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.

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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 is the best thing to eat for dinner to lose weight? ›

Incorporate Lean Proteins

According to a 2018 study published in Nutrition, adding fiber and lean protein to your diet can help reduce your weight. When choosing protein foods, look for leaner ones such as chicken breast, lean beef, fish, dairy products, eggs, tofu or legumes.

What is the biggest meal for weight loss? ›

Most people are brought up thinking that dinner should be the biggest meal of the day, meaning they opt for a light breakfast and lunch. However, research has found that a smaller dinner and larger lunch could be the key to helping you shift those weight.

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 drinks burn fat in winter? ›

COSY AND WARM DRINKS THAT CAN HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT IN WINTER
  • Green Tea With Lemon: Begin your day with a cup of green tea infused with a splash of lemon. ...
  • Jeera Water: Jeera or cumin seeds are extremely beneficial for weight loss.
Jan 26, 2024

How can I get slim in winter? ›

Here are some tips for weight loss in winter:
  1. Consume High Water Content Foods. Water adds the required body weight without adding calories. ...
  2. Eat Heavy Breakfast. ...
  3. Increase Protein. ...
  4. Say No to Packaged Food. ...
  5. Reward Yourself. ...
  6. Savor Sweets That Slim. ...
  7. Maintain a Food Diary. ...
  8. Sleep Well.

What can I eat to lose 20 pounds in a month? ›

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean meats are all low-calorie dense foods that will help you lose weight. Fruits and veggies are mostly water-based and contain very few calories and very little fat--on the other hand, 1 g of fat is nine calories in itself.

What can I eat everyday to lose 10 pounds? ›

Focus on lean protein, fruits, and vegetables.

Making your plate half protein and half fruits and vegetables is a good plan for quick weight loss. These foods are low in calories and high in essential nutrients. In addition, they will keep you feeling satisfied longer compared to carbohydrate based foods.

What is the number 1 best food for weight loss? ›

What are the best foods for weight loss?
  • Fish.
  • Lean proteins.
  • Fruits and vegetables.
  • Avocados.
  • Oatmeal.
  • Pulses.
  • Nuts.
  • Choosing foods for weight loss.

Which meal should I skip to lose weight? ›

In the case of Intermittent fasting, skipping your dinner is better and easier. You can have your dinner either early or have a heavy snack and can begin your fasting. Research suggests that fasting in the evening and overnight, then eating early in the morning is the better way to follow this diet to lose weight.

How long before bed should you stop eating to lose weight? ›

There's no set time you should stop eating to lose belly fat, but, as a guideline, you should avoid eating two to three hours before bed to stop it from disrupting your sleep and body clocks, which can cause belly fat gain. Studies show early dinners can help people lose weight.

Which pasta is good for weight loss? ›

Nowadays, a number of pasta varieties are available in the market, that you can easily incorporate into your weight loss diet. Pasta variants like Buckwheat Pasta, Whole Wheat Pasta, Chickpea Pasta, Rajma Pasta, Lentil Pasta and Makhana Pasta are ideal options.

Can you lose weight faster in winter? ›

In one study, volunteers who wore a cold suit that reduced their temperature burned an extra 250 calories in a 3-hour period [5]. So, winter is actually a great time to lose weight if we stay active and follow a healthy diet.

What should I eat in winter for a health diet? ›

The most warming vegetables that are good for your body are root vegetables like carrot, potato, onions, garlic, radish, yams, sweet potatoes, beets, turnips, etc, and hearty winter greens like palak, methi, sarson, muli, pudina, etc.

How can I burn more calories in winter? ›

1. Outdoor Activities: Embrace the winter wonderland by engaging in outdoor activities like skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, or simply taking brisk walks. These activities keep you active in the cold and encourage additional calorie expenditure.

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