Skip to content
Are you looking for a way to sweeten up your diet while still staying on track with your healthy eating goals? Look no further than honey! This all-natural sweetener has been used for centuries for its health benefits and delicious flavor. In this blog post, we'll dive into the numerous benefits of adding honey to your diet and provide some easy-to-make recipes to help you incorporate it into your weekly meal planning.
First, let's talk about the health benefits of honey. Unlike processed sugar, honey is a natural sweetener that is rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and antibacterial properties. Honey is medicine. This means that adding honey to your diet can help boost your immune system, reduce inflammation in your body, and even improve your digestion. Additionally, studies have shown that consuming honey can help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, making it a heart-healthy choice.
Food is medicine
Making small changes to your lifestyle can have a big impact on your overall well-being. When we feel better, we are more likely to maintain healthy habits and make lasting changes.
One way to improve your health is to cook at home more often. Make a healthy meal for you and your family, or prepare ingredients for a quick and easy breakfast the next morning, like oatmeal recipes including overnight oats or prepped oatmeal.
Oats are a great way to start the day, especially in the winter. They are filling, satisfying, and can be enjoyed hot or cold. Plus, the natural sugars and healthy fats in oats can help refuel the body after a workout.
Healthy Recipes
These recipes are versatile and can be customized to your liking. Feel free to add or omit protein, such as chicken or shrimp, or alter the spices and vegetables to suit your taste. Prepping your meals in advance, like one or two nights a week, can help you stay on track with your healthy eating goals. Another helpful tip is to make a batch of soup or stew and freeze it for later. Defrost the frozen meal in the microwave or a small crockpot, and you'll have a homemade, warm dish to enjoy at work. Your colleagues will be envious of your delicious and healthy meal.
Healthy Eating for Winter Evenings
These Kale Chips are a healthy snack option to have on hand. They are packed with nutrients and will soon become a favorite. Trust me! These kale chips are a great choice if you're trying to reduce your calorie intake. They are a tasty, guilt-free snack that will help you stick to your healthy eating goals.
Soups, Stews, and Chili are filling and delicious
Our Sweet+Spicy Honey Chili is filled with an assortment of our favorite vegetables and beans and is flavored with beer and honey. Simply add your desired toppings and serve with a loaf of crusty bread for a delicious and well-balanced vegan meal.
Our Carrot Ginger Soup is so delicious it’s hard to believe how simple these healthy eats are. I find the most nourishing and delicious foods that require only a few ingredients and come together in less than an hour, including prep time.
This Lentil Soup recipe comes from our friend Joyce C. Wallace. You'll find it to be a hearty and satisfying meal that will brighten any dark evening and leave you feeling satisfied. We were able to make this recipe in less than an hour, and you can make it ahead of time and freeze for even faster prep!
Who knew you could make sweet potatoes into a delicious stew? This Sweet Potato Chili is smoky, sweet, and hearty enough to be piled over top of rice or mashed potatoes. Pair it with a green salad for a well rounded, plant-based meal any night of the week.
Healthy Sides, Slaws and Salads
Sweet potatoes are the "white hat" carbohydrate. The good one that gives you the right kind of energy. It's also good for balancing hormones. These healthy mashed sweet potatoes are comfort food for do-gooders.
Ever notice how lots of store-bought slaws have tons of sugar? Even in restaurants lately, I notice that everything from cucumber salad to coleslaw contains sugar. Well, here we offer up a process-sugar-free healthy slaw.
This Honey-Glazed Acorn Squash tastes so good that you may not realize how good it is for you. Acorn Squash is a powerhouse with one of the highest amounts of Vitamin A and polyphonic compounds. When you combine this veggie with the flavors of cinnamon and honey, you’ll be amazed that such flavor could come from a squash! One of our favorite healthy eats.
I first had a version of this kale salad at the Ranch at Live Oak. Chef Kurt Steeber made amazing vegan food, and this is our best version of his salad. You won't be disappointed with this recipe and you can add or take away anything to make it your own.
Try these easy pickled onions on top of the kale salad, or on any salad for that matter. You can make a batch of these and store them in a glass jar in the fridge for weeks. They add depth to any meal, and just taste special!
Thai Green Papaya Salad (also known as Som Tum) is very light and would make a perfect side to any stir fry. Adding grilled shrimp makes this salad a completely satisfying meal.
This amazing spinach and fruit salad is simply delicious. Salads can be made into a meal just by selecting all the right ingredients and pick a protein of your choice. One and done. we all like that!
These little Roasted Cherry Tomatoes pack a mean punch. I never would have guessed that these would change the complexion of an average salad, or add a new dimension to a plate of noodles, but they do!
If you are looking for inspiration, try this Fish Dish. Serve it with some deep dark leafy greens like sautéed rainbow swiss chard or kale to make it a complete meal. It took about 20 minutes end-to-end to make this recipe and you’ll love it.
Fresh from the fish-monger, this honey-glazed salmon is delicious. If you want to grill this salmon on a cedar plank, you need to plan ahead. We don't always have time to do that, but if you make the time, it's worth the effort.
This Thai Shrimp Stew recipe is sure to warm you up on a cold winter night. Thai cuisine is among the healthiest foods you can eat. Many of the fresh herbs and spices like turmeric, ginger, and lemongrass possess immune-boosting and disease-fighting properties. Then she adds kale to make it even better for you.
Visit our healthy dessert roundup in case you want just a couple of sweet options, here are a few.
For a guilt-free dessert, try this Chocolate Raspberry Chia Pudding. Packed with minerals, protein, fiber, and flavor, this is a sweet treat you won't regret. Need tips on baking with honey? We have you covered.
Surprise your family with this surprise chocolate pudding made with avocados. They will never know.
These macaroons are guilt-free! Made with mainly egg whites and coconut, this versatile treat can be modified to your liking. Enjoy them after dinner, or as an afternoon snack.
Skip the dairy with this dairy-free panna cotta recipe. I had fun watching this come together as panna cotta was not something I have ever made. My friend Joyce showed me how easy it is. I have an unstoppable sweet tooth and enjoy having dessert options that are light on guilt.
Honey is a natural and delicious way to sweeten up your diet while also improving your health. By incorporating it into your meals and snacks, you'll reap the benefits of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and antibacterial properties. Try out our easy-to-make recipes and experiment with adding honey to your favorite dishes. With this natural sweetener, you can indulge your sweet tooth while still staying on track with your healthy eating goals.
Eating a healthy diet isn’t as hard as we think. It’s a commitment, and ultimately, it’s a lifestyle decision. Sometimes it means making tough choices when dining out. We will continue to strive to bring you recipes in support of your healthy diet. If you make any of our healthy eats, share a photo with the hashtag #beeinspired on Instagram. We love seeing your photos!
