Think seasonally. Plan meals around fresh produce, like strawberries, green beans, zucchini and cucumbers. Typically, in-season foods are cheaper, so it's good for your wallet, too.
A 7-Day Meal Plan Using Summer Produce
Updated on Mar. 05, 2024
1/6
Sunday: Barbecued Strawberry Chicken
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When it’s time to impress family and friends, we serve barbecued chicken garnished with strawberries. It’s easier than anyone would ever guess. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken breast half with 1/3 cup sauce: 495 calories, 17g fat (5g saturated fat), 109mg cholesterol, 829mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (42g sugars, 2g fiber), 35g protein.
2/6
Monday: Veggie Nicoise Salad
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
More and more people in my workplace are becoming vegetarians. When we cook or eat together, the focus is on fresh produce. This salad combines some of our favorite ingredients in one dish—and with the hard-boiled eggs and kidney beans, it also delivers enough protein to satisfy those who are skeptical of vegetarian fare. —Elizabeth Kelley, Chicago, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 329 calories, 19g fat (4g saturated fat), 140mg cholesterol, 422mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 7g fiber), 12g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat, 2 vegetable, 2 medium-fat meat, 11/2 starch.
3/6
Wednesday: Sheet-Pan Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Bake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to make this seafood dinner for company because it tastes amazing, but takes very little effort to throw together. Use asparagus, Broccolini or a mix of the two. It’s all about what's available for a decent price. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 394 calories, 17g fat (8g saturated fat), 168mg cholesterol, 535mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 6g fiber), 25g protein.
4/6
Thursday: Garlic-Grilled Chicken with Pesto Zucchini Ribbons
Total Time
45 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The first time I substituted zucchini noodles for regular pasta, it was because I was trying to reduce carbohydrates and calories. Now I make them because we love the flavor and texture they bring to dishes. This dish is just as delicious if you substitute shrimp for the chicken. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken breast half with 1-1/2 cup zucchini noodles: 397 calories, 18g fat (6g saturated fat), 116mg cholesterol, 636mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 44g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 6 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable.
5/6
Friday: Teriyaki Shish Kabobs
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was a teenager, my father worked for an airline, and my family lived on the island of Guam in the South Pacific. A friend of my mother gave her this tangy-sweet recipe, and we enjoyed it often. Now I make it for my family, and they're big fans as well. —Suzanne Pelegrin, Ocala, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 306 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 1203mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (32g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein.
6/6
Saturday: Feta Chicken Burgers
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My friends always request these tasty chicken burgers. I sometimes add olives to punch up the flavor! The burgers are exceptional with the mayonnaise-cucumber topping. —Angela Robinson, Findlay, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 burger with 1 tablespoon sauce: 356 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 95mg cholesterol, 703mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 2 starch, 1/2 fat.
