1. Replace full-fat cheese with cottage cheese: Some cheeses are filled with saturated fats and calories. To make your casserole better for your health, use cottage cheese in place of regular cheese. Cottage cheese is low in calories and fat, and it’s loaded with calcium, protein and numerous vitamins and minerals.

2. Use chicken: Chicken is a lot healthier than beef because it’s low in fat, has less calories and is loaded with protein. Substituting white meat for red in your dish will make it healthier.

3. Use whole grains: Instead of using regular bread crumbs, use whole grain crumbs in your dish. This simple swap will cut a drastic amount of calories and up the nutritional count. Plus, it will make the dish high in fiber.

Making casseroles healthy is actually quite simple, and with these simple tips, you won’t have to compromise on flavor or health.
Keep looking, there’s more: Healthy Lasagna Casserole Recipe

Here’s to a Healthy Chowder
Chowders don’t aren’t always prepared with clams. Whether the family prefers white or red chowders, it’s the ingredients that a hearty chowder that “rib sticking” warmth and comfort. Make a wonderful chicken corn chowder with carrots, mushrooms, parsley, diced pimento and sun-dried tomato.Is this new to you? Catch up here Soups and chowders begin with a basic stock like chicken or beef. For a white chowder, use either soft tofu or yogurt to thicken the stock. For red chowder, add teaspoon of tomato paste to the stock.

Got the Blues For Healthy Stews?
The rush of cold air is a reminder that thick, healthy stews cure the winter blahs. Make stews interesting by creating them from winter vegetables like roasted turnips or parsnips. Add kale, spinach or cabbage for color. Rice, barley and lentils give stews body. Lentil stew with green pepper, tomatoes and mushrooms is healthy and hearty.

1. One pound of lean (90 or up) ground beef
2. 10 organic tortillas or all-natural taco shells
3. Two cups shredded reduced-fat Mexican four-cheese blend
4. Two cups of your salsa preference
5. One 16-ounce can of black beans
6. One teaspoon chili powder
7. One teaspoon garlic powder

Optional toppings: peeled and shredded carrots, diced avocado, diced tomato, shredded lettuce, low-fat sour cream

Once you’ve gathered everything, heat the oven to 350F and place a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat on your stove. Add the beef (and shredded carrots if you have) to the skillet. Break up the meat and cook until it is no longer pink. It usually takes about five minutes. Don’t forget to drain the fat.

While the beef is cooking, stick the taco shells in the oven and bake per the directions on the package. When the meat is done, mix in the beans, shredded cheese, salsa, chili powder and garlic powder. Cook this mixture for two more minutes until the meat is melted.

And then, presto! Serve the meat in the taco shells/tortillas with any additional toppings.

The first thing you will need is a wad of frozen dough which you will need to knead considerably before spreading it across the pan. Since most of the unhealthy aspects of pizza come from sauces packed full of preservatives we are going to skip that in favor of something a little more organic. You are also going to want to stick to cheeses with no trans fats and any vegetables you top should be farm fresh and cleaned. Since most of the time spent making a pizza involves putting on the topping you and your family can have some fun with this one. Be creative. Then put it in the oven and let it cook. Typically, depending on the size, you want to give your pizza at least 30 minutes to cook but you shouldn’t leave it unattended.

Whole grain oatmeal is low in calories, sugar and fat. The oatmeal also provides a daily grain serving. Instead of sugar, use fresh fruit to cover its ordinary bland taste. Bananas, berries and raisins provide the richest flavors. Oatmeal is not limited to just a breakfast food. Placing the oatmeal, yogurt and bananas in the crockpot and cooking it on low provides a quick healthy snack at any time.

For those on the go, keep banana bran muffins on hand. It requires no preparation and you can grab it as you rush out the door. The one muffin supplies the body with fruit and fiber. Getting a muffin with nuts gives the body a serving of protein and iron.The information doesn’t stop now. Keep looking: 5 “Healthy” Foods That Cause Weight Gain

When making this change, you will find that is very easy to use whole grain pasta in any dish that you would normally use white flour pasta in. Spaghetti, pasta salad, lasagna and more all taste great when whole wheat pasta is used. Whole wheat varieties have a taste all their own, and are quite delicious.

Trying to get children to make this switch may be tough, as children tend to not be very open to change in regard to their eating habits. The sooner you make the switch, the easier it will be. Young children that are raised with healthy eating habits tend to keep these habits throughout life.

The next time you are planning to make a dish that calls for pasta, do not overlook the whole grain versions. This is a simple and easy change that can provide plenty of health benefits to your family.

Ground turkey and chicken can be used in any recipe where you normally use beef, but are particular good in dishes that combine strong flavors such as Mexican or Italian. Green peppers, onions and tomatoes can all be added to meat as it cooks and the meat will absorb the flavor of these vegetables. Adding more vegetables to sauces is also a great way to get more of these vitamin packed foods into your familys diet. Because chicken and turkey have mild tastes, they will take on the flavors of spices and vegetables that are cooked with them. Your family may discover that they love eating turkey and chicken because the flavors can be so amazing and different with the addition of new spices. Have fun experimenting with using these two protein sources in all of your dishes you currently use beef. You may find some great new flavor combinations.