What is Dieting?

MANY people throughout the world have a deep, personal connection with dieting and don’t need a definition to understand it. If you are the lucky minority that do not know what dieting is, it is technically a certain way of eating but in reality it’s usually a way of eating with the purpose of losing weight.

Why You Should Ditch Dieting

Dieting ends up being a cycle of working towards weight loss, a state of being in a lower weight, eventually returning to the previous weight, increase past your original weight, then deciding to try a new diet.

This yo-yo dieting cycle is exhausting and endless!

Dieting can steal your life by always attempting to achieve the unachievable. Leave this lifestyle in the dust by finding food freedom.

Health At Every Size (HAES)

Health at Every Size (HAES) is a movement for advocating for the spread of knowledge that health can be had in any size body.

A thin person can be unhealthy. A fat person can be unhealthy.

A thin person can be healthy. A fat person can be healthy.

The physical size of a person does not automatically determine their level of health.

Health can be defined by someone’s capabilities, improvements, and blood work but the physical size of a body is a bit redundant.

How To Ditch Dieting

There’s no one-size-fits all path to ditch dieting. We’re all different with different experiences, cultures, situations, goals, and behaviors. I have a few actions you can take to take you to the next step down the path of never dieting again!

1. Change what you listen to

You have the autonomy to turn on what plays through your speakers. Surround yourself with positivity and education on topics you’re curious about, not podcasts and videos that pedestal diet culture.

2. Redefine your ‘food rules’:

You may be unaware of the food rules you have set up for yourself without even noticing because you’ve become so ingrained in them.

Do you have a cutoff time of when you can eat at night? Is there a certain food you avoid? Do you follow a fad diet (intermittent fasting, keto, low carb, etc.)?

Instead of these ‘rules‘ be open to having anything in moderation. These restrictive mindsets result in a feeling of deprivation and likely eventually consuming a bit more than you’d like to compensate.

3. What is healthy to you?

Health is not a size. Re-hardwire your brain to understand that thinness is not the solution. It is not the goal. HEALTH is the goal.

Now that we’ve got this covered ask yourself, what is healthy to you?

Some determine their health by bloodwork, blood sugars, fitness abilities, etc.

4. Have a social media cleanse

Many social media accounts are toxic. Many are not.

It is worth the time and effort to curate a feed based on what you need in this phase of life. If there is a certain influencer you know is detrimental to you in some way, it is okay to unfollow them. You can always follow them once you are in a better state.

I share body positive, encouraging messages and recipes on my Instagram if you are in need of new, safe accounts to surround yourself with.

5. Educate yourself

It’s completely fine to not fully understand or accept the true workings of diets. Take the time to read a bit deeper into how they work..well.. how they don’t work.

Once you have the realization of their workings you may immediately ditch dieting for good!

6. Make your boundaries clear (to yourself and loved ones!)

Making your boundaries clear to yourself allows you to set clear boundaries for others as well.

Maybe you don’t want to speak about a recent weight loss. First, you have to know this is a boundary you have. Then, when a loved one (or stranger) comes close to this boundary make it clear to them that this is not a conversation you currently want to have.

If they make the explicit choice to continue the topic, walk away. They are making you uncomfortable by crossing your boundary after you informed them of it!

7. Have a closet clean out

If you are on the diet pendulum swing where you are up in weight you may experience your clothing not fitting or fitting differently than previously.

Get rid of the clothes that don’t fit or make you feel uncomfortable. Clothes are to fit you. There is no world where you should be attempting to change your body to fit into a pair of pants.

8. Toss the scale

Knowing your weight isn’t as beneficial or useful as you may expect. Obtaining your weight at doctor check-up is enough. Honestly, you don’t even need to hear them record it nor even allow them to record it!

There are many other more valuable measures of health than your weight. Your healthcare provider should be able to accommodate this boundary. If not, this is a chance to educate them on its lack of importance.

9. Speak to a Registered Dietitian

You can ditch dieting on your own but if it is too difficult or feel unescapable, seek some assistance from a registered dietitian.

If you believe you need some help escaping the grasp of the diet pendulum, let’s set up a free nutrition consultation to see what your next steps should be.

Food Freedom

Food freedom is a way of eating that came about from our intense diet culture. In the most basic form food freedom is just ‘regular’ old eating.

There really is no specific food freedom definition. I consider it to be a space where you have a good relationship with food, the ability to balance what you crave, need, and have access to, eat at appropriate times for you, stop eating when satisfied, and are carefree about eating for comfort.

How To Ditch Dieting Takeaways

• Dieting is an exhausting (and disappointing!) cycle of weight gain, loss, and regain.
• There are many different steps you can take to help you ditch dieting for good!
• Food freedom is an invigorating space to live in. You are able to be flexible with your food yet accepting with your body.
• Reach out for help if you feel stuck in the yo-yo diet cycle. We can figure out what your net steps should be!

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Disclaimers

Always speak to your trusted healthcare provider before making any large changes related to your health.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may make a commission at no cost to you. Please see my full disclosure policy for more details.

Why You’ll LOVE This Recipe

Do you love a caramel apple but hate how difficult it is to eat!? Same!

These Caramel Apple Pretzel Bites are JUST like a classic caramel apple, but in bite sized pieces. This makes them easily poppable and a whole lot less messy!

Even better- you can make adjust the amount you make based on what your night entails. Make a smaller batch for yourself, a bit more for your family, or a large supply for a party.

Another reason I know you’ll love this recipe is because of how easy it is to find the ingredients and make it! Pretzels, caramel bits, and apples can be found at the grocery store all year round!

Then, putting them all together only takes a few minutes! You’ll be having your healthier sweet treat in no time.

What You’ll Need

You only need three ingredients! You can get them all at most grocery stores or off Amazon.

Pretzel Snaps– The snaps have small spaces. This is key to making Caramel Apple Pretzel Bites and ensuring the caramel bits don’t fall through.

Granny Smith Apples- You can use any variety of apple, but Granny Smith compliment the sweet and salty of the pretzel and caramels well!

Caramel Bits– These are soft and oh so tasty! These would be found in the baking aisle or candy aisle at the grocery store.

How to Make Easy Caramel Apple Pretzel Bites

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Preheat your oven right when you decide to make this recipe. It can be pulled together quickly and you’ll end up waiting for it.
• I used two caramel bits per bite. This is the minimum to hold the apple and pretzel together. If you are a caramel fiend feel free to add more!
• Want to make the apples more juicy? Sprinkle a tiny bit of salt on them! This will bring out the juices.
• Not eating them immediately after making them? Sprinkle a light amount of lemon juice on the apples to help prevent them from oxidizing. Even if they do brown, don’t worry, they are still completely safe to consume!

A Word From A Registered Dietitian

A sweet treat can come in all shapes and sizes! If you love a classic caramel apple, don’t make these instead because you think they are better for you.

On another note, including fruit in your sweet treats is an awesome way to up your fruit intake and get in some naturally occuring sweetness.

Craving More?

If you try these Easy Caramel Apple Pretzel Bites I would appreciate it if you gave it a 5-star rating and leave a review! It truly helps me share my recipes with others. Also, I would love to see how it turns out. Tag me in a photo on Instagram!

Try out these other recipes, too!

• Pumpkin Spice Doughnut with Chocolate Topping
• Simple Oreo Spiders
• Soft and Fluffy Banana Snickerdoodles
• High Protein Blondies: Peanut Butter Chocolate

Easy Caramel Apple Pretzel Bites Recipe

Easy Caramel Apple Pretzel Bites

Lauren Klein, MS RDN

No ratings yet

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Dessert, healthy dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 6 People

Calories 72 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Sheet Pan

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 48 Pretzel Snaps
• 96 Caramel Bits
• 1 Granny Smith Apple Medium

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Optional: Cover a sheet pan with parchment paper. This makes for easy clean up.
• Lay out the pretzel snaps on your sheet pan. They can touch but do not aloow them to overlap.
• Place 2 caramel bits in the center of each pretzel.
• Chop the apple into small chunks. Set aside.
• Place pan in oven once up to temperature. Bake for 3 minutes.
• When done, remove from oven. The caramel should be soft and easily squished with light pressure.
• Place an apple chunk onto each caramel covered pretzel. Allow to set.
• Enjoy immediately!

Notes

• Enjoy immediately.
• See my article section called Expert Tips and Tricks if you need more assistance!

Nutrition

Serving: 8PiecesCalories: 72kcalCarbohydrates: 14.8gProtein: 0.8gFat: 1.25g

Keyword Apple, Caramel, Halloween, Pretzel

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What is A Food Obsession?

A food obsession is exactly what it sounds like- being obsessed with food. Though there is not yet an official consensus as to how this is categorized, we are slowly getting more research!

As with all things food and eating-related, nothing is easy or straightforward.

A 2018 study described why food obsession/addiction is so tough to categorize. ‘[B]ehavioral addictions involve dependence on a behavior, not a substance; however, addictive-like consumption of highly palatable food involves both a behavior (eating) and substance (food). Some classic substance addictions, such as tobacco use disorder, also appear to include behavioral dependencies.’¹

Basically, the study is saying on one hand it could be classified as a behavior disorder similar to gambling. While on the other it could be seen as a substance disorder. In the case of food obsession, the food itself would be the substance.

Do you understand how tricky this is now!?

To make it more problematic, in many cases, the issue of food obsession comes about from disordered eating habits. This could be restricting, leading the person to constantly be thinking about the food they don’t allow themselves to have.

Another example of a habit leading to food obsession could be from binge eating. Binge eating is a DSM-5 classified eating disorder. But, due to this, the person may think about food and plan their binges.

One who is experiencing an eating disorder may just be understanding it as a food obsession or food addiction.

Signs of Food Obsession

It is difficult to put every single potential sign of a food obsession into words. Every person has their own individual experiences with food and may describe them differently.

Some potential signs may be:

• Constantly thinking about food, what you want to eat, what foods you are avoiding
• Eating to a point of uncomfortable on a relatively regular basis (i.e. more than just specific occasions)
• Worry about food options and availability
• Hiding food
• Avoidance of eating with others
• Lying about consumption

Why Am I Obsessed With Food?

There are so many reasons you may feel obsessed with food!

A few potential causes are:

• Undereating/Overeating
• Genetic predisposition
• Using food as a coping method
• Mentally-driven
• Emotionally-driven
• Hormonal imbalances (very small research on this one)

These are just the tip of the iceberg. Everyone experiencing food obsession may have a different cause. Food and eating is very personal and intertwined with many other emotional and physical factors.

Unfortunately, you may never get a 100% answer to what the cause is.

The Issue With Diet Culture

Diet culture needs its own space here. The world we currently live in has an obsession with body size and aesthetics. With this, a food obsession can result.

Without even realizing it, social norms may be guiding you towards obsessing over food and what you look like.

Diet culture will have you thinking that having more than a single-sized bag of chips in a sitting is an awful habit. What!? Not only is diet culture confining the normal limits of consumption, it also normalizes undereating.

Only allowing yourself organic, all-natural, pasture-raise (insert any other trending health claims) is also an obsession. Diet culture has also normalized this way of consumption.

What Do I Need To Do To Fix My Obsession with Food?

In order to fix your food obsession you have to fix the true cause. If an eating disorder is occuring a food obsession is more of a side effect.

You may not be experiencing a full blown eating disorder but you may have disordered eat there may be room to work on your relationship with food.

Side note: an eating disorder and disordered eating are very similar but not the same. An eating disorder can be classified by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition (DSM-5) while disordered eating is any way of eating that is disordered yet not classified as an eating disorder. Confusing, right?

Back to what to do about the food obsession. This obsession may actually have nothing to do with an eating disorder or disordered eating all. I’m sorry- I know I keep making this difficult!

If the obsession is not related to disordered eating or an eating disorder, there is still hope! It is difficult to combat this on your own. I recommend speaking to a therapist and a dietitian. In conjunction, you will have a team of experts on your side to help guide you and work towards answers.

Food Obsession Frequently Asked Questions

I am not addicted to foods like candy and chips, is it still an obsession?

It is more likely to gravitate towards sweet, processed foods with fat, but that isn’t the rule! It is very possible to feel obsessed with foods considered ‘whole’ such as carrots or nuts.¹

How do I know if I am actually addicted to food?

There is no medical test for food obsession. At this time, there is not too much research on understanding biological factors that may support a diagnosis either. If you feel there is an issue, there likely is.

Where does food obsession come from?

There are endless sources that a food obsession could form from. It could be from a reliance on food as support, a safe space, comfort, etc. It could also be a hormonal imbalance (minimal research), genetic predisposition, or caused from another concurrent issue.

A Word From A Registered Dietitian

Don’t feel alone. Food obsession is more normal than you’d expect. With help from a dietitian and therapist this issue can be overcome.

Reach out via email (hello@themichigandietian.com) or my nutrition consultation interest form to speak about this further.

If you feel as though you struggle with food, not matter how miniscule or manageable it may seem it is worth working on. By carrying on, it may worsen and end up causing severe harm.

Craving More?

If you are interested in reading further on food and nutrition check out some of my other posts! If you are interested in working on your food obsession with me, send me a message through the nutrition counseling page.

Want more nutrition information, food freedom content, and delicious recipe? Follow @the.michigan.dietitian on Instagram and other social media platforms!

Disclosure

Information in this post should not be taken as medical advice. Speak with your healthcare provider for making any changes to your reginim.

Citations

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5946262/

This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may make a commission at no cost to you. Please see my full disclosure policy for more details.

What Is Broccolini?

Have you ever tried broccolini? Nonetheless, heard of it?

It’s a bit strange looking. It looks a bit like broccoli but with a long stem. And this stem is better tasting than the stems of broccoli.

Honestly, some restaurants use broccolini in place of broccoli for both its taste and association as a ‘fancier’ veggie.

I know my limits and I am definitely not the expert on broccolini. But, I found another page with a great description and background on it if you’re curious!

If you enjoy broccoli, there’s a good chance you’ll also enjoy broccolini!

Why You’ll LOVE This Recipe

It is so fun to make something out of the ordinary. You can easily change-up any recipe that includes broccoli with broccolini instead. This way, you have a recipe you already know you love but with a simple twist!

Ingredients

This recipe has one main ingredient-broccolini. The three others are ones you likely already have on hand!

Broccolini– Well of course! This recipe is based off of fresh broccolini.

Olive Oil– Just use your favorite!

Lemon Juice– You can squeeze it fresh from a lemon, but from a container works just as well.

Garlic– Again, fresh is great but from a container also gets the job done!

Air Fryer Broccolini Directions

To start your cooking journey, clean your broccolini under running cold water. Then chop off the leaves and stems. The photo below shows a regular piece on the left and a chopped one on the right.

Next up, add all of the ingredients into a large baggie and mix it around until the broccolini is fully coated. If you have time, allow this to marinate for 30 minutes. If not, no worries! Just let it set until your air fryer is up to temperature.

Lastly, just cook in in the air fryer until done. If you enjoy your veggies salty, add more. Then, enjoy!

Air Fryer Broccolini Pairings

Sure, broccolini isn’t the perfect replacement to broccoli but it certainly can pair with many foods just as broccoli can!

Try having Air Fryer Broccolini with:

• Salmon and red potatoes
• Roasted chicken and rice
• Ramen
• Chicken sausage and peppers

If you pair your Air Fryer Broccolini with something else, be sure to leave it in the comments. I’d love to try it out with something I haven’t considered!

Expert Tips and Tricks

The first tip I have for you is about actually finding broccolini at the grocery store. Sometimes you can find it in the ‘greens’ area but it’s usually easiest (at least for me) to find in a bag! Check out the bagged veggie area in your local grocery store for the best luck.

Another tip is to ensure your broccolini is dry(ish) prior to cooking. The directions instruct you to start by washing the veggie. But, afterwards, you want to make sure it is entirely dry. This way steam isn’t created when you go to air fry.

When cooking in the air fryer, do not stack. If you do the timing will be off and they will not all cook evenly. It is better to do multiple batches than risk deviations.

A Word From A Registered Dietitian

Adding in a fun new vegetable can keep dinner (and getting in your veggies) exciting! If you’re sick of having the same veggies in your rotation look into broccolini!

Having veggies on your plate is something I will always support. Expectedly, broccolini is low in calories but also has fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Surprisingly, it has a higher amount of protein compared to other vegetables. in 3.5 ounces there is 3.5 grams of protein. This may not seem like a ton but for a veggies this in a great amount.

Craving More?

I you make a batch of Air Fryer Broccolini with Garlic and Lemon I would appreciate it if you give it a 5-star rating and leave a review! It truly helps me share my recipes with others. Also, I would love to see how it turns out. Tag me in a photo on Instagram!

You should also check out some of my other recipes:

• Easy Air Fryer Red Potatoes and Onions
• Hot Honey Brussel Sprouts
• Cubed Sweet Potatoes in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Zucchini Bites

Air Fryer Broccolini with Garlic and Lemon Recipe

Air Fryer Broccolini with Garlic and Lemon

Lauren Klein, MS RDN

Elevate your vegetable game with a burst of flavor and a crispy twist! Pair your favorite meal with Air Fryer Broccolini with Garlic and Lemon!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 2 Servings

Calories 160 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Air Fryer
• 1 Baggie Large

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 6 Ounces Broccolini Fresh
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
• 1 Teaspoon Garlic
• 1 Teaspoon Coarse Salt

Instructions

 

• Rinse your broccolini under cold running water. Dry thoroughly.
• If you air fryer necessitates it, preheat air fryer to 370 degrees fahrenheit.
• Remove the stems and leaves from the broccolini.
• In the large baggie add the broccolini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt.
• Press the ingredients around to thoroughly coat the broccolini.
• Once the air fryer is up to temperature, add the veggies.
• Cook for 10 minutes. Add additional salt if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

• See the Expert Tips and Tricks for more details on ways to get the best results.
• Store in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 ServingCalories: 160kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 3.5gFat: 14g

Keyword Air Fryer, Side Dish

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This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may make a commission at no cost to you. Please see my full disclosure policy for more details.

Why You’ll LOVE This Delicious Carrot Cake Mug Cake

I know you’ll love this mug cake and end up making it over and over again… because that’s what I did!

You’ll love that this is the perfect amount of cake to satisfy your sweet tooth without having to commit to a whole cake.

You’re going to obsess over the taste. The cream cheese frosting pairs perfectly with the moist carrot cake. A mug cake is great on it’s own but add in cream cheese frosting? DONE!

When to Make This Mug Cake

You don’t need to wait until Easter to make this mug cake! This mug cake can be had as a single-serving dessert on a weekday, a fun activity to do with a friend, or a morning sweet treat!

Sometimes you can be having a craving for some carrot cake but don’t want to be stuck with 24 portions. This mug cake is the perfect solution to this predicament!

Carrot Cake Mug Cake Ingredients

This mug cake recipe is based off of my Grandma’s Carrot Cake recipe. If you have a party (or think you’ll want more than one serving) I recommend making this! Her cake has never let me down!

Carrots– Do you have a bag of baby carrots that seem to pay rent in your fridge? You can use a few of those up here!

Vegetable Oil– Many carrot cake recipes will use butter. Not grandma! She uses vegetable oil to make the cake more moist.

Cream Cheese– This is for the cream cheese frosting. This is an extra step on top of making the mug cake but this topping is not something you want to miss!

In addition to these main ingredients you’ll also need sugar, all purpose flour, an egg, butter (oleo), powdered sugar, vanilla extract, baking soda, and salt.

How to Make Carrot Cake Mug Cake

The (only) worst part about mug cakes are getting out the ingredients and putting them away. I swear this takes longer than actually making this dessert!

If you are going to make the cream cheese frosting be sure to get the butter and cream cheese out now! They need to be at room temperature in order to cream together.

To start with the actual cake, crack an egg into a medium-large mug and cream together with the sugar. This is a very important step to not skip over!

Next, add in the rest of the ingredients (besides the carrot). Mix it all together.

Lastly, clean and grate your carrot. Dry it if it is still wet from cleaning. Gently fold the carrot shreds into the mug.

If you are making the cream cheese frosting it is as simple as creaming the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla together then slowly mixing in the powdered sugar. Be sure to not over mix this!

Delicious Additions

If you want to take your Carrot Cake Mug Cake to the next level you can add in some delicious additions!

Try:

• Adding a few crushed walnuts, pecans, or almonds
• Topping it with whipped cream
• Pairing it with a cup of coffee

If you try something else be sure to leave it in the comments down below, I’d love to give it a taste, too!

Expert Tips and Tricks

I don’t consider myself a ‘mug cake expert’ but I have made quite a few. If you’re a bit newer to the mug cake game these tips and tricks may come in handy for you.

• Be sure to cream together the egg and sugar then the other ingredients. This may seem unnecessary but trust me here, it makes a big difference!
• Use a larger mug than you think you need. Who cares if it ends up being too big? The real mess comes if your mug is too small.
• If you are also making the cream cheese frosting be sure to get the butter and cream cheese out as soon as you decide to make your mug cake! It can be a real downer when you’re ready to dig in but they aren’t at room temperature yet!

A Word From a Registered Dietitian

If you’re reading this I bet you’re hoping I say, ‘it’s got carrots, it’s healthy!’. Thankfully everything isn’t black and white!

Yes, there is a small amount of carrot in this mug cake, which is better than nothing.

This Carrot Cake shouldn’t be your only source of veggies but it’s a great idea to add extra veggies to your desserts!

Craving More?

Once you make these Delicious Carrot Cake Mug Cake be sure to leave 5-star review and a comment below! It’s always helpful for others to know someone else has had success!

I’d love to see how it turns out. Tag me on Instagram so I can share it!

Try some of my other delicious recipes:

• Grandma’s Old Fashioned Carrot Cake
• High Protein Blondies: Peanut Butter Chocolate
• Protein Oreo Mug Cake
• White Chocolate and Strawberry Muffins

Delicious Carrot Cake Mug Cake Recipe

Delicious Carrot Cake Mug Cake

Lauren Klein, MS RDN

This delicious single-serving Carrot Cake Mug Cake combines the sweet notes of carrots, cozy spices, and a moist texture that will have you savoring every spoonful – a little mug, a lot of joy!

No ratings yet

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 minute min

Total Time 6 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 1 Serving

Calories 445 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Mug
• 1 Grater

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 Egg
• 2 Tablespoons Sugar
• 1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
• 1/3 Cup All Purpose Flour
• 1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1/4 Cup Grated Carrot

Icing

• 1 Tablespoon Butter Unsalted, Softened
• 1 Ounce Cream Cheese Softened
• 2 Dashes Vanilla Extract
• 1/3 Cup Powdered Sugar

Instructions

 

• Clean and remove outer layer of carrots. Grate carrots finely.
• In a mug cream together the egg and sugar.
• Add in the vegetable oil, flour, baking soda, and cinnamon.
• Gently fold in the grated carrots.
• Microwave for 1 minute 15 seconds.
• Allow to cool. While waiting make the icing.
• Mix together the softened butter, cream cheese, and vanilla. Add to mug cake.
• Top with additional grated carrot, if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

• Enjoy immediately! Mug cakes aren’t as tasty leftover and reheated.
• If you decide to add the frosting add an additional 353 calories, 2g of protein, 40g of carbs, and 21g of fat.

Nutrition

Serving: 1MugCalories: 445kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 10gFat: 19g

Keyword Carrot, Mug Cake

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Reasons You May Not Feel Like Eating

There could endless reasons as to why you may not feel like eating. I have a few more common ideas for you, but know this is not an exhaustive list of possibilities!

Sickness

When you’re exhausted just laying in bed fighting off an illness, food isn’t always your top concern- I get it!

Burnout or Exhaustion

When you’re burnt out you feel depleted and empty physically and mentally. Or, you could have met your capacity for making decisions for the day. Having to decide what to feed yourself next may not be an option.

Lack of Time

Life happens! Some days are so jammed packed with work, exercise, events, social commitments, or anything else you have happening in your life that there’s only time for something quick and easy.

Simply Don’t Feel Like It!

Sometimes you just don’t feel like eating. There doesn’t need to be a reason! Simply not feeling like it once in a while is a perfectly good excuse!

Deeper Issues

If you find yourself asking yourself what to eat because you never feel like eating there may be some deeper issues.

Meal Ideas For What To Eat What You Don’t Feel Like It!

Here are some different meals ideas based on the type of meal you’d like. There’s ‘put-together’ meals, go-to’s, one pot/pan, frozen, quic, comfort, high protein, ordering in, hot bar, and trending foods!

‘Put-Together’ Meals

In recent times this has been coined as ‘girl dinner’ but I see the connotation with this unavorable. Instead, I go by ‘put-together’.

By ‘put-together’ meals are ones that don’t involve actual cooking. You put together foods to make yourself a meal with minimal efforts beyond opening the fridge, upboards, and the silverware drawer!

Some of my favorite ‘put-together’ meals are:

• Yogurt Parfaits- you simply need to plop some yogurt into a bowl add in some fresh, frozen, or dried fruit and add something crunchy like granola, nuts, or seeds.
• Snack Plate- This isn’t something specific, it is whatever you have on-hand. Some examples to add to your snack plate are: cheeses, crackers, deli meat or rotisserie chicken, veggies, fruits, nuts, etc.
• Canned Soup- Soup is an often forgotten simple and delicious meal! Keep a few cans on hand for a meal in under 5 minutes. Add in a few frozen veggies to the bowl before microwaving it for some extra filling fiber! You can make this meal even better by pairing it with a slice of buttered bread! Yum!

Stick To Your Go-To’s

If you have a favorite meal that you tend to always reach for, grab it! Dietitians are huge supporters of diversifying your meals, but eating something is better than nothing!

One Pot/Pan Meals

It is honestly so easy to add a bunch of goodies to a pot of pan, cook it, and end up with a full on meal!

You can preheat your oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit, add any combination of cut-up potatoes, veggies, meat links, then cook until everything is up to heat! My favorite type of meal like this is my Fall Harvest Sheet Pan meal! It makes for a great warm meal in just about 30 minutes.

Frozen Meals

• Individual Frozen Meals- You know the ones i’m talking about… They may not be the most filling- maybe have two!
• Home Delivery- There are meal delivery services that offer frozen meals delivered to your home that are a bit more nourishing than the ones you can get in the freezer aisle of your local grocery store.
• Stouffer’s Lasagna- These are meant for multi-person families but that doesn’t mean they can’t just be an easy meal prep! Make one and you’ve got dinner all week or some meals to share.

Quick Meals

A quick meal can be satisfying without being difficult and time consuming.

This could simply be spaghetti, ground beef, and a can of sauce. This is a comforting meal that requires minimal ingredients, is quick, and loved by most! Some other quick meals can be: a box of stuffing + rotisserie chicken + with a can of veggies or even frozen chicken tenders + french fries! Pair this with a fruit if you’re feeling up to it!

Comfort Meals

If you don’t know what to eat pick something that will provide you comfort! This could be anything from mac-and-cheese (box or homemade), chicken pot pie, or even a pb&j sandwich!

Easy High Protein Meals

You may feel out of it because you haven’t had enough protein throughout the day. Try opting for a high protein meal to see if that helps! A simple high protein lunch may be a greek yogurt cup with fruit, tuna fish with crackers, and some cheese!

Order In

The excitement of having food ordered in may be just what you need to answer the question of ‘what to eat?’. If you know you can order anything you’d like you may all of a sudden be in the mood for something specific! Funny that!

Hot Bar

The hot bars at grocery stores are a forgotten treasure trove for delicious and easy meals! They have nearly everything you could ask for already ready to go. Simply, pick what you want and head to the checkout line.

Explore Trending and New Foods

Have none of these options piqued your interest? Check out TikTok, Instagram, or Pinterest using keywords to find what you’re in need of (‘easy meals’, ‘simple dinner’, ’10 minute meals’). People are insanely creative. There are always new recipes coming out, one of those may be the right fit for you!

A Word From A Registered Dietitian on What To Eat

As a dietitian it is usually difficult to give broad advice. Every person has difference circumstances, health concerns, and goals. BUT, I can say that in most cases it is best to eat something even when you don’t feel like eating.

Of course having a balanced and colorful plate is idealistic but if all you are able to manage is to consume a cookie, then that is just what it is for the night!

What to Eat When You Don’t Feel Like Eating Key Takeaways

• There can be endless reasons why you don’t feel like eating every once in awhile, but if this is a normal occurance it would be best to check in with your health professional team.
• There are a tons of different routes you can go down to eventually find something to eat.
• Eating something is more important than eating nothing at all!

Craving More?

If you were able to decide What to Eat When You Don’t Feel Like Eating share a photo of your creation by tagging me on Instagram! This really supports me and allows others to know about this resource!

You may also want to try my easy recipes:

• Blueberry Lemon Overnight Oats
• Incredible Avocado Grilled Cheese
• Loaded Egg Bites
• Protein Oreo Mug Cake

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Disclaimer

Before making any medical or nutrition changes speak to your health care team about your concerns. This is not medical advice and should not be taken as so.

Speak to your healthcare professional before making any medical decisions.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may make a commission at no cost to you. Please see my full disclosure policy for more details.

Why You’ll LOVE This Recipe

Do you love cinnamon rolls? Of course you do!

These Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll Bites have all the deliciousness of a full cinnamon roll with the excitement of little bite size pieces.

Beyond enjoying these bites for dessert, try them different ways. You can make a batch for family breakfast and everyone can have a few bites!

Imagine if you made these these the morning after a sleepover. Best parent EVER!

Because they are bite sized pieces these are more shareable than typical cinnamon rolls. That means you can be the host with the most by bringing these out as an appetizer passing dish.

What You’ll Need

The only ingredient you need to make Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls is a can of cinnamon rolls! Of course you could make the dough from scratch, but that wouldn’t make this recipe easy, would it?

The thing is, in order to air fry, you’ll need an air fryer! There are a ton of air fryer options on the market now in all different price ranges.

If you’re on the edge of deciding which to get, opt for a cheaper one. This way you can figure out if you’ll utilize it enough to take up counter space. If you know you will be air frying everything, opt for one of Ninja’s. They have a few multipurpose ones!

How To Make Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll Bites

You are going to enjoy making these Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll Bites as much as you’ll love eating it!

Start by popping your can of cinnamon rolls- you know what I mean!

Use a knife or pizza cutter to cut the rolls into quarters. The cinnamon roll layers will fall apart. Help them along by separating the rest.

Place a layer of of aluminum foil in your air fryer and preheat it to 350 degrees fahrenheit.

Lay all of your bits into the air fryer, without them touching. Next up, air fry them for 5 to 6 minutes. If you like them a bit more doughy do 5 minutes. If you prefer a crunchier golden bite leave them in for 6 minutes.

When they’re done carefully remove them from the airfryer.

The last step is to drizzle the icing over them or dunk them- your choice!

You now have an incredible batch of Easy Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll Bites. Try not to eat them all yourself!

Expert Tips and Tricks

1. Try not to over cook them! Even cooking them 2 minutes too long will eave them hard.
2. Enjoy them immediately. Reheating these Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll Bites will just make them hard.
3. Use parchment paper or disposable air fryer paper for easy clean up.
4. Make sure you use a timer. Keeping the cinnamon roll bites in the air fryer after the beep will still continue cooking. Be sure to remove them immediately.
5. While the bites are in the air fryer warm up the icing in your hands. You want it to reach room temperature so it isn’t cold and hard but not hot and melted. Room temperature is a great middle ground.

A Word From a Registered Dietitian

Cinnamon rolls are generally seen as ‘sugar bombs’. They may have sugar, but in no way are they bombs.

Enjoy your cinnamon roll(s)! Shaming yourself for wanting one (or a few!) does nothing but hamper the meal. You should either enjoy your cinnamon rolls and move on or pair your cinnamon roll with other foods to up the nutrition.

By pairing a cinnamon roll with some greek yogurt and sliced bananas you know have a sweet and savory snack with protein, carbs, and fiber! This will keep you satisfied longer and maintain a more steady blood glucose level.

Craving More?

If you try these Easy Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll Bites I would appreciate it if you give it a 5-star rating and leave a review! It truly helps me share my recipes with others. Also, I would love to see how it turns out. Tag me in a photo on Instagram!

Can I entice you further? Try out these recipes too!

• Soft and Fluffy Snickerdoodles
• No Bake Mini Monster Energy Balls
• Easy Rice Cake with Chocolate
• Homemade Kudos Granola Bar Recipe

Easy Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll Bites Recipe

Easy Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll Bites

Lauren Klein, MS RDN

Make a delicious batch of cinnamon rolls even better by transforming them into Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll Bites! These poppable bites will be your new favorite way to have your cinnamon rolls.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 7 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 8 Servings

Calories 150 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Air Fryer

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 Can Cinnamon Rolls

Instructions

 

• Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
• Pop open the can of cinnamon rolls according to package directions.
• Lay out all the cinnamon rolls onto a cutting board. Cut the cinnamon rolls into quarters.
• Add parchment paper to the bottom of your air fryer. Break up the pieces of if dough at the bottom of the pan. Try to not allow them to touch each other. You will need to do this in two batches to cook everything.
• Bake them in the air fryer for 5-6 minutes. Remove immediately.
• Bring the icing up to room temperature by warming it up in your hands. Add to a small dipping dish.
• Repeat baking with the remaining dough.
• Enjoy!

Notes

• If you need to see what I am speaking about in the instructions, visit the ‘How to Make Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll Bites’ portion of this article for visuals.
• Enjoy immediately. They become hard if reheated.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Cinnamon RollCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 2gFat: 4.5g

Keyword Air Fryer, Cinnamon Roll

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This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may make a commission at no cost to you. Please see my full disclosure policy for more details.

Why You’ll LOVE This Recipe!

This is a one pot crockpot recipe that results in a creamy and satisfying meal. This makes for the ideal weeknight meal.

This hands-off recipe will provide you a nourishing and filling meal after a long day of work, and isn’t that the goal?

Do I need to make it even better? Well you better sit down because I am! This is a comfort food classic. Alfred? Chicken? Pasta? Yeah, this recipe’s got it all.

Ingredients

There are only a few main ingredients you need to make this crockpot recipe.

Chicken Breast: A balanced dinner needs a protein source. Chicken breast is one my of favorite go-to choices.

Parmesan Alfredo: Many crockpot recipes love to use a block of cream cheese to add a creamy flavor. Instead, using alfredo sauce gives this recipe a delicious base!

Pasta of Choice: You can use any pasta you’d like. I used cavatappi. I wouldn’t recommend using a chickpea based pasta. This will result in a mushy product.

Parmesan Cheese: Alfredo sauce is great and all, but nothing compares to cheese!

Chicken Stock: Chicken stock adds ample flavor and keeps this dish moist.

Garlic: I don’t think I need to explain this one!

In addition, you will need to dive into your spice cabinet to round out the ingredients you need. Before starting to cook be sure you have: garlic powder, saly, pepper, and parsley.

How to Make Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Not only is this a low-mess recipe, it is also low-effort! In my opinion, shredding the chicken is the most difficult aspect.

To start you will add your chicken breast, alfredo, and sices to a crockpot. Let this cook on high for 2.5 hours.

After, shred your chicken. I use two forks and pull it apart. There are other ways to do this. Check out the 6 ideas in my Expert Tips and Tricks down below.

After the chicken is shredded add in the dry pasta and parmesan cheese. It then will cook an additional 30 minutes. This cooks the pasta so you don’t need to boil any water or dirty additional dishes.

Then, pour in a cup of chicken stock and add 30 minutes to your timer. This stock adds additional flavor and ensures the dish remains moist.

Once it is done you can eat it immediately! That means you just had to add some ingredients to a pot every little bit and you get a filling and delicious meal.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• If you hate shredding chicken like me, try out one of Jessica Gavin’s article on 6 ways to shred chicken!
• Add some veggies into the mix! When there is about 30 minutes left add your favorite veggie. I’d recommend corn, broccoli, peas, or diced bell peppers.
• If you want more cheese than the recipe calls for, go for it! This recipe is very lenient. Top your crockpot with all the cheese you’d like 20 minutes prior to it being done.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to boil the pasta separately?

No! That is one of the awesome aspects of this recipe! You only need a crockpot, no boiling water necessary!

How will I know when the chicken is cooked?

You can feel safe to consume the chicken once it has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees fahrenheit.

What should I pair with this?

A breadstick would be delicious to dip in the alfredo chicken! Also, a side salad would give a great, fresh balance to this heavier meal.

How do I store this?

Once the Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is cool store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

A Word From A Registered Dietitian

A balanced meal is one with protein, carbohydrates, and dietary fats. This recipe has all three!

In addition to the nutrition this recipe has is its ability to give satisfaction. You can eat chicken, rice, and broccoli all you want but if you aren’t full and happy afterwards was it really worth the lack of flavor?

An added bonus? You can easily add as many (or little) veggies as you desire! This is a blank slate recipe that can be customized to you and your families preferences or based on what you have on hand!

Craving More?

Once you make this Incredible Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta recipe be sure to leave a 5-star review and comment below! It’s always helpful for others to know someone else has had success!

I’d love to see how it turns out. Tag me on Instagram so I can share it with others as well!

While your dinner is in the crockpot, try some of these other recipes:

• Stuffed Dates with Cream Cheese and Pistachios
• Hot Honey Brussel Sprouts
• Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon
• Mini Bell Pepper Poppers

Incredible Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Lauren Klein, MS RDN

Your newest favorite weeknight meal is going to be this Incredible Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta! This one pot dish has minimal effort and only ends up with a single dirty pot!

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs 35 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 12 Servings

Calories 373 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Crockpot

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 4 Chicken Breasts
• 1 Jar Garlic Parmesan Alfredo Sauce 14.5 ounces
• 16 Ounces Pasta I used cavatappi
• 1.5 Cups Shredded Parmesan Cheese
• 1 Cup Chicken Stock

Spices

• 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Pepper
• 1 Teaspoon Parsley
• 2 Teaspoons Garlic Fresh or jarred

Instructions

 

• Always begin cooking by thoroughly washing your hands with soap and warm running water.
• Remove any excessive fat from the chicken breasts and add to the bottom of the crockpot. Pour the jar of alfredo on top and add all spices.
• Cook on high for 2.5 hours.
• Shred chicken. Add in dry pasta and 3/4 cup cheese. Mix all together. Cook for additional 30 minutes on high.
• Add chicken stock and remaining cheese. Cook additional 30 minutes on low.
• Enjoy!

Notes

• Always ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees farenheit before consumption.
• Store in an airtight container in a refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 ServingCalories: 373kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 35gFat: 12g

Keyword Chicken, Crockpot, Pasta

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This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may make a commission at no cost to you. Please see my full disclosure policy for more details.

What Is A Salad?

A salad doesn’t have to be a boring combination of raw veggies on a bed of limp greens. A salad can be whatever you make it! Ever hear of pasta salad? It’s a base of pasta yet is still considered a salad!

In this list of salad toppings we will be looking at a variety of green bases with different, exciting toppings!

Why You’ll Love These Salad Toppings

Many salad toppings tend to be raw, flavorless veggies. This is why salads get a bad reputation! Try to think outside of the norm by using different bases, proteins, carbs, and dietary fat items.

I broke down the different ingredients into the three macronutrient categories(proteins, carbohydrates, and dietary fats) to make building a satisfying bowl one step easier.

Simply chose a few items from each category that pair together (or just that you love!) and you can have a delicious salad that will change your views on them!

Protein Salad Toppings

Bacon Bits– You can get them from the grocery store shelves or you can make your own by chopping up some home cooked bacon!

Pepperoni- Try making it fun by using mini pepperoni or cutting up regular sized pepperoni pieces into triangles.

Chicken- If you don’t want to go through the effort of grilling, baking, or boiling chicken use a ready-made rotisserie chicken!

Tuna- Canned tuna is one option but another is using the pre-flavored packets. This will add loads of flavor to your dish without having to add additional ingredients.

Steak- This protein elevates your salad to the next level!

Tofu- If you have never tried tofu, this may not be the protein you want to choose. Tofu has an easily changeable flavor but it must be prepped correctly to taste good.

Hard Boiled Eggs- Make a few ahead of time so you have them on hand when you need them. You can simply cut them in half or chop them into tiny pieces for easy eating.

Shrimp- Not enough salads use shrimp on their salads!

Lunch Meat- This is the easiest protein to add to a salad. Grab a few slices from your fridge and cut it up or take the even easier route a rip it into smaller pieces.

Chickpeas- These can be delicious right from the can or you can bake or air fry them with seasonings for a great crunchy protein option.

Ground Beef- Make yourself a delicious taco salad with seasoned ground beef!

Salmon- Salmon has become available in more forms in recent years. You don’t have to get fresh salmon from the deli counter anymore. You can now find excellent pieces in the frozen section that can be reheated and taste good as fresh. You can even get small salmon chunks and pop them in the air fryer for a tasty crunch!

Anchovies- These aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but they’re an option!

Beans- There are ample types of beans beyond the basic black bean variety. Search for a new type to taste the next time you’re at the grocery store.

Refried Beans- The texture of refried beans may have most opt out of using refried beans, but I believe they are a delicious addition!

Carbohydrate Salad Toppings

Veggies- These are a great way to add tons of nutrition and volume to your salad without a ton of extra calories. Try changing the way you serve your veggies up- grilled, baked, boiled, air fried, roasted, broiled, raw, or even pickled. Don’t forget the seasonings!

• Bell Peppers
• Tomatoes (heirloom, grape, vine, etc.)
• Peas
• Corn
• Cucumber
• White/Red Onion
• Celery
• Lima Beans
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Beets
• Mushrooms
• Potatoes/Sweet Potatoes
• Radish
• Jalapeño
• Asparagus
• Squash

Greens- Don’t stick to the basics! Try a new variety of greens for a different flavor profile.

• Arugula
• Butter Lettuce
• Romaine
• Spinach
• Kale
• Iceberg
• Bibb
• Leaf
• Spring Mix

Fruit- Don’t just stick to fresh! Try out all the different ways you find fruit- dried, fresh, freeze dried, canned, and frozen!

• Watermelon
• Grape slices
• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Pomegranate Arils
• Cranberries
• Peaches
• Cherries
• Mandarin Oranges
• Apples
• Pears
• Raspberries

Croutons- These can be homemade or from the grocery store! They come in a TON of different flavors that can be selected based on what you are going for in your salad!

Rice- Adding rice to your salad not only adds fun texture, it also ensure it will be more satisfying!

Wonton Strips- These don’t have too much flavor to them. They are more of a massive crunch that are easy to add.

Chips- Recalling the ground beef protein idea I mentioned taco seasoning. In addition to this combo adding Doritos or corn chips would round out this fun taco salad!

Orzo- Orzo is like a pasta in the shape of rice. They are soft little bits that add volume to your salad.

Frizzled Onions- I love these! Also called crispy fried onions, they are often reserved for green bean salad on Thanksgiving, but they should be had all year long!

Pita- Cut a pieces of pita with a pizza cutter into small squares. These will soak up some of the salad dressing and taste so good.

Dietary Fat Salad Toppings

Avocado/Guacamole- Guacamole is just mashed avocados with a variety of onions (and other additions!) and spices! Use either to add some healthy fats and awesome flavor to your bowl.

Olives- These are often overlooked! Try kalamata olives, black olives, or green olives.

Nuts- These can add a great texture to your salad! Walnuts and slivered almonds are some of the most popular go-to’s because they are softer and easy to bite into.

Olive Oil- Olive oil is a great heart healthy option to drizzle on the salad. You can even get flavored oils to add a fun new profile! Or, make your own infused oil! Simply add the herbs you want to some oil and allow it to sit.

I made a rosemary infused olive oil by placing a few inches of rosemary into a small container then filled it with olive oil. I closed it with the lid and let it sit on the countertop for a few days. Now, when I want an extra special olive oil, I have it on hand!

Seeds- Seeds are an often forgotten salad topping. Try using pumpkin, flax, hemp, or sunflower seeds for some additional nutrition benefits with minimal changes in taste.

Cheese- I KNOW you know about this topping idea. Go beyond the classic shredded cheese variety and use feta, goat, or cubed cheese for a fun change of pace.

Queso- This may be able to go under the cheese category but it needed to stand out a bit more. Why? Because putting queso on a salad needs more attention! Adding a small amount can add some serious flavor to a salad!

Flavor Additions

Herbs- Use dehydrated or ones plucked fresh from your garden (or from the small herb plant you recently bought from the grocery store that’ll eventually perish too early)

• Mint- This adds a bright flavor.
• Cilantro- Some call this soap and others think it adds a nice flair.
• Basil- This herb brings a slightly sweet flavor.
• Rosemary- An elevated taste.

Salsa/Pico de Gallo- Both are often overlooked when building a salad. Instead, use these in place of a salad dressing for a new flavor combinations!

Lemon/Lime Juice- A squeeze from a fresh citrus can brighten the whole salad without too much work.

Salad Dressings

There is half an aisle in most grocery stores stocked with any and every type of salad dressing you could think of! Get adventurous and try a few that sound fun or pique your interest!

On the other hand, you could make your own salad dressings!

For a creamy salad dressing eyeball a mixture of mayonnaise, miracle whip, or mustard with a variety of spices.

For a thinner salad start with a vinegar or juice with added spices and herbs!

Add your dressing of choice to your salad and give it a good toss right before eating to ensure every bite is coated!

A Word From A Registered Dietitian

A salad can be a great way to get in a ton of nutrition in a single meal. They tend to be a basic combination of iceberg lettuce, raw carrots, and cherry tomatoes. Relatable?

Instead make a delicious and interesting salad. This can be any combination of the above items (plus anything else you love!). A salad doesn’t need to be stuck in a certain box, it should be something you love and something that nourishes you!

Keep in mind: if this is your entire meal it still should contain protein, carbs, and dietary fats to keep you full and satisfied!

Try These Salad Recipes

Want a plant based salad with a unique flavor profile? Try out my Enticing Plant Based Edamame Salad!

Don’t want a salad with greens? Make this Refreshing Chickpea Salad.

Love pasta (same)? This Mediterranean Pasta Salad is for you!

If you have any other salad toppings you enjoy be sure to leave them in the comments down below for others to also try!

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This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may make a commission at no cost to you. Please see my full disclosure policy for more details.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This simple side dish only requires minimal ingredients while packing a flavor punch!

Simple Ingredients: You nearly only need what is listed in the title!

Veggies Made Delicious: Any recipe to get more veggies in your diet is a win.

Quick and Easy: Peeling and chopping the carrots takes minutes. Then topping with the flavorings is easy! Together, this makes for a quick and easy side dish that you’ll love!

Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Carrots Ingredients

Have you made a delicious and healthy recipe lately that has only taken 35 minutes and required 5 ingredients? You likely already have most of these ingredients in your pantry!

• Carrots: You can use large carrots or if you’re in a rush, baby carrots!
• Olive Oil: Try to find a flavor that is mild.
• Brown Sugar: Be sure to pack it when measuring! This way you get the correct amount.
• Honey: I use a manuka honey variety, that is why it looks a bit creamier in the image below. You don’t need to!
• Salt: Add table salt to the mixture but I also add flakey salt to top off the carrots.

Expert Tips and Tricks

When purchasing your carrots try to get ones that are similar in width and length. This will help ensure they are all cooked similarly. If some carrots are thicker than others, they will need to be cooked longer

Halfway through the baking time you will need to flip your carrots over. During this time grab a spoon and scoop up any flavor that is on the pan and pour it on the carrots. This will ensure the carrots get as much brown sugar honey tasty-ness that they can!

Try pairing these carrots with Maya from Wholesome Yum’s Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe. The dijon mustard chicken and honey carrots will make for an incredible pairing!

Relax, this is a recipe that is very forgiving. You can use different measurements, slightly different ingredients, and maybe cook it a bit different than instructed and still have a good dish!

A Word From A Registered Dietitian

Carrots are a great veggie full of nutrients! They are low in calories, have a great amount of fiber, and known for their excellent source of vitamin A.

Carrots get their orange color from beta-carotene. This is a carotenoid that will be converted into retinol AKA a form of vitamin A.

As you probably heard, carrots are great for your eyesight. This is no myth! Vitamin A helps in the production of rhodopsin, something necessary for your retina’s!

You can be assured that while enjoying this delicious Brown Sugar Honey Carrots side dish you are taking a bite at helping your eyesight!

Craving More?

If you give this Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Carrots recipe a taste be sure to leave a 5-Star rating and comment down below! This really supports me and entices others to also give the recipe a go!

You can also share a photo of your creation by tagging me on Instagram! I’d love to see how it turned out!

You may also want to try my:

• Creamed Corn Casserole with Bread Crumbs
• Carrot-Shaped Veggie Pizza
• Hot Honey Brussel Sprouts
• Easy Air Fryer Red Potatoes and Onion

The Best Brown Sugar Honey Carrots

Lauren Klein, MS RDN

These Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Carrots make the perfect side dish to a weeknight dinner or a holiday meal!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 28 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4 People

Calories 73 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Baking Sheet
• 1 Bowl Small

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 5 Carrots
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 Teaspoon Honey
• 3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar Light
• 1/4 Teaspoon Salt

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit.
• Clean and peel your carrots.
  
• Cut the carrots in half lengthwise. Cut those piece in half. If necessary, cut thick pieces lengthwise again. You are aiming to get all carrots to be similar in size. Place on a stone baking sheet.
  
• In a bowl combine: olive oil, honey, brown sugar, and salt. Mix thoroughly. Cover and spread over carrots.
• Cook in the oven for 15 minutes. Then, flip the carrots over and cover with any brown sugar honey topping on pan. Cook for additional 15 minutes, or until they are desired level of tender.
• When serving top with parsley and flakey salt, if desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1.25CarrotsCalories: 73kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 0.5gFat: 0.25g

Keyword Appetizer, Carrot

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