Spring and Summer Meal Plan Ideas
By Alexa Silvestri
The sun is shining! You know what that means? The warm spring and summer air is on its way! If you are like me, spring and summer weather always puts you in the mood to find easy, delicious recipes. But as busy college students, the time and motivation to search for new recipes can be scarce. Check out my ideas for spring and summer meal plans below to bring some fun, new recipes to your repertoire of meals.
Spring Meal Plan
Oats are one of the healthiest grains you can consume, so it makes sense that oatmeal is a popular breakfast choice. Oatmeal contains lots of fiber and antioxidants to help flush out your body and reduce bloating. Topping off your oatmeal with berries will also provide your body with more antioxidants and nutrients.
Ingredients: oats, eggs, berries, butter, vanilla almond milk, baking powder, vanilla extract, salt, pecans, maple syrup
Lunch: Strawberry Avocado Feta Spinach Quinoa Salad
Salads are jam packed with rich nutrients and fiber. Eating avocados is also good for your health, as avocados contain potassium and important minerals. In addition, spinach and quinoa not only support your physical health, but brain health as well!
Ingredients: spinach, avocado, feta, quinoa, basil, garlic, balsamic, olive oil, salt, pepper
Dinner: Turkey Burger on Lettuce Wraps with a Side of Sweet Potato Fries
There is nothing like a good summer barbecue! If you are looking for something less dense than a regular burger, try a turkey burger. Turkey burgers usually have less saturated fat content than beef burgers. In addition, turkey burgers are a great option for boosting your heart health as turkey is a good source for vitamin B6. And, who doesn’t love a good side of fries, especially sweet potato fries if you are like me!
Ingredients: turkey burger, lettuce wraps or buns, tomato, cheese, sweet potato fries
Summer Meal Plan
Breakfast: Avocado Toast
As I mentioned earlier, avocados are great for your health and digestion. Avocados are strong aids for your vision, heart, and stomach health. In addition, avocados will help detoxify your body, and may even help promote your metabolism and fat loss. Top off your avocado toast with everything but the bagel seasoning and even spice it up with a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette!
Ingredients: multigrain bread, avocados, garlic powder or everything but the bagel seasoning, mozzarella cheese, balsamic vinaigrette, over easy egg
Lunch: Caprese Pasta Salad with Grilled Chicken
If you have been to the Bartley Exchange, you most likely have had the Wall Street: tomato, mozzarella, and pesto wrap. Bring that recipe home with you for a healthy summer lunch! If the wrap or sandwich isn’t your thing, make the caprese recipe into a bowl and add some pasta.
Ingredients: grape tomatoes, mozzarella balls, bowtie pasta, grilled chicken, olive oil, balsamic vinaigrette, pesto
Dinner: Grilled Salmon with Zucchini Noodles
Summertime has the perfect vibe for fresh seafood. Salmon is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon can help with controlling weight, reducing the risk of heart disease, boosting your immune system. Zucchini also has many of the added benefits of salmon.
Ingredients: salmon, olive oil, italian seasoning, zucchini noodles (pan-roasted in olive oil and italian seasoning)
If you are looking for scrumptious seasonal snacks, try out the following ideas:
Greek yogurt fruit parfaits
Fruit kabobs or smoothies
These are just a few ideas to freshen up your list of spring and summer recipes. You can find many more ideas on blogs, Pinterest, and other media outlets. I hope these recipe ideas put you in the spring and summer mindset and get you excited to try a new, delicious recipe soon!
