Home cooking is an age-old way of showing care and appreciation to your loved ones.
That’s why cooking is an ideal gesture for special celebrations like Father’s Day, where the purpose is to express your affection for your dad.
From a nutritional perspective, home-cooked meals are a healthy choice and can make it easier to stick to your nutritional goals in a number of ways. you can:
- Switch ingredients to healthier alternatives, especially when it comes to oils and fats
- Reduce the amount of salt or sugar in your dishes if this is an important part of your nutritional needs
- Control your portions more effectively than prepared foods, to-go orders, or restaurant meals
Best of all, cooking at home means you can avoid the hassle of restaurant reservations on Father’s Day. Avoid the crowds, fire up the grill (or grab the blender) and let Dad know how much he means to you.
5 Best Father’s Day Recipes for Healthy Meals for Dad
Whether your dad prefers a bright and early breakfast on his special day or your family is obsessed with Father’s Day dinner recipes, these delicious Father’s Day treats are sure to make him smile.
1. Banana Oatmeal Greek Yogurt Pancakes
If you want to surprise your dad with the perfect Father’s Day brunch recipe, these Banana Oatmeal Greek Yogurt Pancakes are perfect.
If you want to surprise your dad with the perfect Father’s Day brunch recipe, these Banana Oatmeal Greek Yogurt Pancakes are perfect.
Made with protein and Greek yogurt, they provide 20 grams of protein for a hearty start to the day.
Combine that with the healthy fiber in whole oatmeal, and you’ve got yourself a filling meal that won’t leave dad feeling hungry later.
It’s flavored with ripe banana, almond milk, and vanilla extract, so it’s rich without being overly sweet. Add some sliced oranges on the side for a citrusy kick.
Nutritional information per serving
Calories: 288
Total fat: 3 grams
Saturated fat: 1 gram
Monounsaturated fat: 1 gram
Cholesterol: 3 mg
Sodium: 378 mg
Carbohydrates: 47 grams
Dietary fiber: 6 grams
Sugar: 10 grams
Protein: 20 grams
2. Sweet Potato Crust BBQ Chicken Pizza
This Thin Crust BBQ Chicken Pizza is gluten-free, easy to make, and packed with BBQ flavor.
The crust combines sweet potato puree and almond flour to create a flatbread-style base that brings out the flavor of the barbecue sauce.
Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin A, beta carotene, and minerals like potassium and calcium, which enhance the nutritional value of this meal.
You can garnish the chicken with onions and peppers, or add your own favorite vegetable toppings, such as mushrooms or sliced tomatoes.
Nutritional information per serving
Calories: 383
Total fat: 17 grams
Saturated fat: 1 gram
Monounsaturated fat: 1 gram
Cholesterol: 91 mg
Sodium: 425 mg
Carbohydrates: 33 grams
Dietary fiber: 4 grams
Sugar: 8 grams
Protein: 27 grams
3. One Pan Avocado Steak
What better dinner for dad than a perfectly cooked steak? This recipe calls for frying New York steak in a cast iron skillet.
Serve with green beans and radishes heated in the same pan, then top with creamy avocado butter mixed with scallions and lime juice.
Avocados are delicious and rich in vitamins C, A and K.
Nutritional information per serving
Calories: 279
Total fat: 15 grams
Saturated fat: 6 grams
Monounsaturated fat: 6 grams
Cholesterol: 77 mg
Sodium: 509 mg
Carbohydrates: 11 grams
Dietary fiber: 5 grams
Sugar: 2 grams
Protein: 28 grams
Interesting facts: Did you know MyFitnessPal has over 2,000 recipes in our library? Find all this and more in the app!
4. Pina Colada with chocolate coconut shell
If your dad has a sweet tooth, indulge in this Father’s Day dessert recipe that tastes just like a tropical cocktail.
These pina coladas are made with pineapple and coconut milk, then dipped in a chocolate coconut coating. The rich flavor makes it hard to believe how low in added sugar they are.
Pineapples are rich in vitamins C and B6 as well as calcium and magnesium, so this is a sweet treat you can enjoy.
Nutritional information per serving
Calories: 93
Total fat: 4 grams
Saturated fat: 3 grams
Monounsaturated fat: 0 grams
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 6 mg
Carbohydrates: 9 grams
Dietary fiber: 1 gram
Sugar: 4 grams
Protein: 3 grams
5. High-protein cinnamon rolls
Nothing says “I love you, Dad” like homemade cinnamon rolls.
This version has all the gooey goodness of a classic cinnamon roll, but with added ingredients like Greek yogurt for added protein.
You can swap the brown sugar for coconut sugar for a more nutritious sweetener.
bottom line
For more Father’s Day meal ideas, you can search over 2,000 recipes in the MyFitnessPal app. You’ll find classic dishes and new ideas for Father’s Day and every day in the app’s recipe collection – you’ll even find specialty collections including vegetarian, gluten-free and low-sugar recipes.
Whatever you choose, just know that he will enjoy having you thinking about him. Bon Appetit!
Originally published June 17, 2020, updated 6/4/2024
