For anyone trying to lose weight, finding delicious and healthy recipes can be time consuming. But, if you make it a point to include these five power foods into your meals, then you can lose the weight you have been battling.

1. Salmon

Salmon has plenty of nutrients, including the healthy omega-3 fatty acids that really pack a punch when you are trying to boost your metabolism. Enjoy this rich protein regularly.

2. Cucumbers

Cucumbers are made up of about 90% water, so they are perfect for helping you fight bloating. They make for a delicious, refreshing and crunchy snack, that has almost no calories!

3. Strawberries

Recent research shows that people who eat strawberries as an in-between-meal snack eat nearly 140 fewer calories during their next meal. With tons of vitamins and nutrients, this is certainly a great choice!

4. Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts are not only tasty, but they are also packed with monounsaturated fats that help you to burn belly fat. In addition, they are filled with fibre, folate, and potassium, all necessary for a healthy metabolism!

5. Eggs

Eating two eggs will get you about ¼ of the protein that you need for an entire day. When you eat eggs for breakfast, you are less likely to experience cravings throughout the day.

These are not the only great foods that you should keep handy in your refrigerator. The following is a list of healthy ingredients that will help boost fat burning, and also allow you to use the foods listed above to create delicious recipes!

· Spinach

· Balsamic vinegar

· Full fat Greek yoghurt

· Fresh dill

· Dijon mustard

· Mustard seed

· Whole grain Ezekiel bread

· Apple cider vinegar

· Honey

· Sugar

· Feta cheese

Check out these tasty recipes that incorporate many of the above ingredients and give you delicious meals with fat burning qualities.

1. Breakfast Options

Try having a “salmon scramble” for a delicious breakfast option. First, sauté 3 ounces of raw salmon, sliced thin, in ½ teaspoon of olive oil, until fish is opaque. This will take 1-2 minutes. Next, add two beaten eggs and scramble the mixture until desired doneness. Serve hot, with 1 cup of spinach on top. Drizzle a mixture of 1 teaspoon olive oil and 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar.

2. Lunch Options

Try this “devilled egg and cucumber sandwich” recipe for a great lunchtime option. First, slice two hard-boiled eggs in half and mash the yolks with a fork. Mix together egg yolks, 1 teaspoon Greek yoghurt, ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard, and 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill. Spoon the mixture into the emptied egg whites. On one slice of Ezekiel bread with the crust removed, spread Dijon mustard and slice into 4 diagonal pieces. Top each piece with two cucumber slices, one piece of feta cheese, and one devilled egg. Enjoy!

3. Snack Options

When you need a healthy snack in the middle of the day, reach for some “quick pickles.” Slice cucumbers and sprinkle ½ teaspoon salt over the top. Let them sit for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, mix 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill, ½ teaspoon mustard seed and 1 teaspoon sugar, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Once the mixture cools, pour it over the sliced cucumbers. Enjoy!

4. Dinner Options

Dress up your salads, and try the “hazelnut crusted salmon with strawberries and cucumbers salad” option tonight! Mix 2 tablespoons of chopped hazelnuts with 1 teaspoon olive oil, and add salt and pepper to taste. Use this mixture to coat a 4 ounce piece of salmon. Bake the salmon at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8-10 minutes, until it is flaky. On a plate, take ¼ cup sliced strawberries and ½ cup sliced cucumbers and mix together, sprinkle with 1 ounce crumbled feta and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

5. Dessert Options

Looking for a sweet treat? Try making some nutty strawberry yoghurt bark. Mix one teaspoon honey with ½ cup Greek yoghurt, 1 teaspoon chopped hazelnuts, and 1 chopped strawberry. Spread the mixture evenly in a glass dish and freeze for about 3 hours. Let the bark sit at room temperature for a few minutes, then slice and enjoy!

Healthy eating and weight loss does not have to be boring. Try these simple yet delicious recipes today!