What Is Light Food?
Light foods are a combination of nutritious ingredients that are easy to digest and absorb by the body.
What Light Foods To Eat To Stay Healthy
A few examples of light foods are lettuce, spinach, and other leafy greens, broccoli, tomato, beetroot, carrot, sweet potato, cucumber, eggplant, scallions, and other seasonal vegetables, semolina, wheat pasta, wheat noodles, skinless chicken, fish, eggs, mushrooms, legumes, buckwheat, sorghum, quinoa, millets, brown bread, homemade multigrain bread, soy, tofu, almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, pepita, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, low GI fruits like apple, muskmelon, guava, citrus fruits, etc., herbs and spices, and limited amounts of olive oil, avocado oil, rice bran oil, and ghee. Now that you know what your light food diet should comprise, here are 15 light food recipes that will take you from breakfast to dinner. A study conducted on around 1057 US adults about their eating habits showed that 8.6% indulge in eating fairly healthy food. The majority of the population, 64%, do not know if they consume healthy food or not. Additionally, only 4.5% of the population consume very healthy food. So these light food healthy recipes which are easy to prepare can help people switch to healthy eating. Whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, a satisfying lunch, or some light food for dinner, these recipes have got you covered. They are easy to cook, light, and delicious! Check them out.
16 Light Foods Recipes
The recipes listed below can be a part of a balanced diet to ensure you are getting all the nutrients in proper amounts. However, before trying them, check for allergies keep a list of alternatives handy, and consult your doctor. Now, let’s check them out.
1. Low-Fat Tarragon Chicken Salad
Prep Time: 7 minutes; Cooking Time: 20 minutes; Serves: 1
1 cup chicken breast cubes ⅙ cup dried cranberries ¼ cup low-fat yogurt 1 tablespoon lime juice ¼ cup thinly sliced red onions ½ cup chopped celery 1 teaspoon dried tarragon Salt to taste ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2. Proteinaceous Tuna And Veggie Omelet
Prep Time: 7-8 minutes; Cooking Time: 15 minutes; Serves: 2
3 eggs 4 oz tuna fillet ¼ cup low-fat milk ⅙ cup chopped zucchini ⅙ cup chopped red bell peppers A handful of cilantro Cooking spray Salt to taste ½ teaspoon black pepper
3. Healthy Heart Fish Taco
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cooking Time: 10 minutes; Serves: 2
2 medium-sized mackerels 2 taco shells ½ cup chopped tomatoes ¼ cup chopped onions ¼ cup avocado 2 tablespoons low-fat yogurt ¼ cup chopped iceberg lettuce 5 tablespoons lime juice 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon garlic paste ½ teaspoon ginger paste 1 tablespoon dried rosemary ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper A handful of cilantro Salt to taste ¼ teaspoon black pepper
4. Cholesterol-Lowering Broccoli Casserole
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cooking Time: 15 minutes; Serves: 2
1 ½ cups broccoli florets ½ cup chopped carrots ¼ cup diced zucchini ¼ cup green peas 6 slices of eggplant ½ cup crumbled tofu 3 tablespoons olive oil ½ tablespoon dried herbs 2 tablespoons lime juice Salt according to taste ½ teaspoon black pepper
5. Quinoa Salad To Burn Fat
Prep Time: 15 mins; Cooking Time: 15 mins; Serves: 2
½ cup quinoa ½ cup chopped carrots ¼ cup chopped onions ¼ cup chopped yellow bell pepper ¼ cup chopped tomato ¼ cup chopped cucumber ¼ cup sweet corn kernels 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1 cup water A handful of cilantro 2 tablespoons lime juice Salt to taste ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Sonia Goel, a doctor and blogger, recalls preparing a very special quinoa salad recipe where she used fresh real ingredients packed with protein and healthy vegetables. She sheds light on quinoa and its benefits, writing, “Quinoa is a really amazing food for health freaks because it contains proteins. So, it’s very good for vegetarian type diets or even as a meat substitute (i).”
6. Skin-Rejuvenating Breakfast Smoothie
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cooking Time: 2 minutes; Serves: 1
½ cup peach ½ cup chopped celery ½ cup baby spinach 1 teaspoon honey A pinch of pink Himalayan salt
7. Digestion-Improving Fruit Salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cooking Time: 3 minutes; Serves: 1
¼ cup apple ½ cup papaya 2 diced dried prunes ½ cup pineapple 1 teaspoon cumin seed powder 1 teaspoon fennel seed powder 2 tablespoons lime juice A pinch of pink Himalayan salt
8. Light Dinner Whole Wheat Pasta
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cooking Time: 30 minutes; Serves: 2
1 cup whole wheat bow tie pasta ½ cup chopped zucchini ¼ cup broccoli florets ½ cup chicken breast cubes 7 cups water 2 teaspoons oregano 6 tablespoons oil 1 tablespoon minced garlic 4 tablespoons grated cheddar cheese Salt to taste 1 teaspoon black pepper
9. Nourishing Veggie Noodles
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cooking Time: 15 minutes; Serves: 2
½ zucchini 1 carrot 1 medium beetroot 1 teaspoon garlic paste 2 tablespoons freshly grated coconut 1 teaspoon chopped red chili 1 teaspoon mustard seeds 2 tablespoons lime juice Salt to taste 3 tablespoons olive oil Coriander leaves to garnish
10. Satiating Thai Prawn Curry
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cooking Time: 20 minutes; Serves: 2
200 g medium-sized prawns 50 g French beans 1 chopped red pepper 1 tablespoon Thai fish sauce 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste 200 ml chicken stock 150 ml coconut milk 3 tablespoons lime juice 4 tablespoons olive oil 5-6 basil leaves Coriander leaves
11. Low-Sugar Light Semolina Dessert
Prep Time: 2 minutes; Cooking Time: 7 minutes; Serves: 2
2 tablespoons ghee or clarified butter 6 tablespoons semolina ⅔ cup milk 4 tablespoons brown sugar ½ teaspoon cardamom powder 6 crushed almonds
12. Sweet Potato Light Snack Crisps
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cooking Time: 20 minutes; Serves: 4
2 sweet potatoes 4 tablespoons olive oil Salt to taste 1 ½ smoked paprika ½ cup yogurt ¼ cup grated cucumber 1 tablespoon grated cheddar cheese
13. High-Fiber Tofu Brown Rice
Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cooking Time: 20 minutes; Serves: 2
1 cup brown rice 1 ½ cups water ¼ cup sweet corn kernels 100 g tofu ½ cup chopped onion ¼ cup green peas 10 button mushrooms 1 teaspoon minced garlic ½ teaspoon ginger paste 4 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon coriander powder ½ teaspoon cumin powder Salt to taste ½ teaspoon pepper
14. Blood-Purifying Vegan Beetroot Soup
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cooking Time: 25 minutes; Serves: 2
1 large chopped beetroot ½ cup chopped carrot ½ cup broccoli florets 1 cup vegetable stock ½ cup chopped onion 2 teaspoon garlic paste 1 teaspoon ginger paste 1 dollop vegan butter 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon lime juice 2 cups water Salt to taste ¼ teaspoon pepper Coriander leaves for garnish
15. Bone-Strengthening Lettuce Wrap
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cooking Time: 10 minutes; Serves: 2
2 fresh and crunchy lettuce leaves ½ cup chopped tomatoes ¼ cup chopped red onions ¼ cup finely chopped apple ½ cup shredded poached chicken breast ¼ cup chopped cucumber 6 pickled jalapenos A handful of cilantro 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt to taste ½ teaspoon black pepper
16. Low-Carb Baked Salmon With Lemon And Dill
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cooking time: 12-15 minutes; Serves: 4 Ingredients
4 salmon filets 2 tablespoons of olive oil Salt and pepper to taste 2 lemons, thinly sliced 1-2 tablespoons of fresh dill sprigs 4 garlic cloves, minced ½ teaspoon of lemon zest for garnish
How to Prepare If you are a vegetarian, you may also want to check out vegetarian salad recipes that you can enjoy any time of the day. These recipes are packed with nutrients and are easy to digest. Also, if you want to reap the benefits of these recipes, you must follow certain tips. Read on to learn more about them.
Cooking Tips For Light Food Recipes
Choose seasonal vegetables for the best taste and nutrient content. Go for steaming or grilling instead of frying to lower your calorie consumption. Add herbs and spices to enhance the taste without increasing calories. Avoid added sugars using natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup in moderation. Ensure to use colorful fruits and vegetables to ensure a good mix of vitamins and minerals in your dishes. Wash and chop the leafy greens and vegetables fresh to retain maximum nutrients. Opt for whole grains over refined grains for added fiber and nutrients.
What are the best light foods for weight loss? The following infographic provides information on the various benefits of eating light. Take a look.Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team The best light foods for weight loss are those high in nutrients, low in calories, and satisfying to help you feel full. Some examples include leafy greens, lean proteins like chicken and fish, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. These foods provide essential nutrients while helping you manage your weight effectively. Can light foods be filling? Yes, light foods can be filling if you choose nutrient-dense options that are high in fiber and protein. Is Dosa a light food? Yes, dosa is light food. This vegetarian food option is gluten-free and a single serving of plain dosa has approximately 37 calories. However, the stuffings can add more calories to it. Is a sandwich a light meal? A simple sandwich made with whole wheat bread and only veggies is considered a light meal. However, ingredients like sauces or mayonnaise add up the calories to it. What is a light snack? A light snack is for in-between meals, has low calories, and is easily digestible. Fruits, greek yogurt, or baked crisps are a few examples of light snacks. Is toast considered a light meal? Yes, toast can be considered a light meal. Topping it with baked beans or eggs can be a healthy choice.
Illustration: Light Food Recipes That Are Easy To Digest
Check out these simple dinner recipes that are healthy, delicious, and perfect for your busy weeknights. Click on the video to learn how to make them in no time.
