More than one-third of U.S. adults are currently obese. That's 38% of the population. The good news is that cooking at home with healthy weight loss recipes can make a difference, but it’s going to be a lot of work.

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Why is obesity so prevalent?

Almost half of the adult population of the United States is obese and it’s getting harder to believe that this is a simple problem of over-indulgence and poor self-control. So many are affected by this disease that it’s forcing us to take a look at what’s going on in our culture as a whole.

One trend is obvious: More adults are eating out now more than ever before. While you think you may be eating better, restaurants actually tend to use more oils and fats, more sugar and more salt in their food preparation. They do this to make their food taste better—they just don’t tell you about the extra calories!

Portion size is also something you should watch out for. Restaurant meals are often 3-4 times larger than normal portion sizes. Sure, we can try to eat a normal portion size; but generally, if there’s food in front of us—we’re going to eat it. When you cook at home, it’s easier to control portion size and healthy ingredients. If you want to lose weight, you should give cooking at home a try with these three healthy weight loss recipes.

Healthy weight loss recipes:

- Healthy breakfast weight-loss recipe: Baked Oatmeal: Preheat the oven to 375'. Combine 2 cups of uncooked quick-cooking oats, ½ cup of packed brown sugar, 1/3 cup raisins, 1 tablespoon of chopped walnuts and 1 teaspoon of baking powder in a medium bowl. Combine 1 and a half cups of milk, ½ cup of applesauce, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, and 1 large beaten egg. Add milk mixture to oat mixture and stir well. Pour oat mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375' for 20 minutes and serve warm.

- Healthy lunch weight loss recipe: Nachos with Chicken and Black Beans: Preheat the oven to 425'F. Arrange six ounces of round tortilla chips in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Spoon one can of rinsed and drained black beans evenly over the chips, then top with 1 ½ cups of shredded Monterey Jack cheese,  one cup of cooked, shredded chicken and ½ of a red, diced onion. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling. Remove. Next, combine the juice from two limes, ½ of a cup of light sour cream and chopped cilantro salsa. Spoon over the nachos. Top with the salsa and jalapenos. Enjoy!

- Healthy dinner weight loss recipe: Macaroni and Cheese: Preheat the oven to 375'F. Melt two tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add half of an onion (yellow, minced) and cook until soft and translucent (but not browned), for about three minutes. Add two tablespoons of flour and stir to incorporate into the butter. Pour in three cups of milk a few tablespoons at a time, using a whisk to incorporate the flour and prevent lumps from forming. When all the milk has been added, allow the sauce to simmer for 10 minutes, until it begins to thicken. Stir in two cups of shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese and season with salt and pepper. Next, cook one pound of elbow, macaroni, penne or shell pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and return to the pot. Add the cheese sauce, ¼ cup of chopped Pickled Jalapenos and two ounces of prosciutto, cut into thin strips. Stir to fully incorporate. Divide the mixture among 6 individual crocks or pour into a large baking dish. Top with ½ cup of panko bread crumbs and sprinkle with ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese. Bake for 10 minutes. Turn on the broiler and broil until the bread crumbs are golden brown and crispy, for about another 3 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Following a recipe can be a lot of work. If you are short on time, you may want to try a healthy diet food delivery service. We have programs designed for both men and women, to fit your lifestyle.