.
Try: You can bake hubbard squash whole–just use a knife to pierce the skin in a few places to allow air to escape. For the best flavor, roast halves of squash, cut side up in a shallow pan of water for about 1 hour.

6. Kabocha Squash

Also known as Hokkaido or Japanese Pumpkin, kabocha has green, bluish-gray, or deep orange skin. The deep yellow or pale orange flesh inside has a lightly sweet flavor and a dry, flaky texture. Kabocha squash tend to be small (most are 2 to 3 pounds), so they are often used as a substitute for pumpkins, when a smaller squash would be easier to cook.

Nutrisystem Category: SmartCarb
Nutrition Highlights: One cup of kabocha squash has 53 calories, 3 grams of fiber and 8 grams of total carbohydrates. Because it’s so low in calories, you can enjoy two cups as a SmartCarb choice on Nutrisystem.
Try: Roasted kabocha cut into cubes adds a hint of sweetness to salads or mixed vegetable medleys. Adding pureed kabocha helps make stews and soups thicker.

7. Calabaza Squash

People with Caribbean heritage will recognize the calabaza, which is also called West Indian pumpkin because of its shape and color. The very hard skin may be tan, green, or reddish orange. The golden orange flesh is sweeter and juicier than most other winter squashes and the texture is smooth, like the butternut.

Nutrisystem Category: SmartCarb
Nutrition Highlights: You get 76 calories, 5.7 grams of fiber, 6.8 grams of sugar, 33 percent of your RDA for vitamin C, and almost 300 percent of your daily vitamin A needs from a one-cup serving.
Try: Chunks of steamed calabaza are a tender addition to rice and salads. Roasted calabaza seeds are also tasty and loaded with nutrients.

The post 7 Squash Varieties to Try This Season appeared first on The Leaf.

from The Leaf https://leaf.nutrisystem.com/7-squash-varieties-you-need-to-try/

When the weather turns cool, baking pies fills our homes with warmth and tempting aromas. Sweet or savory, Thanksgiving pies bring together diverse and delicious ingredients to make one satisfying dish.

The only problem is that traditional pie recipes tend to be high in fat, sugar and calories. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy pie while you’re losing weight!

We’ve compiled this list of our favorite healthy Thanksgiving pies, so you can join the fun during the holiday season and beyond.

1. Healthy Apple Pie >

You can make the classic dessert for a holiday feast with all the tastes you love but far fewer calories than usual. This Healthy Apple Pie recipe features naturally sweet apples, along with fragrant cinnamon and a spark of tart lemon, so it hits all the right notes. The crust is made with whole wheat flour, which has plenty of fiber to fill you up. The dough includes light butter to give it a flaky texture. Your family and guests will rave about it and only you will know each slice has just five grams of fat and 147 calories.

2. Mini Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pies >

With these little pies, everyone can have their own dessert, making them easy to serve at potluck parties, buffets and other casual get-togethers. The crust is simple to prepare using rolled oats, super-sweet dates and almond milk. The filling blends creamy Neufchatel cheese and pumpkin puree and is flavored with vanilla, maple syrup and pumpkin pie spices. This Mini Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie recipe is ready after baking for just 20 minutes, so it’s a great choice when you don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen and want to show up with an impressive dish.

3. Instant Pot Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie >

Pie can be the main course of your meal, not just dessert, when you make it with savory ingredients like this one. This variation on classic shepherd’s pie includes super-nutritious and filling sweet potatoes, along with ground turkey, hearty mushrooms, green peas and onions. You make it in the Instant Pot, a handy appliance that prepares food quickly. The whole Instant Pot Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie recipe has six servings or enough to serve a whole family from one dish.

4. Air Fryer Cranberry Pecan Pie >

The finishing touch on your Thanksgiving feast can be this sophisticated Air Fryer Cranberry Pecan Pie recipe that is easy to make and low in calories. The light, flavorful crust starts with oat and almond flours, cinnamon and brown sugar. It turns golden brown and firm in the air fryer. The pie’s filling showcases two beloved holiday tastes, cranberries and pecans, as well as orange zest and vanilla. The mixture is poured into the crust and then it all cooks to perfection in the air fryer. Serve it with a topping of light whipped cream and watch as smiles erupt around the table.

5. Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Pie >

You can enjoy a decadent dessert without derailing your weight loss plan. This Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Pie recipe, for instance, includes real chocolate chips, cocoa powder and fresh raspberries. It gets its creamy texture from silken tofu, which absorbs the tastes of other ingredients, plus low-calorie almond milk. That means the pie is dairy-free yet full of flavor, with natural sweeteners helping to keep the calories low for you. This pie is almost guaranteed to find a place on the list of your family’s favorites.

6. Crustless Pumpkin Pie >

If you agree that the best part of the traditional holiday dessert is the rich and creamy filling, you’ll love this Crustless Pumpkin Pie recipe. Its smooth texture comes from pumpkin puree blended with eggs, whipped cream and milk. The flavor-boosting combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and ground cloves, plus natural sweetener, give it the authentic taste you and your guests expect. Because there’s no crust (and no gluten), the pie is made in just a few simple steps.

7. Instant Pot Mixed Berry Crumble >

What’s the straightest line from craving homemade pie to eating one? Answer: this Instant Pot Mixed Berry Crumble recipe. You make it in an Instant Pot, so there’s no baking involved. The filling is made with a bag of frozen strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, so there’s no prep work for you to do. The crumbly, sweet, cinnamon-flavored “crust” goes on top of the filling. The Instant Pot crisps up the top and turns the filling warm and gooey. For an extra boost of creaminess, finish each serving with a dollop of vanilla Greek yogurt.

8. Crustless Spinach Feta Pie >

Pie can be a hearty lunch or dinner when it’s filled with a savory blend of vegetables and cheese. Our version of this Mediterranean classic starts with spinach, a nutritional powerhouse, that’s mixed with feta, asiago and cream cheeses. Pine nuts add a little crunch, along with healthy fats that keep you feeling full when you’re done eating. There’s no crust, so you just mix up the ingredients and bake until firm. The Crustless Spinach Feta Pie recipe makes eight servings, and you can save the leftovers in the fridge for a few days for quick and easy Flex lunches.

9. Maple Chocolate Pecan Pies >

Store-bought dough makes baking these tempting pies a snap. Pecans, maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla give them that seasonal flavor, and a layer of chocolate chips adds sweetness and pleasure. A package of dough makes four Maple Chocolate Pecan Pies that you can cut into five servings each—just right for a festive holiday party. Because each serving is so low in calories, you can enjoy the dessert, too, and stay on track to your weight loss goal.

10. Chicken Pot Pie >

Chicken Pot Pie is comfort food that warms you from the inside out. This version is brimming with juicy chicken breast, carrots, onions, celery and tender green peas, all in a rich sauce. The biscuit topping, made with whole wheat pastry flour, turns golden brown as the filling heats up and the fragrance of garlic, thyme and other seasonings waft through your home. It is sure to bring the whole family to the table with a hearty appetite.

11. Sweet Potato Pecan “Pie” >

The skin on sweet potatoes serves as the crust for this healthy take on a popular holiday treat. To make this Sweet Potato Pecan “Pie”, you simply cut open a sweet potato, scoop out the flesh and blend it with cinnamon, maple syrup and brown sugar, then spoon it back into the skin. A few pecans on top add crunch. After 15 minutes of baking, the “pie” comes out tender and flavorful. Even better, it has plenty of protein, fiber and other key nutrients to power your day.

12. Slow Cooker Apple Cranberry Crumble >

Favorite fall foods, apples and cranberries, are featured in this easy-to-make dessert. Green Granny Smith apples give it a sweet and tangy flavor and a hint of crunch. Cranberries provide a tart contrast and brilliant color. They’re mixed with maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla extract and other ingredients, and they all blend as they cook. The crumb topping is made with rolled oats and whole wheat flour, and it turns brown and a little crunchy as it cooks. Because it’s made in the slow cooker, you can stay busy with other priorities while this Slow Cooker Apple Cranberry Crumble is getting ready for you to eat.

13. 4-Step Skinny Chocolate Cream Pie >

Chocolate cream pie sounds like the kind of dessert you must turn down when you’re on a weight loss plan. At Nutrisystem, we want you to enjoy your holiday feasts and avoid excess calories, so we reimagined this pie to make it healthier yet still creamy and delicious. Chocolate chips and cocoa powder are mixed with silken tofu and cashew butter to make the filling sweet but low in fat. No need to worry about your baking skills with this 4-Step Skinny Chocolate Cream Pie. All you do is chill it in your refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours.

14. Crustless Cranberry Pie >

Fresh cranberries play a starring role in this blockbuster dessert. High-fiber whole wheat flour, protein-rich Greek yogurt, and sweet applesauce are the best supporting actors, making this Crustless Cranberry Pie filling and satisfying, yet light and low in calories. While there’s no crust, each bite brings you the flavors of the fruit and the dough. Serve it warm and your Thanksgiving dinner will be complete.

15. Easy Turkey Pot Pie >

Whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight dinner or a tasty dish to share at Thanksgiving celebrations, this Easy Turkey Pot Pie recipe will satisfy all your comfort food cravings. It’s easy to make and packed with healthy ingredients and delicious flavor.

The post 15 Healthy Thanksgiving Pies appeared first on The Leaf.

from The Leaf https://leaf.nutrisystem.com/thanksgiving-pies/