Readers will agree that finding satisfying, filling and healthy meals is not easy. High fat content meals, consisting of meat pies, pastries and chips etc are extremely filling, however these unfortunately add to the ever thickening waistline. Healthy does not often equate fullness; half a packet of biscuits is far more satisfying than an apple. My diet has had to radically change over the past year, with the intention of losing over a stone, so to have a gorgeous figure for my wedding. This is a high incentive for most women and this is no exception for me.

In regards to breakfast meals; cereals high in sugar and bacon butties have been replaced with either porridge oats or muesli, topped with a variety of fresh fruit. This is a tasty, healthy breakfast, bursting with fibre and healthy fat, which satisfies and provides energy until lunchtime.

An average lunch is a sandwich, crisps and chocolate, however these quick lunches have been replaced with a plate of mixed fibre, healthy fat and protein. A plate of healthy nibbles is surprisingly filling, including fruit and vegetables of personal choice. For example:

-Sliced raw pepper

-Cucumber

-Apple

-Grated or chopped carrot and cheese

-Selection of nuts

-Slice of meat

-Piece of brown bread

-Glass of fresh orange

This is a balanced tasty meal, and satisfying, for the act of constant motion of chewing raw vegetables and fruit tricks the body into believing that it has consumed more than it has. It may sound strange but it is true in my experience.

A main meal usually has a basis of a staple; either rice, pasta, spaghetti or a form of potato. One healthy option is baked potato, with a variety of different toppings or side salads. A tuna and sweet corn mix with low fat mayonnaise is a popular favourite topping for potato, which is a healthy option, as is baked beans and cheese. It is important to maintain a balance in your choices.

Two favourite side salads accompanying either baked potato or a piece of fresh salmon and tuna:

Waldolf salad:

-Chopped celery, apples, walnuts

-Pieces of a satsuma

-Mayonnaise to mix to taste on a bed of lettuce

The amount and overall choice of ingredients depends on personal taste. Caesar salad is another popular side dish. This can be a healthy, filling option, primarily consisting of chicken on a bed of lettuce and salad dressing. Ingredients for the salad dressing include:

-Grated Parmesan cheese

-Two eggs

-Lemon juice

-Sunflower oil

-Clove of garlic

-Salt, pepper, dry mustard

-Worcestershire sauce and anchovy paste.

These blended ingredients of the salad dressing may make the dish to appear a fattening meal. However if tomatoes, celery and cucumber are added, and it follows a light lunch of fruit, then it is a balanced, filling meal.

An alternative tasty, healthy yet filling meal is stir fry vegetables on a bed of rice or noodles. The vegetables can be catered to personal choice, and simply chopped and fried with sunflower oil. This can remain a vegetarian dish or chicken, or seafood can be added to the vegetable mix, and is truly a lovely, easy and quick meal to make and enjoy.

Learn more about this author, Hannah Curtis.
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