Every year when spring break rolls around, college students fly away to Florida or the Bahamas to get away for a week. Before break, many people try crazy diet trends and go to extreme lengths to "look their best" for vacation. This article is not going to be that. People shouldn't feel the need to starve themselves or go on a juice cleanse to feel beautiful and healthy. Just making a few simple changes in your diet and making more nutritious meals can help you have more energy and gain that healthy feel for break. And everyone knows, when you feel your best, you look your best too. Enjoy some of these delicious spring break "diet" recipes (without even going on a diet) to help yourself be as healthy as possible!
1. Chicken Fajita Bowl
This super healthy recipe has become a new favorite of mine. The chicken has a lot of great spices, so while it doesn't include a lot of ingredients, it doesn't lack in flavor. The recipe also includes a tasty lime cauliflower rice, and for my first time making cauliflower rice, it was pretty easy to make. However, I did find myself still hungry a bit later after eating this, so I'll switch out the cauliflower for real rice if I need something more filling. You could even add beans to fill this dish up with more protein.
2. Rosemary Chicken, Bacon, and Avocado Salad
Do you ever see those salads that are only made of lettuce and look completely unappetizing? Well, you don't need to worry about that with this dish. This salad not only has a ton of flavor, but it also has a lot of color to it! It's a perfect combination of proteins and fats that are both delicious and healthy. I mean, come on, who can say no to bacon? While most salads leave you hungry and wanting more, this salad is definitely able to satisfy your hunger.
3. Feel-Better Chicken and Rice Soup
Ever have a day where you either are feeling under the weather or just need something nice and hot to comfort you? A delicious chicken soup is the perfect remedy for any bad day. Who says comfort food has to be unhealthy? This chicken and rice soup has all the best parts of a meal in one, including carbs! Aren't carbs the best addition to any meal? And the best part is that you can eat your carbs and be healthy too. Whip up this soup, cuddle under some blankets, and feel the many benefits of this dish.
4. Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Zoodles
One of my favorite additions to any meal recently has been zucchini noodles, or "zoodles," and the combination of the garlic shrimp in this dish makes it even better. Zucchini noodles are a perfect healthy alternative to pasta and are just as tasty! I buy my zucchini noodles already cut and packaged, so I don't have to spend time making the noodles myself. Although this meal may look fancy, it doesn't take long to make, especially with the pre-made zoodles. The addition of the red pepper flakes in this dish give it a nice kick that's sure to make you forget that you're eating a healthy meal.
5. Chicken Parm Salad
Want something light and fresh but also filling and ready to energize you for the rest of the day? Then this is the perfect recipe to keep you satisfied and moving all day long. Using sour cream on the chicken keeps it moist, while the breadcrumbs give it more flavor. Adding potatoes to the dish makes it more filling and the baby spinach keeps it healthy, giving the benefits of iron and other vitamins. This recipe is just another example of a salad that won't disappoint you. Try this recipe out if you're bored of a regular Caesar salad
Cook up any of these nutritional, easy recipes to feel your healthiest for your spring break trip! While I don't love the word diet and the whole connotation behind it, I totally support the desire to eat clean and feel healthier. Eating healthy gives me a lot of confidence and genuinely helps make my body run better. I have also learned that being healthy does not mean that you need to sacrifice flavor. Most importantly, eating healthy should be more of a balanced experience. If you're starving and craving a burger, then eat it! Listen to your body and keep your own goals in mind. That's really the perfect way to feel your best for spring break and all the time.