The best way to lose weight is to enjoy nutritious meals, get plenty of sleep and incorporate movement throughout your day. There are a variety of ways to accomplish each of these strategies, especially when it comes to eating. The great news is that there are limitless ways to enjoy what you eat, even if your focus is on anti-inflammatory foods that also help with weight loss. One example of such a meal is our Roasted Root Veggies & Greens over Spiced Lentils recipe. It’s loaded with nutrients that help promote health and prevent disease, but it’s also packed with flavor and texture, which make eating enjoyable and satisfying.

As a registered dietitian, one of the biggest struggles I’ve heard from patients and clients looking to lose weight is that they get bored easily with food and cooking. They tend to focus on what they can’t have versus what they can have. Usually, once we’ve met, I’m able to explain that unless there’s a medical reason, no foods are “off-limits,” and that the main focus should be on foods that offer nutritional benefits. I point them toward foods with anti-inflammatory properties, like olive oil, fatty fish, legumes and brightly colored vegetables—like the kale and root vegetables in this recipe—that may help protect against the damaging effects of long-term inflammation, including chronic disease. Since I have a culinary background, I also teach them how to prepare these foods, leaning into any cultural preferences to add familiarity. We look at recipes like this one and adjust things like cooking methods and spices to boost acceptance. With a deeper understanding of the food and how to cook it, eating becomes more exciting.

This recipe is a great example of exciting plant-based eating. The inclusion of a variety of spices ensures that this vegan dish is anything but flavorless, and as an added benefit, the spices supply compounds that may reduce inflammation. Lentils are an excellent source of fiber, which can help with the management of blood sugar and promote fullness, a benefit to anyone looking to lose weight. The root vegetables and greens provide fiber as well, and they also provide a variety of vitamins and minerals that offer benefits for everything from gut health to eye health. This recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy a meal that promotes weight management while also helping to protect against inflammation.

If there’s one tip I often give people (those without chronic IBS or other bowel diseases) looking to lose weight while also combating inflammation, it’s to focus on fiber. That shift automatically means you’ll have to move toward more plants like whole grains, beans, legumes, fruits and vegetables. Since most of us (to the tune of about 95% of Americans) aren’t getting enough fiber, it’s a significant adjustment that comes with a positive health impact. Meals that include more fiber are often more satisfying, which can help prevent overeating and therefore promote weight loss. More fiber also means improved digestion and gut health, which can help prevent inflammation. One easy way to chip away at the 28 to 35 grams of fiber you need each day is by enjoying this recipe that offers a whopping 14 grams of fiber per serving (about half your daily needs!).

The flavors and variety of foods in this recipe are part of what makes eating it an exciting experience. I love the texture and meatiness of French lentils, but I also enjoy their earthy flavor that pairs well with other ingredients in the dish. The lentils are cooked on the stovetop with garlic powder and spices to boost flavor, but they could also be prepared in a slow cooker or even an Instant Pot to make things easier. While the lentils cook, you prepare the vegetables by sautéing them in olive oil in a large, hot skillet. I like this method, but I find it easier to toss the roasted root vegetables on a baking sheet and reheat them in the oven. The greens can be added to the baking sheet during the last few minutes of cooking—simply remove the baking sheet from the oven and add the greens, toss to combine and cook until tender, about five more minutes. I love the simple garnish of fresh parsley (which also has vitamin C, known for its anti-inflammatory properties) and either plain yogurt or tahini. 

If you’re looking to try more recipes that include foods that help fight inflammation but also promote weight loss, then you’ll want to add this recipe for Roasted Root Veggies & Greens over Spiced Lentils to your rotation. In less than an hour, you’ll have a plant-forward recipe packed with nutrients that help you feel satisfied and protect against disease—just be sure to roast the root veggies ahead of time, so you’ll have them on hand and ready to reheat, or get them going before you start cooking the lentils.