Healthy Eating for Two

Healthy Dinner Recipes For 2: How to Eat Well Every Night of the Week

Cooking dinner for two may seem like too much trouble but with a little planning, you can enjoy healthy low calorie meals that you can cook quickly without waste.  If you're tired of eating leftovers, frozen dinners or takeout food, find healthy dinner recipes for 2 and follow these practical tips on finding healthy foods, planning menus, and shopping for one or two.

1. Plan ahead.

Many people decide what to make for dinner at the last minute.  This can lead to not-so-healthy meals.  Take time to prepare the week's menu and draw up a shopping list.  Grocery shopping will be easier, and you'll have everything you need when you're ready to cook.  A shopping list also helps you avoid impulse buys.

2. Find quick recipes online.

There are numerous websites where you can find healthy dinner recipes for 2 like My Budget Gourmet, AllRecipes, or The food Network.  Look for recipes that are easy to prepare and use ingredients that are affordable.  One-dish meals are more practical especially when cooking for two.  Your dishes should include items from different food groups such as meats, beans, whole grains and vegetables.  And if you make a casserole or a pasta make it for 4 but have lunch with it the next day.  This way you get 2 meals for the price of 1 if eating for 2.

Healthy dinner examples include chicken, vegetable and rice casserole; and beef, barley and vegetable stew.  Pork loin, Turkey, salmon,  and bok choy recipes  incorporates stir-fried lean pork, Turkey or pre baked salmon with bok choy, and Japanese soba noodles or whole-wheat spaghetti.  You can also prepare a vegetarian meal of tofu, whole-wheat egg noodles, and sautéed spinach or turnip green.

3. Stock your pantry.

Keep frequently used ingredients on hand such as dried beans, pasta, canned vegetables and fruits.  Canned fruits and vegetables provide key nutrients, often at a lower cost than fresh or frozen varieties.  They make a quick and healthy addition to meals.  Dried foods can keep for months and are easily portioned for one or two.  Canned foods will easily be ready for two and last for sometime.  Keeping canned stock or bullion on hand and canned vegetables will make an instant soup addition to any rice that could be prepared.

4. Cook extra batches and freeze single portions.

Cook a big batch of casserole or stew and freeze single or double portions for future dinners.  Remember to write the date and contents of the packages before placing them in the freezer.  Move older packages to the front when adding food to your freezer.

5. Use extras wisely.

Plan your weekly menu so that you can use extra food in new, healthy dinner recipes for 2.  Leftover roasted chicken from one meal can be used to make sandwiches, soups, or salads.  Cook extra rice for one meal, and use the remainder in rice pudding or casserole.  Prepare a meatloaf mixture and bake some for dinner.  Freeze the uncooked portion for future use in stuffed green bell peppers.

6. Shop for convenience.

You don't want to spend hours in the kitchen cooking dinner for two.  You can cut down on preparation and cooking time by planning ahead and keeping low-fat, reduced-sodium soups and stock, pre-packaged single-serving foods, pre-washed bagged salads, etc. on hand.  Stock up on these items when they are on sale.   If there is time available in your schedule a small garden can be grown in a child’s pool.  This will give fresh vegetables for canning or to have on hand.

There are literally thousands of delicious, healthy dinner recipes for 2 out there.  They're perfectly portioned just for two, so nothing goes to waste.  Don't be afraid to try something new.  Experiment with vegetarian dishes, soy-based foods, and “no-cook” meals like salads and cold pasta leftovers where adding a dressing and a tortilla save not only time and money.  Seasonal fresh produce can be combined with affordable protein alternatives to provide essential nutrients while stretching your food budget.