Enjoying healthy meals for dinner is not only a great way to end a day of work or recreation, it is also a wonderful way to help keep your metabolism running smoothly and even help you lose those extra pounds. If you’ve found yourself running to the freezer aisle in search of processed food high in sodium, fat and other unhealthy ingredients that seems comforting when you eat it and induces pangs of guilt and heartburn later, then it’s understandable that you’re looking for better choices. Here are three suggestions for healthy meals for dinner that are both delicious and simple to prepare.

Chicken and Roasted Vegetables

Most of the work involved in this meal is preparation. Begin by setting your oven for 375 degrees. You’ll be using the center rack, so be sure there is adequate space overhead. Roasting time will be determined by the size and amount of chicken you are preparing.

Lightly grease a pair of roasting pans with extra virgin olive oil. Prepare your vegetables first:

Choose a few favorite vegetables, such as red potatoes, zucchini, and bell peppers. Alternately, try some winter squash. Cut these into big chunks, use a little salt and pepper and your favorite spices, and toss them around in the roaster to coat them.

Next, get your chicken ready. If you want to roast a whole chicken, it will take longer than if you roast chicken breasts or a cut-up chicken. If you’re going with boneless, skinless breast pieces, be sure to cover your pan with foil and add a little bit of water or broth to the pan so they retain their moisture.

You can adjust this recipe to include your favorite seasonal vegetables, and you can make any amount you like. Make extra for tomorrow’s lunch. You can add a salad or whip up some green vegetables on the stovetop once the roasting has been completed.

Salmon and Salad

This is a super fast meal that can be thrown together in the blink of an eye.

Set your oven’s broiler on low, and use the middle rack. Use a dab of olive oil to coat a baking sheet, and sprinkle the sheet with a little salt and pepper before you put the salmon on it. Put a dash of olive oil on top of the salmon to help it retain its moisture and to add a little more heart-healthy fat, then sprinkle some balsamic vinegar on top. Next, use a little salt and your favorite spices to season the fish, and pop it in the oven. If it is thawed, it will take about 10 minutes to cook, depending on its thickness. If it is frozen, it will take just a little longer.

While the fish is under the broiler, assemble your salad. Serve it up, and enjoy a healthy, quick dinner.

Crock Pot Favorites

The crock pot is one of the best inventions ever. You simply put your ingredients in before you leave for the day, and when you come home, dinner is ready. Use lean meats and a variety of your favorite vegetables to create healthy meals for dinner without making too much of an effort, or create vegetarian dishes with rice and legumes, plus veggies. You can even use crock pot liners to make cleanup easier. Don’t forget to season your foods – different spices can give the same basic ingredients a variety of flavors so that you can enjoy a variety of tastes without spending hours shopping. Add a fresh green salad and you’ve got dinner in about 10 minutes of prep time. There are plenty of great crock pot recipe books available, and you can easily change recipes to suit your needs and fit into your healthy eating plan.

These are only a few suggestions for healthy meals for dinner. Remember, choose organics as much as possible, and select wild-caught fish and humanely raised meats. Not only will your dinner be good for you and great for your waistline, it will be something you can feel good about serving. Got 10 minutes? Go make dinner!