All of these recipes are nutrient dense. What does that mean? Nutrient dense foods are those which provide a large amount of the Daily Value of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein in an inverse ratio to the calories. In other words, deep fried potato chips are full of 'empty calories' in that there are few nutrients and a whole lot of calories per serving. Nutrient dense foods, such as the Beef Stew below, provide more than 50% of your daily requirement of Vitamins A and C, and 45% of your protein needs, all in only about 400 calories.
Many crockpot recipes can be updated to make them healthier. Use low fat meats, trim meats of excess fat, choose lower calorie cheeses, dairy products, and sauces, and increase healthy foods in the recipe. Most crockpot recipes can be significantly changed and they'll still work just fine. For instance, substitute peeled cubed sweet potatoes for regular potatoes and you'll up the Vitamin A content in the recipe by about 200%. Using brown rice instead of white rice will increase the fiber content by about 50%. And here's the easiest way to make sure that the foods you serve are healthy: create a colorful plate. The more colors on your plate, the healthier your diet will be.
More Healthy Crockpot Recipes
- Vegetarian Crockpot Chili
Have you discovered meatless crumbles yet? If not, try them in this super simple, hearty recipe. They have the taste and texture of ground beef, but are low fat and even more delicious. - Madras Chicken
This simple recipe is easy to make and full of flavor: apples and onions are one of my favorite combinations, and when mixed with curry powder and chicken, it's a real winner. - Crockpot Chicken and Vegetables
A creamy sauce surrounds chicken, potatoes, onion, and baby carrots in this easy comfort food entree. - Slow Cooker Gingered Beef
Adding seasonings like ginger and garlic help add flavor without increasing the fat or sodium content of any recipe. This spicy dish is so good for you too. - Crockpot Fisherman's Stew
Lots of fish and vegetables make this easy crockpot stew delicious and healthy too. - Crockpot Pork Roast Dinner
A pork roast, flavored with Dijon mustard, tarragon, and garlic, is the superb base for this healthy and low fat dinner. - Crockpot Barley Vegetable Stew
Barley is so delicious; it's nutty and chewy and provides tons of fiber. Serve this fabulous stew with some toasted multigrain rolls. - Crockpot Chicken Alfredo
Broccoli and red bell peppers not only look beautiful, they're packed full of vitamin C. I really like the way that the fettuccine cooks right in the crockpot in this easy recipe. - Crockpot Vegetable Minestrone
Minestrone is simply a vegetable intense thick Italian soup. Use the new whole grain pastas for even more fiber and nutrition. - Vegetarian Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce
I love this recipe: when you get home, cook up some whole wheat pasta and dinner will be on the table in about 15 minutes. - Crockpot Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin is an excellent nutrient dense food, packed with Vitamin A. It's delicious in this easy soup recipe. Use low fat evaporated milk in place of the light cream. - Crockpot Greek Stew
Squash, carrots, garbanzo beans, tomaotes: all combine to make a deliciously flavored healthy stew everyone will love. - Three Bean Cassoulet
Beans, or legumes, are one of the powerhouses of the culinary world. They cook to perfection in your slow cooker too. - Healthy Crockpot Beef Stew
Tomatoes, onions, and green beans add great flavor and nutrition to this simple beef stew. - Spanish Crockpot Chicken
If you eliminate the olives in this flavorful recipe you'll cut the sodium content in half. And the recipe is a great source of Vitamins A and C. - Peachy Crockpot Chicken
With just five ingredients, you'll feed your family 100% of their daily requirement of Vitamin A, and this recipe is so delicious too. - Apricot Pork Roast with Stuffing
This fabulous recipe has the best flavor. I'd chop up some fresh apricots and stir them into the stuffing just before serving to up the Vitamin A content to 70%. - Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork
This colorful and delicious main dish recipe tastes better than your favorite Chinese restaurant. Really! Try it soon.
