Adding Health to Your Comfort Food Classics
Healthy eating can be simple, flavorful and affordable. The following videos demonstrate how to enjoy the foods you love with smart swaps, nutrient-rich ingredients and balanced portions.
Chicken, Rice and Beans
Add ¼ cup cooked rice to your plate. Choose brown rice if you want more fiber and longer-lasting energy.
Spoon on ½ cup beans (or more, if desired). Rinse canned beans before cooking to lower sodium.
Add 3-4 ounces of baked or air-fried chicken to your plate. We seasoned ours with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika and oregano.
Aim for a 1/2 plate of vegetables. Here we’ve layered chopped cabbage, steamed nopales and pico de gallo. We topped with about ⅓ of an avocado for healthy fats. Mix in other vegetables you enjoy for added nutrients and color.
Chicken, Greens and Sides
Add ½ plate of greens to your plate. Collard, mustard or turnip greens are all good choices of Calcium and Vitamin K.
Add ½ cup of yams for Fiber and Potassium. You can steam, bake, boil or air fry yams.
Add 3-4 ounces of baked or air-fried chicken to your plate. We seasoned ours with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika and oregano.
Add 1/4 cup of mac & cheese.
Chicken, Rice and Beans
Here, we show how to enjoy classic comfort food flavors while creating a more balanced, nutrient rich plate. This recipe shows how easy it is to enjoy a family favorite with a few adjustments.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
- ¼ cup cooked white rice
- Optional swap: ¼ cup brown rice for more fiber
- ½ cup cooked beans (any variety)
- 3–4 oz chicken breast, baked or air-fried
- Seasonings:
- Salt & pepper
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Dried oregano
- (Or use flavorings that match your culture and taste)
- ½–1 cup chopped cabbage
- ¼–½ cup pico de gallo
- ½ cup steamed nopales
- ⅓ avocado
Optional Add-Ins
- any colorful vegetables you enjoy
Let’s keep the same flavors we love but add more nutrition to the plate for a healthier, balanced meal. A great tip is always to fill half of your plate with vegetables – here, we’re adding shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, steamed nopales and avocado. We’ll also add rice, a gluten-free carb that gives you a nice boost of energy. Fiber-rich beans help you feel full, plus they are a great source of protein and help regulate your blood sugar. Finally, baked or air-fried chicken seasoned with your favorite spices delivers high-quality protein with less fat.
Instructions
- Prepare the Rice:
Add ¼ cup cooked rice to your plate. Choose brown rice if you want more fiber and longer-lasting energy. - Add the Beans:
Spoon on ½ cup beans (or more, if desired). Rinse canned beans before cooking to lower sodium. - Cook the Chicken:
Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika and oregano. Bake or air fry until fully cooked (internal temp 165°F). Then add 3–4 ounces to your plate. - Build the Vegetable Half of Your Plate
Layer chopped cabbage on half of your plate. Add steamed nopales and spoon pico de gallo on top for freshness. Lastly add about ⅓ of an avocado for healthy fats. Mix in other vegetables you enjoy for added nutrients and color.
Chicken, Greens and Sides
This recipe shows how to enjoy classic comfort food flavors while creating a more balanced, nutrient rich plate. By focusing on generous servings of vegetables, lean protein and mindful portions of favorite comfort foods, you can enjoy the dishes you love in a way that supports your health.
Ingredients
1–2 cups cooked greens
Options: collard greens, mustard greens, or turnip greens
½ cup yams (steamed, baked, boiled, or air fried; no added sugar, salt, or fats)
¼ cup macaroni and cheese (optional carb choice)
3 oz baked or air fried chicken
Salt & pepper
Garlic powder
Smoked paprika
Dried oregano
Instructions
- Build the Vegetable Base
Fill half your plate with cooked greens such as collards, mustard greens or turnip greens. - Add Your Healthy Carbs
Add ½ cup of cooked yams. Prepare by steaming, baking, boiling or air frying. Avoid adding butter, sugar or excess salt. Include ¼ cup of macaroni and cheese to your plate. - Add Lean Protein
Place 3 ounces of baked or airfried chicken on your plate. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and oregano.
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