Healthy Side Dishes

In an attempt to adopt a healthier lifestyle, we have started to cook healthier meals at home and cook at home more often. The problem is not usually in the main dish. Instead it lays in the side dishes. I try to keep my portions under a certain number of calories based on what I have eaten previously that day but I can never seem to find any tasty side dishes that don't send the calorie and fat intake through the roof. Growing up, my family always had things like heaping mounds of mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese as our side dishes but since I am determined to lose weight, these had to change! I have done a little research and am posting my findings for healthier side dishes. Happy cooking! 


1. Sugar Snap Peas- These have recently become my favorite veggie! You can buy them frozen to save money. Simply saute them in a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil and Mrs. Dash lemon pepper seasoning, or toss them with some lean sirloin strips, broccoli, chopped carrots, onion, brown rice, and low-sodium soy sauce for a healthy stir-fry. 

2. Fresh Green Beans- Another favorite of mine and very low in calories. Take some fresh green beans and blanch them until they're tender-crisp. Drain the water. In the same pot, drizzle the green beans with olive oil and half a package of dry Italian dressing mix. Saute until coated and slightly browned. Its also tasty with dry ranch dressing mix instead of Italian. This is also a tasty way to cook asparagus!  

3. Steamed Broccoli- You can't go wrong with steamed broccoli! If you must put something on your broccoli, try adding a couple shakes of Mrs. Dash lemon pepper or grated Parmesan cheese. 

4. Grilled bell peppers and mushrooms- These are low in calories and the peppers are high in anti-oxidants. We skewer different colored bell peppers, mushrooms, and lean sirloin steak cubes. Brush the veggies with a little olive oil and sprinkle the skewers with lemon pepper, pepper, garlic pepper, or any other desired seasoning and grill. They're delicious and make a great summer dinner. If you cook extras the left overs make great fajitas you can take for lunch the next day. 

5. "Fried" Zucchini- I began making this copy cat "fried" zucchini after I found out how horrible the typical restaurant zucchini fries were. All you do is slice up some fresh zucchini fairly thin. Dip the slices in egg beaters, then coat them in a combination of bread crumbs, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. Place the slices on a cookie sheet and bake them at 375 degrees until golden brown. Serve with fat-free ranch dressing. You can also use squash too! I love serving this with turkey burgers instead of fries.  

6. Ore-Ida fries- These can be found in the freezer section of your grocery store and have only 120 calories per 3 ounce serving! I love french fries; they are my weakness! Pop these into the oven and they get golden and crispy without all the oil and fat. Toss them with some garlic salt and a little shredded Parmesan cheese for a tasty change of pace. If you much fry them, try using olive oil instead of traditional canola.