Our readers sent in their very best recipes that meet their special diet needs. From gluten-free and vegan to low-carb and light, you’d never know these healthy your way contest winners anything but delicious.
Presenting the Winners from Our Healthy Your Way Contest
Updated on Apr. 12, 2021
1/12
Gluten-Free Brownie Bars
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I can’t eat dairy or gluten, but these gluten-free brownie bars are a satisfying substitute. The brownies will still seem soft when you pull them from the oven. They are done when the edges look very lightly browned. —Linda Speranza, Buckeye, Arizona
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Nutrition Facts:
1 bar: 266 calories, 19g fat (5g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 131mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein.
2/12
1st Place: Sheet-Pan Jambalaya with Cauliflower Rice
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Sheet-pan dinners are a busy cook's dream with quick prep and easy cleanup. This sheet-pan jambalaya is a healthy twist on a classic that uses cauliflower rice for a lower-carb supper. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 366 calories, 23g fat (6g saturated fat), 158mg cholesterol, 1301mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 29g protein.
3/12
2nd Place:Breakfast BLT Waffles
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm not a big fan of sweets for breakfast, but I love a crisp waffle. My son and I tried these BLT waffles, and they were a huge success! We used gluten-free, dairy-free waffles with fantastic results. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 382 calories, 26g fat (9g saturated fat), 228mg cholesterol, 695mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 18g protein.
4/12
3rd Place: Garlic Mozzarella Bread Bites
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These garlic bread bites are ridiculously easy to make and insanely tasty! To make them extra cheesy, sprinkle the tops with more mozzarella cheese after taking them out of the oven the second time, and then return them to the oven until the cheese is melted. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce. —Anna Bowden, Littleton, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 144 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 224mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
5/12
Runner-Up: Red Lentil Hummus with Brussels Sprout Hash
Total Time
35 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Instead of chickpeas, this red lentil hummus uses lentils to create a hearty, healthful appetizer. The Brussels sprout topping makes this feel more special than plain hummus, but you can serve it without the topping too. —Carolyn Manning, Seattle, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 154 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 226mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 4g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 starch.
6/12
Runner-Up: Mean Green Smoothie Bowls
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This delicious bright green smoothie bowl recipe contains powerful antioxidants. Top with cucumber slices and fresh parsley sprigs for a pretty presentation. —Laura Wilhelm, West Hollywood, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 smoothie bowl: 79 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 22mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable.
7/12
Runner-Up: Chocolate Date Energy Balls
Total Time
20 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Eating just one of these healthy treats satisfies my sweet tooth without added refined sugar. My recipe is a spinoff of an energy ball my daughter made for me when I was testing for my tae kwon do black belt. —Barbara Estabrook, Appleton, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 ball: 125 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 25mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein.
8/12
Runner-Up: Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
1 serving
From the Recipe Creator:
These strawberry overnight oats will be ready and waiting for you in the morning. ThePB&J-inspired breakfast is both gluten-free and dairy-free. Use more or less sugar depending on the sweetness of the strawberries. —Jolene Martinelli, Fremont, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 352 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 183mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 12g fiber), 10g protein.
9/12
Runner-Up: Best Ever Cashew Cheese Sauce
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a versatile cashew cheese sauce that's totally plant-based. I use it as a pasta sauce, as a pizza topping, over roasted veggies, on tacos and for grilled cheese. Because it doesn't reheat well, I don't suggest making a double batch. —Max Gregor, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup: 245 calories, 18g fat (3g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 329mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
10/12
Runner-Up: Pear Quinoa Breakfast Bake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I enjoy quinoa, so I created this pear breakfast bake for our Sunday brunch. The quinoa is a nice change of pace from oatmeal. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 267 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 49mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 4g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 fat, 2 starch.
11/12
Runner-Up: Gluten-Free Spiced Sweet Potato Muffins
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I have a family member with special dietary needs, so I came up with these gluten-free sweet potato muffins that we could all enjoy. These are just as good as any traditional recipe, maybe better! If you don't have sweet potato on hand, canned pumpkin may be used instead. —Kallee Krong-Mccreery, Escondido, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 muffin: 231 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 217mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein.
12/12
Most Innovative: Vegan Chocolate Mousse
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My son is allergic to dairy and eggs, so I created this silky vegan chocolate mousse recipe that he could enjoy. It's also gluten-free and grain-free. If you're having company over, it can be prepared the night before and stored in the refrigerator. —Sarah Meuser, New Milford, Connecticut
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup: 310 calories, 18g fat (7g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 149mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 8g fiber), 5g protein.
