Did you make a New Year’s resolution to eat more healthily? Well we have just the thing to get you going with this roundup of 17 healthy foods to start the New Year right.
The new year is here, so now is the time to start on that resolution. Commit to eating more healthily and work off some of that festive cheer with some exercise.
We have put together 17 healthy foods covering breakfasts, appetizers and salads, entrees (mains), sides as well as 2 items you should always have on hand.
You might also like our collections of popular dinner recipes, vegetarian recipes, seafood recipes and winter comfort foods from around the world.
Within the list below the country the recipe is from is provided as reference. You can find a full 3-4 course dinner menu for each country we have featured on Compass & Fork if you would like to expand dinner to a night of entertaining family and friends.
Each country we have featured has many of their traditional recipes on Compass & Fork. You can find them using either the Recipe Search – by cuisine, or the drop down menu at the top of the page under Recipes | By Cuisine. Featured destinations on Compass & Fork include: Italy, Turkey, Patagonia, Bulgaria, Vietnam, Uruguay, both Melbourne and Tasmania (Australia), Thailand, Peru, Greece and Cyprus, Cambodia and Laos, Bulgaria, USA and Uruguay.
Most of these recipes are quite easy to prepare. If you can’t find the ingredients locally, please check the Compass & Fork shop, there are links to where to purchase the items online. (Most of the recipes contain a link to the item in the shop as well, so you can find them easily.)
So without further ado here are our 17 healthy foods to start the New Year right.
Breakfast: 17 Healthy Foods to Start the New Year Right
Many experts claim breakfast is the most important start of the day. Here are 3 of our favorites.
Healthy Avocado Smash for Breakfast | Australia
Avocado smash has been popular in Australia for many years. Click on the link or the picture to find out why and to discover great cafes to enjoy a breakfast in Melbourne.
Healthy Pomegranate Breakfast | Turkey
We found pomegranates (a super food) everywhere in Turkey. Click on the link or the picture to discover all of the health benefits of the 4 ingredients which make up this refreshing breakfast.
Simple Home Made Muesli with Yogurt, Rhubarb, and Honey | Australia
No matter where we are in the world, this is our go to breakfast. Find out how to make home made muesli (a healthier version of granola). Add a dollop of yogurt and some poached rhubarb and you have a brilliantly, healthy breakfast.
Appetizers & Salads: 17 Healthy Foods to Start the New Year Right
Turkish Meze Platter | Turkey
Looking for some healthy appetizers? Just look at those vibrant colors. Find out about real Turkish meze and make these carrot, red bell pepper, beet and mixed olive salad. Impress your friends.
How to Make the Best Beet with Goat Cheese and Walnut Salad | Uruguay
Not strictly from Uruguay, but a salad we often made to accompany the brilliant steaks available in this wonderfully friendly country. Goats cheese, beets, walnuts? How can you go wrong?
Easy Greek Village Salad from Naxos Revisited | Greece
This is our version of Greek salad (called village salad on the Greek Islands). Feta cheese, with fresh salad vegetables, olives and a healthy dressing. Read more about island life in Greece as well as the joys of eating in a taverna.
Peruvian Ceviche How to Make This Classic at Home | Peru
Ceviche is the pride and joy of South America and with good reason. Fresh fish “cooked” in citrus with a few healthy trimmings provides a refreshing and light appetizer.
Turkish Warm Lentil Salad Recipe | Turkey
Of all the places we have visited, we think Turkey has the healthiest diet. And just look at the vibrant colors in this warm and somewhat filling salad.
Entrees (Mains): 17 Healthy Foods to Start the New Year Right
Blue Corn Fish Tacos | USA
Learn how to make blue corn tacos, tomatillo chipotle salsa and how to put it altogether to make these delicious blue corn fish tacos. The trimmings include avocado, corn and cilantro (coriander).
Authentic Stuffed Cabbage Rolls from Bulgaria an Easy Dinner | Bulgaria
Who would have thought that cabbage tastes this good. The meat stuffing is divine and here is a dish which is filling. Just perfect for the winter months.
Genuine Greek Baked Beans Full of Taste – Gigantes Plaki | Greece
Baked beans are found throughout the world. This vegetarian dish is hearty, filling, easy on the pocket and another great dish for winter.
Patagonian Fish with Leek and Red Bell Pepper Sauce | Patagonia
This dish from the bottom of South America features a red bell pepper, tomato and leek-based sauce. It pairs perfectly with thick fish fillets.
Sides (Veggies): 17 Healthy Foods to Start the New Year Right
Roasted Asparagus with Garlic a Fresh, Easy Gourmet Side Dish | Australia
Just a couple of minutes to cook fresh, young asparagus in the oven with just a dash of olive oil and garlic. Could it be any simpler?
You Need to Know How to Make Stir Fried Vegetables | Thailand
Another of our go to dishes when we feel the need to increase our veggie intake. You can basically use whatever fresh vegetables are available to make this healthy, popular dish.
How to Make Simple Healthy Sauerkraut with 2 Ingredients | USA
Learn about the strong, German influence in Cincinnati as well as how to make real, fermented sauerkraut. It’s healthier than store bought and cheap to make.
Foods to Always Have on Hand: 17 Healthy Foods to Start the New Year Right
How to Make Labna Cheese From Yogurt | Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey
Do you know what labna is? Find out about the magic of yogurt and how you can easily make a much thicker version of it. Great to just have in the refrigerator, it can be added to a healthy breakfast or used in healthy dips.
Roasted Chickpeas the Ultimate Healthy Snack | Turkey
Roasted chickpeas (garbanzo beans) are sold on almost every street corner in Turkey. Forget the potato chips/crisps and try these instead.
Eileen Kelly
Lovely recipes to stay on track to healthy eating! I will be sharing with my facebook recipe group “RecipeJoy” These are wonderful recipes!
Editor
Thank you so much Eileen. January is such a good time to hit the reset button.
Mikaela | wyldflour
Definitely going to need these to stick to resolutions!!
Editor
Yes there is an upside to it though. Think of all the goodness your body is receiving,
Sasha @ Eat Love Eat
So much good food!
Editor
Yes isn’t great to have variety and choices.
Lynne Curry
What a creative and inspiring round up! Love all of these ideas and wish I could plug them all into a meal plan today!
Editor
Thank you Lynne. There is a little of everything in this round up. After the excesses of the festive season, it is always a good idea to get back on an even keel in January!
Katrin
What a lot of great ideas and different flavours in one article!
Editor
There is nothing like a bit of variety – the spice of life.
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
I would eat every single one of these dishes. I love seeing what other countries are famous for. My favorite and first try will be the Turkish Warm Lentil Salad recipe! But it will be fun working my way through them. 🙂
Editor
As you can see, we have featured a few healthy meals from Turkey. We were lucky enough to visit there and we have a very high opinion of the Turkish diet. So healthy and colorful.
Janette@CulinaryGinger.com
This is a wonderful collection of recipes that I would love to make my way through. Thank you for sharing.
Editor
Thanks Janette. We love tasting foods from different cultures. There is so much to learn in terms of nutrition and healthy living from other parts of the world.
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
That Turkish Meze Platter looks phenomenal! Love the colors – it’s so bright and vibrant. We eat with our eyes first, don’t we?
Editor
Isn’t that the truth Lisa? We also find that most colorful foods (especially anything red) are also the most healthy. We were lucky to visit Turkey, where mezes are eaten everyday and we fell in love them.
Platter Talk
Great assortment of healthy ideas. I’m going to start with the the Turkish Meze!
Editor
Yes the Turkish Mezes are food for the eyes. In Turkey there are literally hundreds of mezes to choose from. Such a healthy and delicious way to start a meal, not to mention the enhanced social interactions of sharing food at the table.