The #1 Dinner Hack That Will Change Your Life
Some health experts say that it's good to have a light dinner and to eat heartier meals earlier in the day. However, some studies do show that because weight gain tends to occur when eating more calories later in the day (i.e. extra snacking that occurs because people are hungry), saving those carb-rich, satiating meals for the evening can actually help with weight loss. So is eating a meal packed with carbs the dinner hack we always needed?
Sort of. While it is okay to indulge on a bowl of pasta or a pizza every once in a while, when choosing a carb that will really leave your stomach satisfied for the rest of the evening, the answer will always be potatoes.
Did you know that potatoes are one of the most satiating foods you can eat? According to the Satiety Index of Common Foods, published by the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Sydney, potatoes ended up being the highest in terms of satiety level (i.e. fullness) compared to other carbs. It leaves you feeling three times as full as a slice of average white bread!
Plus, potatoes are low in calories (range between 90 to 100 calories, depending on the potato) and are high in fiber (around 5 grams), which is another key nutrient you need for weight loss.
Between being low in calories, high in fiber, and the best food you can eat that will leave you feeling full for the rest of the evening, potatoes are certainly the food you need in your dinners. So if you're looking for a dinner hack that's still low in calories but leaves you feeling full and satisfied for the rest of the evening, turn towards potatoes—and one of these healthy potato recipes!
For more healthy eating tips, check out our list of 21 Best Healthy Cooking Hacks of All Time.
Crispy Rosemary Potatoes
Classic roasted potatoes are a great side for any meal you want to make. Grill up some salmon or roast chicken alongside these potatoes, and enjoy with a side of roasted broccoli as well.
Get our recipe for Crispy Rosemary Potatoes.
Crispy Cod with Sweet Potato Fries
That's right—making your own fries is a great way to get your potato fix, without all of the excess oils and fats you are getting from the fries you order at a restaurant! Enjoy a side of fries with some of your favorite crispy fish or chicken meals.
Get our recipe for Crispy Cod with Sweet Potato Fries.
Chickpea & Potato Curry
Potato is a great alternative in curry if you're a vegetarian! Paired with the chickpeas, this curry will leave your stomach feeling full the rest of the night.
Get our recipe for Chickpea & Potato Curry.
Sweet Potato Fries
If you simply need a side to go with diner, sweet potato fries are a great option! Plus, sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamin A, which is great for your eye and skin health.
Get our recipe for Sweet Potato Fries.
Oven-Baked French Fries
Not a fan of sweet potatoes? These oven-baked french fries are a great alternative. Plus, if you're skipping the fries you would order at a restaurant, you're actually doing a lot for your body! Here's what happens to your body when you eat french fries.
Get our recipe for Oven-Baked French Fries.
Yukon Gold and Sweet Potato Gratin
Not a fan of crispy potatoes? Mix up the use of your gold and sweet potatoes with this easy gratin recipe. A classy side that can go with practically anything.
Get our recipe for Yukon Gold and Sweet Potato Gratin.
Spicy Turkey Meatballs with Sweet Potatoes
Meatballs don't always have to be paired with pasta, you know! Fries are actually a great side with your favorite meatballs—like these turkey meatballs that are even Whole30 approved!
Get our recipe for Spicy Turkey Meatballs with Sweet Potatoes.
Turkey-Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash
Breakfast for dinner? You don't have to convince us! This breakfast hash is a great dinner idea if you're serving for a few others.
Get our recipe for Turkey-Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash.
Black Bean and Sweet Potato Taco
Potatoes are actually a great filling for tacos—especially for vegetarians! Plus, black beans are the best carb to have for weight loss.
Get our recipe for Black Bean and Sweet Potato Taco.
BBQ Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
Sheet pan dinners are an easy go-to for busy weeknights, and this BBQ chicken sheet pan dinner is one of our favorites! You can dice up sweet potatoes or even regular potatoes. The choice is up to you!
Get our recipe for a BBQ Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner.
Smashed Potatoes
Smashed potatoes are certainly trendy right now, and extremely easy to make if you have mini potatoes you need to use up!
Get our recipe for Smashed Potatoes.
Cinnamon-Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Wild Rice
This salad recipe can work well for dinner and lunch—especially because it's an easy meal you can prep at the beginning of your busy week!
Get our recipe for Cinnamon-Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Wild Rice.
Classic Shephard's Pie
It's a classic healthy casserole you can whip up, and topped with fluffy mashed potatoes!
Get our recipe for Classic Shephard's Pie.
BBQ Pork Shepherd's Pie with Sweet Potato Topping
If you're not a fan of the regular mashed potatoes, this shepherd's pie takes a sweet turn with BBQ pork meat and mashed sweet potato on top!
Get our recipe for BBQ Pork Shepherd's Pie with Sweet Potato Topping.
Zuppa Toscana
Sometimes a filling soup is all you crave for dinner, so pack in the potatoes with this Zuppa Toscana—which you can easily make in your Instant Pot!
Get our recipe for Zuppa Toscana.
Pumpkin-Potato Mash
You can really pack in the fiber with this pumpkin potato mash—the perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving festivities.
Get our recipe for Pumpkin-Potato Mash.
Pork Chile Verde
A slow-cooked meal always sounds like a great idea on a busy weeknight, and this pork chile verde will save you when you're in need of an easy dinner.
Get our recipe for Pork Chile Verde.
Breakfast Burrito
If you're looking to still keep the carb count low, you can always stuff those filling potatoes in a burrito and wrap it in a large collared green!
Get our recipe for a Breakfast Burrito.
Potato Salad
For outdoor barbecues, the potato salad is always a treasure. This potato salad takes a healthy turn by cutting the fatty calories, but still giving you all the benefits of the filling potato that you desire.
Get our recipe for Potato Salad.
Air Fryer Baby Hasselback Potato Bites
Put that air fryer to work with these Hasselback potato bites! They're a great appetizer or even work well as a side with any kind of dinner you plan on whipping up.
Get our recipe for Air Fryer Baby Hasselback Potato Bites.
Bacon and Cheese Twice-Baked Potatoes
If you're in the mood for cheesy potatoes, skip the cheese fries at your local pub and make these twice-baked potatoes instead. They're filling, low in calories, and still satisfy that craving you've had from the start.
Get our recipe for Bacon and Cheese Twice-Baked Potatoes.
Hearty Slow Cooker Green Chile Pork Soup
This hearty green chile pork soup is full of all kinds of great complex carbs (like beans!) that will leave you feeling satisfied at the end of the meal.
Get our recipe for Hearty Slow-Cooker Green Child Pork Soup.
Warm Kale-Quinoa Salad
Roasted potatoes give your salad a natural sweetness and turn your plate of greens from a side dish into the main event.
Get our recipe for Warm Kale-Quinoa Salad.
Herb Roast Chicken with Root Vegetables
If you plan on roasting a bird, potatoes are a great vegetable to add to that roasting pan! They'll soak up all of the delicious flavors from the bird and the seasonings with almost no effort on your end.
Get our recipe for Herb Roast Chicken with Root Vegetables.
Italian Hash with Eggs
Another easy breakfast hash you can enjoy for dinner! This one features kale to give it an extra superfood boost in nutrients.
Get our recipe for Italian Hash with Eggs.
Steak Frites
Why wait to go to a fancy French restaurant to enjoy steak frites when you can easily make it yourself at home?
Get our recipe for Steak Frites.
Maple Balsamic Chicken and Vegetables
This flavorful chicken dish is sweet and savory—the perfect filling dinner after a long day.
Get our recipe for Maple Balsamic Chicken and Vegetables.
Beef Stew in Red Wine
This beef stew is the kind of meal you want to cozy up with on a cold winter evening—filled with flavorful beef in red wine sauce, and of course, slices of potato to round out your meal.
Get our recipe for Beef Stew in Red Wine.
Thai Chicken Curry
Chicken doesn't have to be the only thing in your curry dish! Dice up potatoes to give your bowl of curry an extra boost of fiber and nutrients.
Get our recipe for Thai Chicken Curry.
Need even more ideas? Check out our list of 13 Creative Ways to Use Potatoes.
