Have trouble deciding what to make for dinner after a long day at work? We hear from a lot of people who want to eat healthy but struggle with meal ideas that will satiate them and satisfy their taste buds – all while keeping the numbers on the scale dropping. Here are several examples of easy dinners that are healthy, satisfying and pack all the nutrients you need to look and feel your best, with room for a healthy dessert!

Apricot-Glazed Pork Tenderloin – 490 calories per plate
Serves 4

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Season 1 lb of pork tenderloin with salt and pepper and sauté in 1 tsp of olive oil over med-high heat until lightly browned on each side about 3 minutes. Top tenderloin with ¼ cup apricot preserves and bake until cooked throughout, about 30 minutes.

Chop two apples into thin slices and add to baking sheet with the tenderloin for the last 15 minutes. For the sides, steam 2 cups cauliflower and 2 cups broccoli until wilted but crunchy, and cook 2 cups of quinoa.

Prep each plate with 4 oz of pork, placed over ½ cup of quinoa, with 1 cup broccoli/cauliflower mix. Top each serving of pork with several apple slices.

Spicy Salmon with Brown Rice – 505 calories per plate
Serves 4

Rub 4- 4oz salmon fillets with 1 tsp each of Chinese five-spice powder and salt and pepper. Bake at 350 degrees until cooked throughout, about 15-20 minutes. Stir-fry 4 cups of broccoli with 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tsp chopped garlic and ginger. Cook 2 cups of brown rice. Serve each fillet over ½ cup brown rice and 1 cup of broccoli.

Southwestern Turkey Burger – 465 calories per plate
Serves 4

Mix together ½ cup of corn with 1 cup diced tomato, 4 tbsp chopped cilantro, 1 tbsp lime juice and 1/2 tsp salt, set aside. Lightly coat frying pan with olive oil; heat on high. Mix 1 lb extra-lean turkey meat, ½ chopped red bell pepper, 1/2 tsp of the salt and hot sauce in a bowl. Form into four 4-inch patties. Set aside. Pan fry or grill burgers for about 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through, until cooked through the center. Place each on one whole-wheat bun and top with salsa. Serve with green salad.

Chili-Beef Skewers – 455 calories per plate
Serves 4

Puree ½ cup cilantro, 4 cloves garlic, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp orange zest, 1 tsp sriracha, 1 tsp fish sauce and 1 tsp brown sugar in a food processor, set aside. Prep 1 lb lean beef sirloin by cutting into 1/8-inch strips. Transfer marinade to a plastic bag, toss with beef strips and marinade for 30 minutes. Cut 1 each red, green and yellow bell peppers into 2.5 inch strips. Weave 4 pepper pieces and 2 beef strips onto each skewer, alternating beef and peppers. Grill on high heat until meat is no longer pink, about 3-4 minutes. Serve with sweet-chili dipping sauce and a side of 1 cup brown rice or quinoa.

Low Calorie Desserts
One serving each:

Strawberries with whipped cream – 150 calories
Top 8 fresh, sliced strawberries with one heaping dollop (2 tbs) of whipped cream and 2 tbsp slivered almonds.

Ice Cream Sundae – 230 calories
Top ½ cup light ice cream with 3 tbsp chocolate sauce, ¼ chopped banana and 5 coarsely chopped almonds.

“Trail-Mix” – 195 calories
25 mini marshmallows with ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 10 almonds.