How to Make Healthy Meals Taste Good (7+ Tips)

You’ve made the commitment to start eating healthy, but soon after you run into a problem.

“These healthy foods don’t actually taste good |:” you say.

But good news! They actually can taste good if you prepare them the right way and add things to elevate their flavor, without over elevating the calories of course.

We love junk foods because they all have one thing in common, they taste good. So, in this post, I’ll outline some tips that can make your healthy meals taste good and even delicious! Whether you’re going for weight loss or just trying to eat healthier, there’s a tip for you.

Join me as I tackle healthy eating obstacles, one tip at a time.

1. It’s not “Healthy food” it’s just “Food”

This is the first step in your new journey. You have to stop thinking about it as ‘healthy foods’, it’s healthy, YES, we know that already.

But if you’re really making a lifestyle change towards healthier eating, these healthy foods are your new normal foods, and your normal foods should taste good.

Here is an actionable tip:

Change your mindset from the ‘diet mentality’.

We sometimes associate eating healthy with being on a diet, but this way of thinking is what makes us quit.

Tell yourself “Nothing has changed, I’m just being a lot more cautious with food”.

2. Roast (Nearly) Everything

You’d be surprised how simply changing the method you use to prepare foods can suddenly make them more appetizing.

That boring tomato and carrot can be transformed into a crispy delight by simple roasting.

You’re eating healthy now which means you want to reduce fried foods as much as you can; This includes meats and root vegetables.

Here are some veggies you can roast:

• Potatoes & Sweet potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Bell peppers
• Cauliflower & Broccoli
• Mushrooms

3. Add lots of herbs and spices

Herbs and spices are a gift to healthy eaters because of how they transform any bland meal into something worth rubbing your tummy over.

Think about it, why do foods at restaurants taste way better than your home-cooked foods? It’s the spices, my friends.

Fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley, as well as spices like garlic, ginger, and turmeric, can add immense flavor to dishes without extra calories.

Stock up your spice cabinet and experiment with different combinations to discover your favorites.

4. Healthy fats are your friend

In a normal word, ‘Fats’ and ‘Healthy’ aren’t two words that should be in any way positively related to each other.

And yes, most of them aren’t, but there are some healthy sources of fats out there that add richness and depth of flavor to your meals.

• Avocados
• Olive oil
• Nuts

So don’t be afraid to add them to your salads and meals. They’re still high in calories so go gentle.

5. Use lemon for a citrus-cy burst

Sometimes you bite into a food, and you just feel like something’s missing, you may be surprised that your food just needs a bit of zestiness.

Over time, we’ve been programmed to reach for sauces to top off every meal, sure, they taste good, but they’re usually high in calories, sugar, and unhealthy fats.

Something as simple as lemon juice that’s low in calories and packed with nutrients may be what you need.

Squeeze fresh lemon or lime juice over salads, grilled vegetables, or fish to brighten the flavors.

6. Add healthy sauces and toppings

We’re ticking off every excuse here for not wanting to eat healthy and there’s a way around every problem.

If you feel like you still want more flavor, or you just love sauces that much, then there are a variety of healthy low-calorie sauces out there like:

• Salsa
• Low-sugar ketchup
• Hot sauce
• Sweet chili sauce
• Sour cream
• Greek yogurt

Trust me, adding these sauces and toppings will elevate the tastiness of any meal. You can also make your sauces, with some research, you’ll realize that they’re actually not that hard to make.

7. Don’t remove sugar & salt (Entirely)

Salt and sugar are the two highly rated enemies in the health world. Yes, too many of them aren’t good, but we like them regardless because they just make food taste better.

They bolden the flavors of other ingredients in meals, so it would be somewhat extreme to cut them off.

Healthy doesn’t equal zero sugar or salt, feel free to add a dash of sugar to teas and desserts, or add a sprinkle of salt to your meals to elevate other flavors.

8. Try flavor varieties

Combine sweet and spicy flavors for a taste explosion. We naturally like a combination of things that offer different or opposing flavors.

For example, try a mango salsa with a touch of jalapeño, or honey and sriracha glaze on grilled chicken.

9. Experiment with texture varieties

Extending on the previous point, combining different textures in a dish, such as crunchy, creamy, and tender, can make healthy foods more enjoyable.

10. Fresh fruits for fun

Add fresh fruits to salads, smoothies, and savory dishes. Apples, pears, and berries can add sweetness, color, and a refreshing contrast.

Final words

There you have it! We’ve explored some of the best ways to make healthy foods taste good.

Making your healthy meals taste delicious is very achievable with a few simple tricks. From shifting your mindset from “healthy” to “normal,” to roasting veggies for a crispy twist, and embracing herbs and spices, you can elevate your healthy meals and savor every bite!