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Healthy Recipes; Photo of food

Beef

Fresh Mushroom Sauce

Pour over pasta or serve with grilled meat, chicken, or fish.

New York Strip Steak Salad

A 3-ounce serving of the best steak possible is the centerpiece of this large salad. Cook the steak on an indoor, two-sided contact electric grill.

Stovetop Chili

Reduce the sodium by rinsing the beans and using low-salt canned tomatoes.

Fish and Seafood

Broiled Trout with Almonds

Farmers across the country raise this sweet, slightly nutty-tasting fish.

Citrus Swordfish

Garnish with slices of orange, lemon, and lime.

Enlightened Crab Cakes

These are delicious with a swirl of avocado sauce—avocado mashed with low-fat sour cream and lemon juice.

Fiesta Shrimp

A simple meal for one, quickly prepared in a microwave oven.

Fresh Mushroom Sauce

Pour over pasta or serve with grilled meat, chicken, or fish.

Ginger Shrimp Open-Faced Sandwiches

Great finger food for a party! The recipe makes 24 mini-sandwiches.

Grilled Salmon Steaks

Baste the steaks with dipping sauce, then grill for about 10 minutes.

Herb-Crusted Tilapia for Two

The fillets are dipped in Japanese-style breadcrumbs and herbs before cooking.

Seasoned Salmon for One

Serve with cooked, chopped spinach to which you’ve added low-fat sour cream, cooked instant brown rice, and a bit of butter.

Shrimp Scampi Pizza

A fun variation on traditional pizza toppings, with shrimp, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella.

Simple Salmon with Dill Sauce

Serve salmon hot or cold with dill sauce made by combining low-fat sour cream, cucumber, and fresh dill.

Southeastern Seasoned Catfish

Rub the fillets with spices, then broil for about eight minutes, turning once.

Desserts

A Fruity Way to End the Meal

Naval oranges, ripe strawberries, and sliced bananas are served with a yogurt-ginger sauce.

Brownie Kisses

Melted chocolate, chocolate chips, and nuts make a great combo for these cookies.

Carrot-Oatmeal Muffins

These muffins are perfect for breakfast or a snack. They get their crunch from chopped walnuts.

Cherry Swirl Pudding

Each serving contains about 145 calories, 8 g protein, 9 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 24 g carbohydrates, 4 g fiber, and 100 mg sodium.

Cherry Vanilla Frappe

You don't need ice cubes if you freeze the cherries before blending.

Dark Chocolate Chip Oat Bars

You don't have to tell anyone these are homemade, healthy granola bars. Just let your guests enjoy the chewiness of the oats and dense chocolate flavor from the highest-quality dark chocolate you can find.

Gingered Rice Pudding

Serve this with a bit of gingered whipped cream for a special dessert.

Lemon Meringue Kisses

Here's a sweet treat without the calories of sugar.

Lime-Mango Whip

Blend fresh mango, reduced-fat sour cream, and lime juice.

Peach Berry Crisp

Fresh peaches and blueberries are nestled under a topping flavored with ginger and lemon.

Peach Melba Smoothie for Two

Put peaches, yogurt, ice and all but six raspberries into blender and puree. Serve in tall glasses. Garnish with reserved berries. The smoothie will be thick enough to float them on top. Add fresh mint leaves if you have them.

Pumpkin-Cranberry Gift Loaves

A moist quick bread perfect for the holidays.

Quick Apple Crisp

Each serving contains about 134 calories, 1 g protein, 3 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 28 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, and 44 mg of sodium.

Red, White and Blue Berry Tarts

In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, vanilla, and confectioners' sugar with a whisk to make no-cook pastry cream. Put mixture on top of graham cracker crumbs. Top with berries.

Strawberry Cheesecake

Chill the cheesecake overnight, then top with fresh strawberries and a drizzle of melted raspberry jam.

Tasty Pumpkin Pie

The sugar-free crust needs to chill before rolling out.

Tiny Fruit Tarts

Wanton wrappers make these little desserts a snap to prepare.

Pork and Veal

Ginger Grilled Pork

Marinate pork tenderloin in a mixture of Dijon mustard, soy sauce, garlic and ginger.

New-Style Ham and Cheese

Pop these in the oven for seven to 10 minutes and serve with fresh fruit on skewers.

Pork Chops with Savory Apples

Apples, onions, and garlic are simmered with chops.

Pork Sauté with Vegetables

Serve this dish over angel hair pasta.

Shiitake with Veal

Serve with noodles. Spinach would be a good side dish.

Spicy Pork Skewers

Marinate the pork in a spicy tomato sauce, then thread on skewers and broil.

Poultry

Barbecued Chicken Pizza

Top a pizza crust with barbecued chicken, onions, and bell peppers.

Chicken in a Curry-Pistachio Crust

Cut the chicken into strips, dip in the egg-nut mixture, then bake. Serve with bottled chutney.

Chicken Salad Blues

Each serving contains about 175 calories, 15 g protein, 10 g fat (51 percent calories from fat), 46 mg cholesterol, 3.5 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, and 675 mg sodium.

Chicken Soup

Each serving contains about 257 calories, 24 g protein, 5 g fat (18 percent calories from fat), 63 mg cholesterol, 30 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, and 195 mg sodium.

Cornish Hens with Ginger Plum Stuffing

Each serving contains about 247 calories, 27 grams protein, 8 grams fat (30 percent calories from fat), 117 mg cholesterol, 14 grams carbohydrate, 6 grams fiber, and 321 mg sodium.

Fresh Mushroom Sauce

Pour over pasta or serve with grilled meat, chicken, or fish.

Honey-Herb Chicken

Each serving contains about 149 calories, 27 g protein, 1.5 g fat (9 percent calories from fat), 69 mg cholesterol, 5 g carbohydrates, less than 1 g fiber, and 79 mg sodium.

Lime Thyme Chicken

A whole chicken is roasted with Vidalia onions and plum tomatoes, seasoned with lime juice and thyme.

Zesty Grilled Chicken with Thyme

Each serving contains about 133 calories, 27 g protein, 2 g fat (14 percent calories from fat), 69 mg cholesterol, 1 g carbohydrates, less than 1 g fiber, and 110 mg sodium.

Sandwiches

Breakfast on the Run

Each serving contains about 137 calories, 10 g protein, 3 g fat (20 percent calories from fat), 11 mg cholesterol, 19 g carbohydrates, 2.5 g fiber, and 400 mg sodium.

Confetti Wraps

Before rolling, toss thin strips of the ham, turkey, and cheese with the veggies. It should look like confetti!

Eggplant Parmesan Sandwiches

Combine bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese in bowl. Dip eggplant slices in egg substitute, then coat generously with the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.

French Toast Sandwiches

Make the sandwiches first, then dip them in the egg-milk mixture and cook on a griddle until golden.

Greek Roasted-Vegetable Sandwich

Create four open-faced sandwiches by layering vegetables with a little feta cheese. Return to the oven to melt the cheese and toast the bread.

Lamb Pockets

Ground lamb joins roasted eggplant and feta cheese in these tasty pocket sandwiches.

New-Style Ham and Cheese

These bite-sized appetizers can be served with fresh fruit on skewers.

Soups and Salads

Beet-All Pasta Salad

Mix pasta, spinach, beets, onion and walnuts in a salad bowl. Combine maple syrup, vinegar and olive oil in a small jar and shake well. Pour over salad. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until you're ready to eat.

Black Bean Chili

Each serving contains about 333 calories, 20 g protein, 2 g fat (5 percent calories from fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 63 g carbohydrates, 15 g fiber, and 204 mg sodium.

Cantaloupe Soup

This is a picture-pretty first course for a summer meal. Make in advance and serve chilled.

Chicken Salad Blues

Each serving contains about 175 calories, 15 g protein, 10 g fat (51 percent calories from fat), 46 mg cholesterol, 3.5 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, and 675 mg sodium.

Chicken Soup

Each serving contains about 257 calories, 24 g protein, 5 g fat (18 percent calories from fat), 63 mg cholesterol, 30 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, and 195 mg sodium.

Cream of Broccoli Soup

A flavorful soup that's a snap to prepare.

Mediterranean Diced Salad

What a combo: chickpeas, red bell pepper, cucumber, celery, and grape tomatoes.

Multigrain Chicken Soup

Cook this soup for about an hour, or until the grains are tender.

New World Salmon Florentine

This casserole uses chunks of fresh salmon with lots of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. It also has real cheese for flavor.

New York Strip Steak Salad

A 3-ounce serving of the best steak possible is the centerpiece of this large salad. Cook the steak on an indoor, two-sided contact electric grill.

Orange-Walnut Salad

Layer the ingredients in a large salad bowl, then add the dressing and cheese just before serving.

Picnic Potato Salad

Flavored with fresh rosemary, this salad is perfect for a summer outing.

Roasted Winter Squash Soup

Each serving contains about 182 calories, 1 g protein, 6 g fat (30 percent calories from fat), 15 mg cholesterol, 27 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, and 10 mg sodium.

Tuna Salad in the Round

Make a main-meal salad lunch or light dinner for two with a can of tuna and a ring mold, such as a 4-1/2-inch diameter mini-spring-form pan or an empty can with the top and bottom cut out.

Vegetarian

All Red and Ready-to-Go Pizza

Put the flat bread spread with the toppings on a toaster oven tray and use the "top brown" setting. It's ready when the cheese bubbles, in three to five minutes.

Amish Potatoes with Lima Beans

Cubed potatoes are sautéed with onions and lima beans and seasoned with parsley and paprika.

Base for a Variation on Hummus

Keep this on hand for a quick meal, or prepare in batches to give as gifts.

Blender Bean Dip

Process the beans and spices in a blender, then refrigerate until ready to serve with baked corn chips or toasted whole-wheat pita triangles.

Blueberry Banana Smoothie

Bananas that are getting past ripe work perfectly in smoothies. Peel them, wrap them in plastic, and freeze them.

Carrot Oat Bran Muffins

Applesauce adds moistness without fat. A non-nutritive sweetener also cuts the calories.

Cheddar-Vegetable Surprise

Each serving contains about 202 calories, 10 g protein, 4 g fat (18 percent calories from fat), 4 mg cholesterol, 33 g carbohydrates, 4 g fiber, and 551 mg sodium.

Ciabatta Pizza

Ciabatta, the Italian flat bread popular in toasted sandwiches, makes a handy pizza base. You can reduce the carbs and calories slightly by pulling out some of the soft interior.

Classic Tomato Sauce

A 1/2-cup serving of the basic sauce contains approximately 71 calories, 3 g protein, 2 g fat, and 12 g carbohydrates.

Do-It-Yourself Minestrone Soup

In a large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and pot herbs.

Do-It-Yourself Trail Mix

Toss wheat cereal and cashews with raisins, dried blueberries, dried cranberries, or chopped dried apricots.

Florentine-Swiss Omelet for One

Two eggs, shredded spinach, and reduced-fat Swiss are perfect partners.

Fresh Cranberry Applesauce

Cook chopped apples and cranberries in the microwave for four minutes. Then stir in sugar or sweetener and mash with a fork to desired consistency.

Fresh Lemon Broccoli Pesto-Style Sauce

Put all ingredients in blender and blend for about 20 seconds. If mixture is too thick, add a little more vegetable broth. Serve hot or cold.

Fresh Mushroom Sauce

Pour over pasta or serve with grilled meat, chicken, or fish.

Fresh Tomato Sauce

Mix all ingredients and refrigerate until ready to use, or use immediately. To make the dipping sauce, put it in a blender and blend on high about 10 seconds.

Fruited Buckwheat Pancakes

Add chopped peaches after you have poured the pancakes on the griddle.

Garlic Walnut Sauce

This is a great sauce for meat, fish, fowl, or pasta. You can also use it as a spread for crackers or bread.

Garlic Whipped Potatoes

Boil potatoes with garlic, then mash with sour cream, and whip until smooth.

Go Swiss with Rosti

Rosti has been called the national dish of German-speaking Switzerland. Rosti is similar to hash browns and is usually topped with cheese.

Herb Roasted Potatoes

Roast new potatoes with fresh rosemary and a little olive oil.

Mediterranean Vegetable Strata

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes and let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Oriental Greens

After combining ingredients, cover and chill for two hours before serving.

Pineapple Smoothies

Just three ingredients: pineapple chunks, vanilla yogurt, and ice. Quick and yummy!

Pink Lemonade

Turn your lemonade pink with fresh, ripe strawberries.

Pitcher-Perfect Iced Tea

You can use regular, decaffeinated, or herbal tea. Let it steep for five to seven minutes.

Red Rosemary Vinegar

To prepare as a gift, strain the vinegar into pretty bottles. Add a fresh sprig of rosemary to each.

Roasted Asparagus

Roast for 15 to 20 minutes (depending on thickness of asparagus), shaking once to turn spears. Pour on balsamic vinegar and serve hot or at room temperature.

Roasted Vegetables

Roast carrots, turnips, squash, and garlic for about an hour, stirring once or twice.

Spicy Asian Veggie Pasta

Serve this dish hot, at room temperature, or chilled as a side dish—to grilled salmon, for instance.

Stacked Fruit Salad for One

Cover the salad loosely and refrigerate, unless you're ready to eat it at once.

Strawberry-Kiwi Spritzer

For a cool, summer drink, mash kiwi and strawberries and mix with plain seltzer and ice.

Summer Vegetable Curry

Serve with hot rice and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.

Tico Stuffed Peppers

Costa Ricans, who call themselves "Ticos," regularly eat rice with beans. This meal is generally lightly seasoned, which allows each diner to add condiments to individual taste.

Tofu Stir-Fry

You can make this dish in a wok or a large frying pan. If you're not feeling vegetarian, you can add shrimp.

Topped Potatoes

Sour cream or butter taste delicious on baked potatoes, but they come with a price: Both contain saturated fat and cholesterol. Here's a healthy, and tasty, alternative topping for your next baked potato.

Vegetable Dip Mix

These ingredients are in the right proportions for one batch of dip mix. For a gift jar, keep adding a round of all five ingredients until you have enough to fill the jar.

Vegetable Tart

Pre-bake the crust, then spoon in the filling and top with shredded cheese.

Vegetarian Chili

Textured vegetable protein makes this dish a hearty vegetarian meal.

Whole-Grain Party Mix

You can make a healthier party mix by using whole-grain cereals, olive oil instead of butter or margarine, and soy nuts or wasabi peas rather than the usual mixed nuts.