Weight Loss Recipes

Easter is a day for treats of all kinds. So what can you do when you’re eating for weight loss on Nutrisystem? Make Easter dessert recipes that give you all the pleasure you want, but that don’t come with loads of calories.

To help you find the best treats for you and your family, we’ve gathered our favorite dessert recipes for Easter. This list of Easter desserts includes cakes, cookies, candy and muffins, along with pudding and a parfait. We’ve even tucked a chocolate Easter egg into this basket of goodies. You’re sure to find some easy Easter dessert ideas that are just right for your holiday meals.

1. Iced Lemon Loaf Cake >

Celebrate spring with the sunny flavor of lemons in this brilliant Iced Lemon Loaf Cake recipe. It tastes just like the cake from the popular coffee shop, but it has about half the calories and 30 percent less fat. This version comes out light and airy, and the sweet glaze is simple to make with just three ingredients.

2. Avocado Chocolate Cake >

Guacamole is delicious, but the best way to enjoy avocado might be in this frosted Avocado Chocolate Cake recipe. It gives the cake and the icing a smooth creamy texture, while the rich chocolate flavor of cocoa powder takes over for the mild-tasting avocado. You can top this cake with sprinkles or Easter candy if you’re serving it at a party, or add chopped nuts to give yourself a boost of PowerFuel.

3. Mixed Triple Berry Scones >

Your Easter morning will be extra special when you pull these tasty pastries out of the oven. This Mixed Triple Berry Scone recipe is light, flaky and a little bit buttery. Mix in your choice of berries for a burst of flavor and juiciness. Save any leftovers in the freezer and take one out whenever you want to sweeten up your coffee or tea break.

4. Sweet Strawberry Cheesecake Pudding >

This just might be the easiest, yet most impressive dessert you’ll ever make. Our Sweet Strawberry Cheesecake Pudding recipe is a great alternative to ice cream. It combines fat-free cottage cheese, low-fat cream cheese, strawberries, vanilla extract and natural sweetener in the blender. Simply blend it until it’s all smooth and creamy, then top each serving with slices of fresh strawberries.

5. Lemon Raspberry Yogurt Parfait >

Parfaits used to be diet-blasting calorie bombs. Good news: This is a healthy version you can enjoy for Easter brunch or dessert anytime without derailing your weight loss progress. If you don’t want to bake dessert, our Lemon Raspberry Yogurt Parfait recipe is built with layers of smooth and creamy Greek yogurt, juicy berries, crunchy granola and tangy lemon curd. It’s full of nutrients you need and fun flavors you love.

6. Cinnamon Streusel Muffins >

Your holiday morning will begin with a win when you make this crumbly, sweet Cinnamon Streusel Muffin recipe. Cinnamon, vanilla and applesauce gives them a lightly sweet taste, with a little extra jolt from the butter-and-brown-sugar streusel topping. They bake in about 30 minutes and the aroma will bring everyone in your home to the table.

7. Chocolate Peanut Butter Easter Eggs >

Can you believe there are candy eggs that fit into your weight loss plan? It’s true, you can make this Chocolate Peanut Butter Easter Eggs recipe with only five simple ingredients, including real peanut butter and chocolate chips. No special equipment or skills are necessary to make this traditional Easter dessert. Keep the extras in a sealed container in the fridge, so you can enjoy one whenever you’re craving a bite of the perfect combo of chocolate and peanut butter.

8. Gluten Free Chocolate Almond Biscotti >

If you want to serve something sweet with coffee or tea, try our simple and flavorful Gluten Free Chocolate Almond Biscotti recipe. They’re made with almond flour, so they have no gluten, plus almond extract and slivered almonds for a lightly nutty flavor. Cocoa powder turns them a rich brown color and adds just the right amount of chocolate taste.

9. Easy Fresh Fruit Tart >

Your guests will ooh and aah when you bring this Easy Fresh Fruit Tart recipe to the table. It’s topped with your choice of fresh fruit, such as berries, kiwi or mandarin orange segments. Below it is a creamy custard made with cream cheese and vanilla pudding, which rests in a firm whole wheat crust. Each slice is as colorful as it is delicious.

10. Almond Banana Bread >

For Easter brunch or anytime you have bananas becoming overripe, this simple Almond Banana Bread recipe makes a lightly sweet loaf that keeps you full for hours. The bananas and applesauce ensure the bread stays moist, while sliced almonds give it a bit of crunch. Make this snack even more nutritious by spreading on a tablespoon of creamy almond butter, a PowerFuel that’s high in protein and healthy fats.

11. Strawberry Lemon Icebox Cake >

This Strawberry Lemon Icebox Cake recipe is a bake-free dessert that comes together in minutes. We make it by blending Greek yogurt with lemon zest, lemon juice and natural sweetener. The tangy filling is spread on a bed of low-fat graham crackers and topped with sliced strawberries, followed by two more layers of crackers, filling and strawberries. After chilling in the refrigerator, the Easter cake comes out firm and ready to slice and serve.

12. Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake >

Bundt cake makes an attractive presentation to share with guests or to bring to a family gathering. With our Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake recipe, it comes out with the nice round shape you expect, but the cake is a healthy improvement over the standard version because you use whole wheat flour and natural sweeteners. The swirls of cinnamon in the cake provide sparks of flavor while keeping the calorie count low.

13. Healthy Angel Food Cake with Blueberry Sauce >

This Healthy Angel Food Cake recipe is golden brown on the outside, yet light and airy on the inside. The cake makes a simple platform for the sweet blueberry sauce on top or you can use any fresh fruit you like. You can bake it with standard sugar or save calories and try natural sweetener made with tropical monk fruit. Either way, your guests are sure to find the cake heavenly.

14. 23-Calorie Almond Meringue Cookies >

These dainty cookies are so light, they are almost like tasting sweetened air. Our 23-Calorie Almond Meringue Cookie recipe is made with four simple ingredients, including egg whites, cream of tartar, sugar and almond extract. The adorable Easter cookies look like you bought them at the bakery. Serve them with a bowl of fresh fruit for a dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth but doesn’t weigh you down.

15. Air Fryer Skinny Blueberry Cheesecake Donuts >

Here’s how you can have donuts on Easter morning, even when you’re eating to lose weight. These Air Fryer Skinny Blueberry Cheesecake Donuts have a moist cake base that starts with whole wheat flour, milk and an egg. They’re topped with a sweet glaze made with fresh blueberries and real cream cheese. They come out of the air fryer warm, fragrant and dare we say it, perfect for dunkin’.

16. Healthy Homemade Carrot Cake >

You don’t have to be the Easter Bunny to enjoy a carrot-filled Easter treat. This fluffy and Healthy Homemade Carrot Cake recipe is made with lots of freshly grated carrots and applesauce, so it’s naturally sweet. The high-fiber whole wheat pastry flour and protein-rich Greek yogurt keep it moist and crumbly. Instead of classic cream cheese frosting, the finishing touch is a creamy icing made with ricotta cheese and real maple syrup.

17. Strawberry Rhubarb Upside Down Cake >

Rhubarb is a spring vegetable with a tangy taste that’s the ideal complement to sweet strawberries. They’re commonly paired in pies, but we like them in this creative variation on the classic pineapple upside down cake.

To make this Strawberry Rhubarb Upside Down Cake recipe, the rhubarb and strawberries are heated and lightly sweetened, then spread into a baking dish with the whole wheat dough on top. After it all comes out of the oven, you flip it over and the fruit has become soft and juicy and the cake is moist and crumbly.

18. 3-Step Banana Pudding >

You and your family are sure to love this simple 3-Step Banana Pudding recipe. It’s made with healthy ingredients like low-fat milk and natural flavorings like cinnamon , vanilla and a fresh banana. All you do is puree them in the blender, heat the mix briefly, and then chill the pudding until it sets. Each spoonful is creamy, smooth and oh so satisfying.

19. Gluten Free Sugar Cookies >

Here is a sweet and tasty Gluten Free Sugar Cookie recipe that you can enjoy along with your family and guests. They have the authentic flavor and texture of the cookies you get at the bakery, but they’re much lower in calories, sugar and fat. Even better, they’re made with gluten-free flour so everyone can share in the goodness.

20. Easy 5-Ingredient Banana Nut Muffins >

If you love muffins but are hesitant to try baking them yourself, this Easy 5-Ingredient Banana Nut Muffins recipe is just right for you. They’re made with only a handful of ingredients: bananas, oats, raisins, cashews and cinnamon. You mix them together into a thick batter, pour it into a muffin tin, then bake for about 20 minutes. The muffins come out golden brown and ready to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea.

21. Lightened-Up Lemon Bars >

The fresh taste of lemons takes center stage in this revised version of the popular dessert. To make this Lightened-Up Lemon Bars recipe, the fruit is blended with sugar, butter and eggs to create a thick and gooey filling that’s sweet and tart. It’s layered on top of a flaky crust made with whole wheat flour and a little lemon zest. Each bar is like a bite of spring sunshine.

22. 3-Step Cinnamon Pecan Cookies >

Cookies can be the perfect little bite of sweetness you crave, and these are made just right to enjoy when you’re trying to drop excess pounds. This Cinnamon Pecan Cookie recipe comes with the perky taste of cinnamon and brown sugar, plus a crunchy, salty pecan. While they will delight your family and guests, no one will blame you for keeping them for yourself.

23. Mini No-Bake Lemon Coconut Cheesecake Bites >

This Mini No-Bake Lemon Coconut Cheesecake Bites recipe brings together so many flavors we love, including lemon, coconut and vanilla. They’re blended with real cream cheese and Greek yogurt to make a smooth filling. It’s spread onto the lightly crunchy crust, then it’s all chilled in the freezer until firm.

Each muffin-size bite will light up your tastebuds while keeping you on track to your weight loss goal. If you want to switch things up, you can make them with orange zest instead!

24. Cinnamon Raisin Carrot Muffins >

Start your Easter morning, or any day, with this lightly sweet Cinnamon Raisin Carrot Muffin recipe. They’re made with grated carrots, applesauce and yogurt, so they’re moist and crumbly. Raisins, cinnamon and maple syrup infuse them with flavor, while sliced almonds add a bit of crunch. Enjoy one with a glass of skim milk for protein to pair with the SmartCarbs in the muffin.

25. Classic Cinnamon Rolls >

Cinnamon rolls are a holiday morning tradition in many families. You can join in while you lose weight when you use this Classic Cinnamon Roll recipe. The whole wheat dough is swirled with lots of fragrant cinnamon and the rolls are glazed with vanilla-flavored cream cheese. Your family will clamor for more and only you will know they’re healthier than the store-bought kind.

26. Grasshopper Candy Bars >

While everyone else is digging into baskets full of high-calorie candy, treat yourself to this healthier Grasshopper Candy Bars recipe. They’re like the rice cereal and marshmallow treats kids love, but the flavor is taken up a notch with cocoa powder, mini chocolate chips and mint extract. They’re easy to make and lots of fun to munch.

The post 26 Easy Easter Dessert Recipes appeared first on The Leaf.

from The Leaf https://leaf.nutrisystem.com/easter-dessert-recipes/

When the days grow longer and warmer, we all feel better. Not only do we get to enjoy more fresh air and sunshine but we also find an abundance of deliciously healthy spring foods in grocery stores and farmers markets. These seasonal fruits and vegetables can be the foundation of Flex meals that the whole family will love. To help you choose and use the bounty of spring, we’ve gathered this list of eight exceptional in-season produce options, plus some tempting ways to eat them.

1. Artichokes

Artichokes are the flower buds from thistle plants. Their tough, spiny outer petals enclose smaller petals that are full of soft pulp and a tender “heart” attached to the stem. You may find purplish varieties as well as the more common dark green types. While canned artichoke hearts are available in stores year-round, spring is prime time for the fresh buds.

Nutritional highlights: According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a half-cup of cooked artichokes has about 71 calories, 2.45 grams of protein and almost 5 grams of fiber.¹ The fiber includes inulin, a compound that has been linked to an increase in good cholesterol (HDL) and a decrease in the unhealthy kind of cholesterol (LDL), according to a report in the journal Pharmacological Research.²

Tasty ideas: Fresh artichokes need to be cooked—usually steamed or boiled—before you eat them. This isn’t hard once you know how, as you can see from our simple guide. Many people enjoy the tender inner leaves dipped in butter, mayonnaise or another fat-laden dip. Skip those and make yourself a better option by blending herbs such as thyme and tarragon into plain, fat-free Greek yogurt. Slow Cooker Artichoke Chicken with Potatoes and Sundried Tomatoes is an easy-to-make yet satisfying Flex meal that feature one of our favorite spring foods.

2. Arugula

This peppery-flavored leafy green is in the same family as broccoli, cabbage and kale. Sometimes sold as rucola, salad rocket and Italian cress, arugula (say it, “ah-RUE-gah-lah”) looks a bit like dandelion leaves, which have a similar taste. If you like to garden, arugula is very easy to grow from seeds in the ground or a container and it thrives in early spring, when nighttime temperatures are still cool.

 Nutritional highlights: Like most leafy green vegetables, arugula is a good source of vitamin A, a nutrient that helps keep your immune system strong. According to the USDA, a half-cup of the greens has about 37 milligrams of potassium, which your body needs to manage its sodium levels.³ Glucosinolates, the natural compounds that give arugula its zesty flavor, appear to help protect against cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, says a report in the journal Phytochemistry Review.⁴

 Tasty ideas: Arugula is typically eaten raw in salads, sandwiches and wraps. Add a little zing of flavor to any Nutrisystem flatbread or pizza (such as Thick Crust Pizza) by chopping up arugula leaves and sprinkling them on top when the meals come out of the oven. Our Arugula Beet Salad with Orange Slices features another one of our favorite spring foods and treats your taste buds to spicy, sweet and acidic flavors in every bite.

3. Asparagus

Fresh asparagus spears are one of the sure signs that spring foods have arrived. When they’ve been recently picked, they are juicy and taste lightly sweet with just a hint of earthiness. When shopping for asparagus, be sure to choose spears with tight flower buds at the top—they start to open up after they’ve been sitting out too long. Thinner spears are more tender than big, thick ones.

Nutritional highlights: Another good source of vitamin A and potassium, a half-cup of cooked asparagus clocks in around 83 calories, says the USDA.⁵ (You may notice a distinctive odor when your body is flushing fluids after you eat asparagus—it’s no cause for alarm, just the by-product of the sulfur content in the vegetable. Read more here! >) Anthocyanin, another micronutrient in asparagus, is linked to lower blood pressure, say researchers in a report, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.⁶

 Tasty ideas: Raw asparagus is too tough to chew, but after brief steaming the spears become tender and sweet. They work well as a vegetable for dipping if you blanch them (boiled quickly and then plunged into cold water), which keeps the stalks firm but easy to chew. Roasting or grilling softens asparagus spears and brings out more flavor. We like them in our recipe for Grilled Asparagus Caesar Salad.

 4. Beets

Beets are a raw ingredient in the making of processed white sugar and they taste naturally sweet. However, when eaten in their whole form they actually rank low to medium on the glycemic index, which means they won’t cause unhealthy spikes in your body’s glucose levels. The purplish red roots are most familiar, but in spring you will find striped varieties and some that are golden yellow-orange. And don’t throw away the leafy greens on top—they can be eaten raw in salads or sautéed like spinach.

Nutritional highlights: A half-cup of cooked sliced beets has around 37 calories and 1.7 grams of fiber. They also contain folate and beta carotene, among other vitamins and minerals, says the USDA.⁷ Beets get their color from polyphenols, the same compounds in red wine that help protect your heart and reduce your risk of high blood pressure. Research, published in Hypertension, found that blood pressure was reduced for up to four hours in people who consumed beet juice.⁸

Tasty ideas: Roasting and grilling enhances the sweet flavor of beets. They can also be steamed or simply boiled to tenderize them. Beets are an ideal companion to goat cheese in one of our favorite party treats, Beet and Goat Cheese Appetizers. You and your family will love our Healthy Red Velvet Brownies, but only you will know you made them with beets.

5. Mushrooms

While you may find many kinds of mushrooms in stores year-round, the variety that chefs and other foodies say taste best—morels—are available fresh primarily in spring. You are most likely to find morels in farmer’s markets and specialty stores. If you enjoy spending time in the outdoors, you might join a local group of mushroom hunters and pick your own—look for these groups on social media and do your research before picking wild mushrooms.

Nutritional highlights: All types of mushrooms add a meaty flavor and texture to many dishes, but they don’t come with the saturated fats and excess calories you typically get with beef or pork. Mushrooms are a good food source of vitamin D, which plays an important role in managing your appetite. Overweight people who regularly eat mushrooms may reduce their body mass index (BMI) and waist size, according to a study, published in the journal Molecules.⁹

Tasty ideas: Try slices of white or button mushrooms raw in salads. Add sautéed mushrooms (hold the butter and use a little olive oil spray instead) to grilled chicken or fish. Start your day with a hearty, hot meal—including one of your four daily servings of veggies—with 4-Ingredient Mushroom Caps. Our Lettuce Wrapped Mushroom and Swiss Burger is a Flex meal that will fill you up without weighing you down.

6. Rhubarb

Ruby-red stalks of the rhubarb plant show up on produce shelves and at farmers markets in early spring and are almost always gone by the start of summer. It’s another easy plant to grow in a garden and it’s a perennial, which means you plant it once and comes back year after year. Rhubarb has a strongly tart flavor so it needs to be combined with other ingredients to be palatable.

Nutritional highlights: According to the USDA, rhubarb contains fiber and is a rich vegetable source of calcium and vitamin K, a nutrient that helps protect your bones as you age.¹⁰ It also contains catechins, a micronutrient that is abundant in green tea, too. These compounds are associated with lower BMI and overall body fat, says a report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.¹¹

Tasty ideas: Rhubarb, sometimes called “pie plant” is most commonly used to add a tangy flavor to sweet baked goods, such as muffins, scones and pies. When slow-cooked into a thick sauce called “compote,” rhubarb works as a tasty addition to plain fat-free yogurt or oatmeal. It also makes a deliciously rich sauce for grilled chicken or fish. If you want to enjoy the classic combination of strawberries and rhubarb while staying on track to your weight loss goal, try our Skinny Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble.

7. Spinach

This leafy green is one of the most nutrient-dense spring foods, which means it’s packed with vitamins and minerals but low in calories. In spring, you can find big heads of fresh spinach as well as the “baby” leaves. When fresh, spinach is dark green with firm stems and no yellow or brown spots. Don’t wash the leaves until you’re ready to eat them—lingering moisture can cause them to begin to rot.

Nutritional highlights: A cup of raw spinach has just under six calories, says the USDA. It’s also rich in vitamin A and contains calcium and vitamin C.¹² A research report, published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, concluded that when study subjects ate spinach as part of a meal, they were not hungry for more than two hours later.¹³

Tasty ideas: The immature leaves commonly sold as “baby spinach” are best for eating raw in salads, sandwiches and wraps. You can use them or the large, firmer leaves in omelets, stir-fries or pasta. An Apple Spinach Smoothie is a sweet and filling way to get spinach into your diet first thing in the morning. Spinach dip is a popular party snack—our “skinny” version has all of the flavor you love but with far fewer calories than the traditional recipe.

8. Strawberries

If you’ve only ever eaten the big, waxy strawberries sold in supermarkets year-round, you need to take a bite of the sweet, juicy fruit that’s available fresh-picked only in spring. Local strawberries don’t last long—from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day in most of the U.S.—but they are a seasonal treat worth seeking out.

Nutritional highlights: Strawberries are naturally sweet, but they’re a SmartCarb because they’re low in calories—just 48 in a 1 cup serving—and they are high in fiber. According to the USDA, they also contain vitamin C, a powerful nutrient for your immune system.¹⁴ Strawberries also are associated with a lower risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome (the conditions that often lead to diabetes), according to a report, published in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry.¹⁵

Tasty ideas: Fresh strawberries are so irresistible, they make a satisfying dessert or snack all by themselves. You can slice them up and add them to a salad that’s filled with spring foods, such as our Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad. Whip them with plain fat-free Greek yogurt to make 2-Ingredient Strawberry Froyo. Treat the whole family to a special dessert with Cannoli Stuffed Strawberries, made with real ricotta cheese and mini chocolate chips.

Looking for some delicious ways to enjoy these spring foods? Explore the Recipe Section on The Leaf! >

Do you have your own seasonal recipe that features one of these spring foods? Submit your ideas on our Recipe Submission page! >

Sources:

1. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1103411/nutrients
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043661818312672
3. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169387/nutrients
4. https://ucanr.edu/datastoreFiles/608-441.pdf
5. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168390/nutrients
6. https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/96/4/781/4576861
7. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169146/nutrients
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4288952/
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6278646/
10. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1102696/nutrients
11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15640470/
12. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1103136/nutrients
13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4600649/
14. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1102710/nutrients
15. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27172913/

The post 8 Seasonal Spring Foods to Stock Up On appeared first on The Leaf.

from The Leaf https://leaf.nutrisystem.com/spring-foods-to-stock-up-on/

Spring is prime time for weight loss. First, we all are ready to shed heavy winter clothes and the extra pounds they’ve been covering up. The return of warm, sunny days gets us excited to go outside and be active. And many favorite healthy foods come back into season in grocery stores and local farmers markets, so we have lots of choices to put delicious variety into our meals and snacks. If you’re eager to make the most of the season, check out this guide to the best tips, hints and tempting food for losing weight this spring.

Seasonal Shift

We get a head start on weight loss in spring because we naturally tend to eat fewer calories at this time of year. Researchers theorize that we tend to stockpile calories in winter because our ancestors did when food was scarce during the cold months. Check out this story to find out about five more reasons why spring is the best season for healthy weight loss:

Get Organized

Your home and routine could use a refresh in spring and it can help you speed progress to your weight loss goal. Start by going through your pantry and pulling out items that don’t fit your healthy eating plan. Gather up boxes of mac-and-cheese mix, sugary cereals, bags of candy and other high-calorie, low-nutrition foods and take them to your local food pantry.

Learn how to organize your pantry and clean out your fridge to support your weight loss success with the articles below:

Spring Clean

When the weather outside grows bright again, we like our homes to sparkle, too. A thorough cleaning also helps with weight loss. That’s because our metabolism heats up while we’re doing housework. An hour of mopping floors, washing windows, or mowing the lawn burns 270 calories (150-pound person).

Get tips on how to spring clean your way to weight loss and find out the best chores and activities to burn calories below:

Wardrobe Purge

Treating yourself to flattering new clothes for the warm season is one of the best rewards of losing weight. On the other hand, experts say that holding on to clothes that have become too big for your new shape allows you to consider the possibility that you will regain the weight you’ve worked so hard to lose.

Strengthen your commitment to the new and improved you by taking all of the old clothes out of your closet this spring and donating them to a group that will distribute them to the needy. That’s just one of the spring weight loss tips guaranteed to work that we’ve compiled for you here:

Warm Weather Fun

Beautiful spring weather entices us to get outdoors and enjoy the bright sunshine and balmy breezes. This season is the perfect time to try out new ways to exercise and be active outside. There are so many warm weather activities that torch calories!

Walks in the park become more pleasant as we listen to the birds singing and see the flowers emerging. Hiking local trails makes walking more challenging and gets us feeling fit faster.

Riding a bicycle tones muscles and burns calories, and it can be a fun way to spend time together as a family. Golf, tennis, and the popular new game of pickleball give you the thrill of competition along with the benefits of healthy activity. In many areas, you can find yoga, Zumba, and other fitness classes held outside in spring.

Seasonal Eating

Spring brings an abundance of fresh choices to the produce section of the supermarket and local farm stands. When fruit and veggies are grown near where you buy them, you can be sure they’re at the peak of ripeness, flavor and nutrition.

Asparagus, lettuce, spinach and strawberries are among the popular items that peak in spring. These seasonal spring foods are at their best this time of year and can be incorporated into many healthy meals and recipes.

Want to learn how to grow your own healthy spring produce? Gardening is a great warm weather activity that can help you burn calories! Get started with these home gardening tips for beginners:

Grill Prep

When you’re ready to start cooking over an open flame again, take time to get your grill prepared for the season. We’ve got everything you need to know in our Guide to Getting Your Grill BBQ Ready. Among the many helpful hints, you’ll find advice on replacing drip pans and emptying the grill’s grease tray so your food doesn’t get torched by a fire.

Top Tastes

The Nutrisystem menu is full of irresistible items that are sure to light up your taste buds this season. From seasonal veggies and warm weather flavors to fruity favorites that taste like spring, you’ll love our large menu filled with variety.

Seasonal green peas and mushrooms adorn our Hearty Inspirations Lemon Caper Chicken, which comes together in a sizzling skillet in just eight minutes. It features linguine pasta and tender strips of char-grilled chicken breast in a decadent and bright lemon caper sauce. With 32 grams of protein in each serving, you’ll feel full and sustain your energy with this spring-inspired dish.

The BBQ Chicken Burrito satisfies your appetite for a hot meal that’s loaded with the flavors of warm-weather cookouts. White meat chicken is paired with black beans, brown rice and mozzarella cheese and finished with our signature barbecue sauce. Perfectly portioned and stuffed inside a whole wheat tortilla, it’s a good source of protein that reminds us of sunny days ahead!

Enjoy the sweet taste of spring in every bite of our Strawberry Shortcake Cupcake. If warm weather and sunshine has you craving ripe, red strawberries, this is the dessert for you. It’s a good source of fiber and will satisfy your spring dessert cravings in a perfectly portioned, 130-calorie snack.

Celebrate sunshine and longer days with this sweet, citrus delight. Our Lemon Zest Cake is a good source of protein and packed with light lemon flavor. Finished with a drizzle of icing and specially crafted for lemon lovers, it can brighten up even the rainiest days of spring.

Nothing says spring like carrot cake! This classic Easter dessert can now be a part of your weight loss plan. Our perfectly portioned and portable Carrot Cake Cupcake features a sweetly spiced carrot cake, real carrots and our sweet cream cheese glaze for 130 calories. Enjoy bakery-fresh flavor from this smart-sized snack that has three grams of fiber and five grams of protein.

Stock up on seasonal favorites and add these delicious meals and snacks to your spring weight loss menu!

Filling Flexes

When choosing flex meals for spring, you want food that’s full of flavor but doesn’t weigh you down. Air Fryer Shrimp Cakes treat you to the lean protein of seafood with a crispy, seasoned coating. They save you calories and are simple to make, thanks to the wonders of the air fryer.

Spring Sausage and Herb Pasta is a seasonal supper that’s smart and satisfying! It features hearty sausage, green peas, fresh herbs and a bright lemony sauce.

Our Simple Spring Green Pasta Salad recipe is a great option for picnics and parties when the weather gets warmer. It has asparagus, peas and watercress with a bright lemony flavor.

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps bring together fresh seasonal produce, tender chunks of chicken breast and a flavorful peanut sauce, bundled up in easy-to-eat wraps.

For a taste of sunshine, try our Lightened-up Lemon Bars. They are sure to brighten up any day this spring. Skinny Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble is perfect for picnic season.

For more spring-inspired dessert recipes and meal ideas, check out the links below!:

The post The Nutrisystem Spring Weight Loss Guide appeared first on The Leaf.

from The Leaf https://leaf.nutrisystem.com/spring-weight-loss-guide/