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The holiday season is often accompanied by an array of delicious, and often calorically dense foods. While this is not a bad thing in any way, it can be intimidating if you’re on a weight loss journey and working to stick to your goals as the new year approaches.
Remembering that rich and filling holiday meals still have a spot in your diet and won’t “ruin” your progress, as often stated in diet culture, it can be helpful to have other, more nutrient dense meals to lean back on during the days you’re looking to nourish your body a little extra. As we move closer to 2022, we gathered the top six meals you should be throwing into your crock pot this month to achieve healthy and sustainable weight loss without sacrificing flavor.
Taco Casserole
Tacos are a delicious and easy way to incorporate ample veggies into your diet, and this casserole recipe is no exception. Providing significant protein from the ground beef, which can also be swapped out for ground turkey for a leaner option, and healthy fats in the cheese and avocado, this meal is balanced to perfection to hit all your macronutrient needs for weight loss.
Ingredients: Avocado oil, ground beef, water, taco seasoning, bell pepper, onion, diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, lettuce, avocado, cilantro, sour cream
Stuffed Pepper Soup
This colorful and filling soup will naturally increase satiety and reduce your desire to overeat throughout the day, helping with weight loss and making for great leftovers. This is another balanced recipe which provides carbs, protein and healthy fat to your day, and is great to balance out the rich meals you’re likely eating throughout the holiday season.
Ingredients: Ground beef, onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, salt, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, beef broth, white rice
Beef Stew
If you’re looking for a rich and filling meal packed with protein and carbs to help fuel your body, this stew is perfect for you. With no shortage of vegetables to help enhance the nutritional value of this recipe while offering protein and carbs in the form of beef and potatoes, this hearty dish will warm you from the inside out as colder weather moves in. Not to mention your job in the kitchen is done once the ingredients have been added to the crock pot!
Ingredients: Stew beef meat, baby blonde potatoes, carrots, yellow onion, minced garlic, fresh parsley, tomato paste, coconut aminos, salt, pepper, beef broth, frozen peas, arrowroot flour
Vegetarian Chili
Following a vegetarian diet doesn’t have to exclude you from these delicious and warming recipes, and this crock pot chili is the perfect source of protein to replenish your muscles and nourish your body. This recipe makes several servings and is packed with beans and vegetables which will freeze well if you choose to return to this meal after you’ve finished eating your holiday leftovers.
Ingredients: Black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, red onion, bell pepper, garlic, cumin, oregano, chili powder, ground pepper, salt, bay leaf, jalapenos, fire roasted diced tomatoes, tomato paste, lime, masa harina
Salsa Verde Chicken
Chicken is one of the best sources of lean protein which will not only help to keep you full for longer, but will also feed your muscles after a workout for better results. This easy and delicious chicken recipe is great to offset the density of most other holiday meals while offering some delicious spice to kickstart your metabolism.
Ingredients: Chicken breast, salt and pepper, yellow onion, garlic cloves, roasted tomatoes, salsa verde, ground cumin, chili powder, chopped parsley or cilantro, jalapeno rings
Vegetarian Pad Thai
If takeout is more up your alley, try this healthier variation of pad thai at home, packed with vegetables without skimping on flavor. This dish will come together quickly in the crock pot and make for a better alternative to ordering out *again*. Not to mention it’s under 500 calories to allow you to maintain a reasonable deficit to achieve your weight loss goals.
Ingredients: Sesame oil, vegetable stock, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, ginger, garlic, carrots, zucchini, green onion, rice noodles, snow peas, bean sprouts, chopped radish, peanuts
