Meals for People on Low-Fat Diets

Preparing low-fat meals is not nearly as challenging as one might think. There are many low fat protein foods available as well as an abundance of tasty recipes. Most dairy products including cottage cheese, milk and yogurt come in low-fat and non-fat versions. Opting for vegetarian dinners a few nights out of the week will help cut out quite a bit of fat in your diet. Appetizing additions to all meals, herbs, spices and condiments are generally fat free. Make sure to read all labels on food for fat content.

Low-fat breakfast

• Creating a low-fat breakfast is very easy. When cooking eggs use only the fat free egg whites. Scramble the eggs with any vegetables and some parmesan cheese in your non-stick pan. Include some whole grain toast with non-sweetened jam. All hot cereals are low-fat, and they can be enhanced with brown sugar, honey and fresh fruit. If your preference is cold cereal, be sure to check the labels for fat content. Add skim milk to your coffee instead of cream.

Low Fat lunch

• Sandwiches of water packed tuna, turkey, or chicken breast are great lunch options. Use mustard or low-fat mayonnaise to flavor your sandwich. All salads with vegetables are excellent choices for low fat meals; make your own dressing with vinegar and 1-tsp of olive oil and lots of spices. You can add a 1/2-cup of chopped chicken, shrimp or turkey and low fat cheese to add protein to your salad. An easy and quick lunch is a scoop of low-fat cottage cheese and fruit or vegetables. Making vegetable or bean soups ahead of time and then freezing them, makes a healthy and filling meal for later.

Low-Fat Dinner

• Slice chicken breasts in strips for a stir fry meal with an assortment of vegetables of your choice. Make sure to use olive oil spray on a non-stick pan before adding stir fry veggies. Lentil soup with onions, tomatoes and carrots is a great low-fat vegetarian alternative meal. Broiled fish with seasonings of your choice, along with baked potato covered in salsa makes another tasty and healthy dinner. Add a tossed salad seasoned with balsamic vinegar. Fresh fruit with a topping of low-fat yogurt will be a sweet touch at the end of dinner.

Low Fat snacks

• Snack time comes at least once a day. We all have our hungry times where we crave something to eat. Tomato juice with a celery stick and green olives, a handful of small carrots, apple slices, a smoothie made with non-fat yogurt, or fresh fruit will hold you over until dinner easily. If you love a crunchy snack, enjoy some baked corn chips with salsa.