Healthy Dinner Menu Plan

by Jenny Sugar 0

After getting home from a busy day of work, especially if I hit the gym, the same question always pops into mind — what to make for dinner? Without a plan in mind, it's easy to fall back on boxed mac and cheese or Chinese takeout, which aren't the healthiest options. To prevent scrambling to whip together a not-so-healthy meal, take time to map out your dinner menu for the week. Knowing which dishes you're making will also make you more efficient in the grocery store. Here's a sample menu (complete with a grocery list) that you can follow to ensure your weekdays always end in a nutritious meal.

Monday: Salad With Grilled Chicken and Fresh Strawberries

What you'll need:

• Chicken
• Fresh spinach
• Carrots
• Cucumber
• Green peppers
• Broccoli
• Strawberries (feel free to add other fresh or dried fruits)
• Avocado
• Goat cheese (optional)
• Your favorite dressing

Continue reading for the rest of the week's healthy menu and grocery list.

Tuesday: Spicy Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burritos

What you'll need:

• Black beans, cooked
• Tomatoes or salsa
• Red pepper
• Onion
• Chili powder or fresh green chile
• Sweet potatoes
• Monterey jack cheese
• Whole wheat wraps

Wednesday: Grilled Fish Tacos With Pineapple Mango Salsa

What you'll need:

• White fish (tilapia, haddock, or cod)
• Olive oil
• Fresh lime juice
• Ground cumin
• Garlic
• Taco shells or whole wheat pitas
• Fresh greens
• Pineapple
• Mango
• Tomatoes
• Jalapeño
• Fresh cilantro or mint
• Avocado

Thursday: Gingered Tofu With Kale Over Quinoa

What you'll need:

• Extra firm tofu
• Olive oil
• Soy sauce
• Fresh ginger root
• Fresh lime juice
• Honey
• Kale
• Quinoa

Friday: Homemade Veggie Pizza

What you'll need:

• Pre-made whole wheat crust or dough
• Tomato sauce
• Mushrooms
• Asparagus
• Tomatoes
• Yellow peppers
• Zucchini
• Fresh basil
• Mozzarella cheese

These are just basic grocery lists for each meal. If you want to follow the recipe exactly, click on the link for the entire list of ingredients, or if you have different recipes or love to experiment in the kitchen, feel free to mix up the ingredients as you please.

Source: Flickr User pellesten