Dieting and Special Diet recipe collection

Pasta and peas tosses ditalini macaroni with sweet peas, sauteed mushrooms, and a quick tomato juice sauce. Melted fontina cheese pulls it all together for a 30-minute Italian weeknight dinner for two.

Pasta tossed with four colors of oven-roasted bell peppers, balsamic vinegar, garlic, fresh basil, and olive oil. A vibrant, low-fat sauce bursting with smoky sweetness.

Pasta with red peppers, escarole, white beans, garlic, and lemon zest. A bright, vegan Tuscan-inspired pasta bowl that's low-fat without feeling like a compromise.

Healthy pasta with spiced lentils, tomatoes, and yogurt in a warmly spiced sauce with cumin, coriander, and ginger for a low-fat vegetarian meal.

Low-fat pasta sauce with Italian white beans, tomatoes, ham, and fresh herbs simmered in reduced chicken broth. Spooned over your favorite pasta shape.

If you cannot find fresh peaches, use frozen ones (they will further thicken the smoothie). Peaches were first cultivated in China where they are considered a symbol of immortality and friendship. Nutritionally, they are a good source of selenium and vitamins A and C. Chia seeds are not only a complete protein, but supply the much needed omega-3 fatty acids missing from so many modern diets.

Slow cooker pineapple chicken with Dijon mustard, soy sauce, garlic, and unsweetened pineapple. A low-fat crockpot chicken breast dinner with minimal prep.

Low-fat plum-orange glazed chicken breasts marinated in Chinese plum sauce, fresh ginger, orange juice, and Dijon mustard, then pan-seared until golden.

Pork and pineapple meatballs blend ground pork with crushed pineapple, green onion, and breadcrumbs for sweet-savory fried bites. Easy weeknight tropical main dish ready in 45 minutes.

Most health food stores sell many kinds of whole grain cereals. Follow directions on package, but increase the amount of water by 1/2 cup for every two servings.

Fresh figs poached in port and creme de cassis, the wine reduced to a glossy syrup, served over vanilla frozen yogurt. An elegant, low-fat dessert with deep berry and fig flavor from just a few ingredients.

Pumpkin and avocado oil soup blends pumpkin, fennel and potato into a silky pureed soup, with buttery avocado oil standing in for butter. A light, velvety vegan starter finished with a drizzle of oil.

Vegetarian pumpkin walnut loaf: fresh pumpkin, rice, walnuts and herbs baked together and served with a quick stewed tomato sauce. A fall main dish that doesn't apologize for being meat-free.

This is a wonderful detoxifying and blood cleansing juice. Beetroots are a wonder vegetable and have recently been shown in clinical trials to lower blood pressure. They are also loaded with folic acid (critical during pregnancy) and the mineral silica, which helps the body use calcium more efficiently, thus preventing osteoporosis.

Everyone loves chicken soup so try this quick and easy recipe that can get rid of a cold in no time!

This quick Mexican bean dip is packed with flavor. It can be a dip or a filling to make burrito. Within about 10 minutes, you will be able to enjoy a quick delicious meal.