Get Your Plate in Shape: Dinner

In honor of National Nutrition Month we’re sharing meal ideas that follow the USDA’s MyPlate guidelines. We’ve done breakfast and lunch, now it's dinner time.

By: Toby Amidor, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.

Related To:

sausage lasagna

Sausage Lasagna

Photo by: Tara Donne ©Tara Donne

Tara Donne, Tara Donne

In honor of National Nutrition Month we’re giving you meal ideas that follow the USDA’s MyPlate recommendations. We’ve covered breakfast and lunch—now it's dinner time.

The Guidelines

Ending the day with a well-balanced meal is important. This is your last big change to take in any nutrients you may not have gotten enough of during the day. For example, if you have pasta primavera for lunch, be sure to include 3 to 4 ounces of protein for dinner. If you didn’t get in all your fruits during the day, make sure to add one for dessert.

Meal 1: Lasagna

Sausage Lasagna

Green Salad With Strawberry-Balsamic Vinaigrette

Baked Banana With Cinnamon and Honey

Food groups: protein, grain, dairy, fruit, veggie

Meal 2: Chicken Stew

1 cup mixed greens with 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinaigrette

Mexican Chicken Stew

1 small whole wheat roll

Minted Fruit Salad

Food groups: protein, grain, fruit, veggie

Meal 3: Chicken

Oven Fried Chicken

Adobo Rice and Black Beans

Blackened Green Beans

1 cup sliced strawberries topped with 1 tablespoon whipped cream

Food groups: protein, grain, fruit, veggie

Meal 4: Salmon

¾ cup cooked brown rice

1 cup skim, low-fat or soy milk

Food groups: protein, grain, dairy, veggie

Meal 5: Beef

Slow Cooker Beef With Root Vegetables

1 cup skim, low-fat or soy milk

1 cup sliced cantaloupe

Food groups: protein, dairy, fruit, veggie

Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian and consultant who specializes in food safety and culinary nutrition. See Toby's full bio »

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