17 Winter Dinner Recipes for Weight Loss (2024)

Make a satisfying and healthy meal with these winter dinner recipes for weight loss. Each dinner is packed with nutritious vegetables, low in calories and high in fiber, which is a key nutrient that helps you stay full for longer periods of time. Recipes like Skillet Chili Mac and Delicata Squash & Tofu Curry are tasty and hearty.

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Creamy Fettuccine with Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms

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Sliced Brussels sprouts and mushrooms cook quickly and cling to the pasta in our fall version of pasta primavera. Look for presliced mushrooms to cut prep time. Serve with a tossed salad.

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Baked Vegetable Soup

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Originally prepared in the wood-burning hearths of Italian homes, this peasant-style healthy vegetable soup recipe is simple to make in a modern oven. Brimming with artichokes, mushrooms, zucchini and leeks, this easy soup heats up the house as it becomes the perfect warming meal.

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Slab Chicken Potpie

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Slab fruit pies are all the rage for summer parties, so why not give classic chicken potpie the same treatment and create buzz at a cool-weather gathering as well. Premade pie crusts and frozen veggies make this chicken dinner easy to prepare without sacrificing flavor.

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Skillet Chili Mac

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Poblanos add a kick of heat to this chili mac recipe. If that's not your thing, swap in green bell peppers to tone down the heat in this easy pasta dish, which mashes up mac and cheese and chili into a seriously satisfying skillet dinner.

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Cheesy Spinach-&-Artichoke Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

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This spaghetti-squash-for-pasta swap slashes both carbs and calories by 75 percent for a delicious, creamy casserole you can feel good about eating. It's worth roasting the squash versus cooking it in the microwave if you have the time: the flavor gets sweeter and more intense.

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Middle Eastern Chicken & Chickpea Stew

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This quick, protein-rich chicken stew recipe gets great flavor from cumin, lemon juice and garlic. Make a double batch and freeze it for a quick healthy dinner. Serve the stew with couscous and steamed broccoli.

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Delicata Squash & Tofu Curry

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This easy tofu curry, made with pretty delicata squash and hearty greens, cooks up in one skillet. To speed up the prep, use bagged chopped kale. Delicata squash's thin skin is tender when it's cooked, so there's no need to peel--another time saver. Serve with quinoa or brown rice.

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Cornbread-Topped Chili Casserole

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In this healthy casserole recipe--sometimes called tamale pie--the cornbread gets crusty at the edges, thanks to a cast-iron skillet. For the best texture, use yellow cornmeal with a medium grind. Serve with lime wedges for a little extra tang.

Lemony Lentil Soup with Collards

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You don't need broth for this lentil soup recipe--it's rich thanks to the browned bits in the bottom of the pan that meld into the soup, packing it with flavor. Ground coriander, from the seed of the cilantro plant, has a floral, citrusy flavor that dovetails nicely with the lemon.

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Spaghetti Squash & Meatballs

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With this spaghetti squash and meatballs recipe, you can reduce the carbohydrates and increase the vegetable servings by skipping pasta and serving the Italian-seasoned turkey meatballs and quick, homemade marinara sauce over thin strands of cooked spaghetti squash instead. Cooking the squash first in the microwave and then in a skillet to cook off the extra moisture, gives the squash a more spaghetti-like texture.

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Smoky Shrimp, Corn & Pea One-Pot Pasta

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Make your sauce and pasta all at once with this fast weeknight pasta dinner recipe. By using the exact amount of water you need to cook the pasta--no colanders here--the starch that cooks off into your pasta water, which you usually drain away, stays in the pot, giving you delectably creamy results.

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Easy Vegetarian Chili

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Canned beans and tomatoes make this quick vegetarian chili recipe ready to go in just 30 minutes. Serve over rice or couscous, or with tortilla chips for added crunch, and add extra toppings as you see fit--sliced scallions, chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado and sliced jalapeños are all tasty choices.

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Potato Enchiladas

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Frozen potatoes, often labeled diced hash brown potatoes, make these healthy enchiladas come together quickly. Feel free to sub in sweet potatoes for an added boost of vitamin A, if desired.

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Chicken & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo

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Sun-dried tomatoes and Romano cheese pack a flavorful punch along with the tantalizing aroma of fresh marjoram in this rustic Italian-inspired dish. Serve with sautéed fresh spinach or steamed broccolini.

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Beef Stroganoff

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A little tender beef goes a long way when it is supplemented with flavorful mushrooms and enriched with a robust sauce in this healthy stroganoff.

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Baked Tofu Stir-Fry with Cabbage & Shiitakes

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This healthy vegetarian tofu stir-fry recipe is made with less oil by cooking the ingredients on two large sheet pans in the oven instead of in a wok. Flavored with savory black bean-garlic sauce, toasted sesame oil and Chinese rice wine, this quick stir-fry recipe makes a delicious, low-fuss weeknight dinner.

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Pistachio-Crusted Chicken with Warm Barley Salad

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Barley and pistachios give this healthy chicken recipe a double dose of nutty flavor. For an easy change-up, swap in your favorite whole grain, such as brown rice, farro or quinoa.

17 Winter Dinner Recipes for Weight Loss (2024)

FAQs

What should I eat in winter to lose weight? ›

Winter foods to lose weight and burn belly fat
  • Winter and its foods. Of the many things winter has to offer, food is certainly on the top of the list. ...
  • Season to eat healthy. ...
  • What to eat? ...
  • Carrots. ...
  • Cinnamon. ...
  • Beetroot. ...
  • Guava. ...
  • Methi seeds.
Nov 16, 2023

What is the best dinner time to lose weight? ›

Canadeo, who says the best time to eat dinner according to several studies is between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., agrees that leaning on the earlier side is better. “Researchers found that when eating earlier, they had better blood sugar regulation and improved fat metabolism, which is a factor in fat storage,” Canadeo says.

What should a meal look like to lose weight? ›

A good weight loss meal plan should follow some universal criteria: Includes plenty of protein and fiber. Protein- and fiber-rich foods help keep you fuller for longer, reducing cravings and helping you feel satisfied with smaller portions ( 6 , 7 , 8 ).

What drink is good for weight loss in winter? ›

Fennel water reduces appetite and food cravings in winter. Soak some fennel seeds in water overnight and drink the water in the morning. It maintains gut health and enhances the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals. Consuming fennel water regularly helps in weight management.

Which fruit is best for weight loss in winter? ›

Let's explore these healthy winter fruits for weight loss, knowing how these fruits contribute to weight loss in your body:
  1. Oranges. ...
  2. Figs. ...
  3. Guava. ...
  4. Custard Apple. ...
  5. Pineapple. ...
  6. Pomegranate. ...
  7. Starfruit. ...
  8. Grapefruit.

What is the best dinner to lose belly fat? ›

Studies indicate that a diet rich in high protein foods, such as eggs, fish, seafood, legumes, nuts, meat, and dairy results in overall less abdominal fat, more satiety, and an increased metabolic function. Adding fiber-rich foods to meals is also a key in keeping off the body fat.

What are the three meals for weight loss? ›

The idea is that, by eating three meals a day while breaking them up with some fruits and vegetables in between, you're able to control your food intake and your appetite. Spreading calories throughout the day keeps you from getting hungry after each meal.

What should I eat for breakfast lunch and dinner to lose weight? ›

Weight loss principles
  • Aim for half of the plate to contain nonstarchy vegetables.
  • Include leafy greens and raw salads.
  • Make sure each meal has a source of lean protein.
  • Limit carbohydrates and starchy vegetables, such as potatoes, to no more than a quarter of the plate.
Sep 22, 2020

Should I skip breakfast to lose weight? ›

Does Skipping Breakfast Help You Lose Weight? Breakfast skipping may help you lose minimal weight in the short term, but the practice is far from sustainable and can even backfire. According to a 2022 study in Nutrients, skipping breakfast was related to insulin resistance and weight gain.

What is the 5 day slim down diet? ›

The five-day diet ranges from 1100 calories on day one to 800 calories on days two to five, made up of foods that are plant-based, low sugar, low protein and contain a research-backed composite of nutrients.

What foods to avoid when losing weight? ›

Foods to limit when trying to lose weight
  • Sugary beverages. Many beverages, such as sodas, sports drinks, and fruit juices, are very high in added sugars but often low in other nutrients. ...
  • Baked foods. ...
  • Fried foods. ...
  • Processed fast food. ...
  • Crackers and chips. ...
  • Refined breads and pastas. ...
  • White rice. ...
  • Processed energy and granola bars.

How many calories do I need to lose 2 pounds a week? ›

Generally to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week, you need to burn 500 to 1,000 calories more than you consume each day, through a lower calorie diet and regular physical activity. Depending on your weight, 5% of your current weight may be a realistic goal, at least for an initial goal.

Is it possible to lose weight in winter? ›

Though the start of the year is an excellent time to reflect on lifestyle habits and make healthy changes, winter is not the best season to expect massive weight loss. That's because our bodies hold onto calorie reserves and crave calorie-rich foods when the temperature drops.

Is it possible to Loss weight in winter? ›

With just a little mindful eating and some structured physical activity, we can easily lose weight during winter. Here are some simple and effective tips: Don't ditch your exercise regime. Instead of intense gym sessions, sign up for some indoor group activity.

Can you still lose weight in the winter? ›

So, winter is actually a great time to lose weight if we stay active and follow a healthy diet. But, because we tend to lose our motivation, retreat to our cozy beds and overindulge in warm comfort foods, we can often counteract the positive benefits of the winter months in helping us lose weight.

How can I avoid weight gain in winter? ›

5 Tips to Avoid Winter Weight Gain
  1. Exercise, exercise, exercise.
  2. Never go to a party hungry.
  3. Avoid alcohol.
  4. Practice calorie damage control.
  5. Remember to have fun.

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