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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, one of the healthy ingredients that can sweeten up your diet! 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.
This Black Bean Burger is one of our favorite recipes
Honey Health Benefits
First, let’s talk about the health benefits of honey. Raw honey, in particular, is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, providing additional health benefits. 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.
Blueberry Honey tastes great mixed in and drizzled on top of oatmeal
Healthy Recipes with Honey
These recipes are versatile and can be customized to your liking. With just the right amount of honey, The natural sweetness contributes significantly to the flavor profile of various recipes, enhancing them with its sweet and floral notes. Feel free to add or omit protein, such as chicken or shrimp, or alter the spices and vegetables to suit your taste. For our adventurous chefs out there, try incorporating raw honeycomb straight from the hive for texture, flavor and health benefits. 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.
Snacks, Sides, and Toppers
Kale Chips
Having healthy snacks with honey on hand makes healthy living easier. These Kale Chips are packed with nutrients and will soon become your favorite. Trust me! These kale chips are a great choice if you are trying to reduce your calorie intake. They are a tasty, guilt-free snack that will help you stick to your healthy eating goals.
Healthy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are the “white hat” carbohydrate. The good one that gives you the right kind of energy. They are also good for balancing hormones. These Healthy Mashed Sweet Potatoes, with their appealing golden color, are a comfort food for do-gooders!
Healthy Slaw
Ever notice how lots of store-bought slaws have tons of sugar? Even in restaurants lately, I've noticed that everything from cucumber salad to coleslaw contains sugar. Here, we offer up a process-sugar-free Healthy Slaw.
Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
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!
Delicious Salads
Roasted Squash Salad
This Roasted Squash Salad tastes so good that you won't even realize how healthy 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 cinnamon and honey, you'll be amazed that such flavor could come from squash!
Spinach Fruit Salad
This amazing Spinach Fruit Salad is simply delicious. Enhance the dressing with orange juice to provide a sweet-citrus flavor that complements the natural freshness of the fruit. Make the dressing with Mixed Berry Honey to keep up with the fruity theme. This recipe is fun to play with, and super difficult to mess up!
Green Papaya Salad
This Green Papaya Salad recipe, also known as Som Tum, is very light and would make a perfect side to any stir fry. Adding grilled shrimp on top makes this salad a completely satisfying meal.
Kale Salad
I first had a version of this Kale Salad with Chickpeas 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.
Healthy Soups
Carrot Ginger Soup
Our Carrot Ginger Soup is so delicious that it's hard to believe how simple this healthy eat is. 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!
Lentil Soup
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 up 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! For optimal freshness, store any leftovers in an airtight container.
Sweet Potato Chili
Who knew you could make sweet potatoes into a delicious stew? This Sweet Potato Chili recipe 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.
Thai Shrimp Stew
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.
Filling Main Dishes
Honey-Glazed Salmon
Fresh from the fishmonger, this Honey-Glazed Salmon recipe is delicious. To ensure the salmon absorbs all the flavors of the sweet-and-salty marinade, it is important to marinate it thoroughly. If you want to grill this salmon on a cedar plank, you may need to plan ahead. We don’t always have time to do that, but if you are able to make the time, it is worth the effort!
Feta Turkey Burger
Satisfy your cravings the right way with a delicious Feta Turkey Burger. This recipe turns a greasy, classic dish into a healthy, and equally delicious dish for all burger lovers to enjoy! You can add any toppings of your choosing, plus a healthy side to go with. Feel free to use a whole wheat flour bun to top it off.
Chicken with Sautéed Mushrooms
The perfect dish for any weeknight. Chicken with Sautéed Mushrooms is quick and easy to make, while tasting like it took hours. Packed with protein and vitamins, this chicken is a go-to!
Grilled Honey Chicken Kebabs
Want a hearty, light meal? This recipe is for you! These delicious Grilled Honey Chicken Kebabs remind me of summer, which is something I will take all year round. Honey is not only perfect for sweet treats but also enhances the flavor profile of various savory dishes, making it a versatile ingredient in marinades, glazes, and dressings.
Guilt-Free Treats
Chocolate Chia Pudding
Packed with healthy ingredients like minerals, protein, and fiber, this is a sweet you won’t regret. Make this Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding in a mixing bowl and serve! Add fresh fruits, such as raspberries, to make it even more delicious.
Surprise Chocolate Pudding
Surprise your loved ones with Healthy Chocolate Pudding, made with avocado! We suggest not revealing the special secret until everyone is finished for the best reactions. They won't believe it!
Coconut Macaroons
Made with mainly egg whites and coconut, this versatile treat can be modified to your liking. Enjoy Coconut Macaroons after dinner or as an afternoon snack. You'll feel fancy eating them no matter the time of day! Just be sure to let them cool completely before diving in.
Dairy-Free Panna Cotta
Skip the dairy with this 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!
Leftovers
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. If you have leftovers, wrap them in plastic wrap before storing to maintain freshness.
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!
