In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleYour Meal PlanSomething SweetWhat’s Inspiring Me This Week
In This ArticleView All
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In This Article
Your Meal Plan
Something Sweet
What’s Inspiring Me This Week
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I generally look for sweets instead of savory snacks, so needless to say, I love all of the delicious desserts the holiday season brings. But sometimes enjoying more sweets than normal leaves me feeling a little fatigued and not at my best. So, taking a break from eating added sugar for a week between Thanksgiving and Christmas feels about right. This week’s dinner recipes have no added sugar but are still full of delicious flavor—start cooking them up, and you’ll see!
As a dietitian, I firmly believe that all foods can be part of a nutritious, balanced diet. Yet, most adults, including myself, consume much more added sugar daily than experts recommend. According to theAmerican Heart Association, Americans, on average, consume 17 teaspoons of sugar per day compared to the 6 or 9 recommended for women and men, respectively. One big issue is thatadded sugar sneaks into foodsthat aren’t even considered sweet, such as salad dressings and store-bought sauces.
I try to eat salmon every week since it’s packed with heart-healthyomega-3 fatty acids. But some of my favorite ways to prepare it (like miso-glazed salmon) have added sugar. Tuesday’sRoast Salmon with Chimichurri Sauceis a flavorful alternative. Made with plenty of fresh herbs, the chimichurri is a savory foil to the buttery salmon. Served with crusty whole-wheat baguette and a salad tossed with a homemadeSherry Dijon Vinaigrette, it’s simple yet satisfying.
Sunday:Smoked Turkey, Kale & Rice BakeMonday:Sweet Potato & Black Bean ChiliTuesday:Roast Salmon with Chimichurri Saucewith mixed greens tossed withSherry Dijon Vinaigretteand a slice of whole-wheat baguetteWednesday:Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Green Beanswith farroThursday:Spaghetti Squash CasseroleFriday:Cumin Chicken & Chickpea Stewwith whole-wheat couscous and steamed broccoli
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Andrea Mathis
Ditching the added sugar doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy sweets. And theseApple Pie Energy Ballsare perfect for the season. Sweetened with dried apples and dates and made with heart-healthy pecans and almond butter, along with high-fiber oats, snacking on these energy balls in the afternoon helps keep my energy level steady while satisfying my sweet tooth.
Get the Recipe:Apple Pie Energy Balls
Find Out More:The Easiest Recipe to Make from ‘Lessons in Chemistry,’ According to the Show’s Culinary Consultant
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