Celebrating holidays (even Hallmark ones) while trying to lose weight on the 17 Day Diet can be tough!
However, when you have a slew of healthy and yummy recipes in your vault, celebratory meals can be a piece of cake (not literally!!).
I don’t know about you, but growing up we usually celebrated every single holiday with meals – sometimes this meant going out to a restaurant, and other times it meant a home-cooked meal (you know the special meals your mother used to make once or twice a year).
If you’re all about staying in this Mother’s Day and keeping it healthy, too, here are a few ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner to help celebrate your mother (or to celebrate you!!).
I updated this post to include a few more of my favorite dinner recipes that you must try!
Oh, and did I mention there are a few healthy dessert ideas at the very bottom? Well, keep reading and you’ll find them!
The bonus: all these ideas are approved for cycle 1 of the 17 Day Diet.
Breakfast Ideas for Mother’s Day
I remember as a kid giving my mom a “breakfast in bed” for mother’s day, along with those homemade cards telling her how much I loved and appreciated her.
Here are a few of those breakfasts ideas that would be perfect in bed (ask your kids to make these for you), or you can make them yourself if your kids are grown and out of the house! Either way, it’s time to celebrate with a healthy breakfast!
Waffle Omelettes
Aren’t these omelettes a great idea? This is a recipe from community member, Tracy P.
She used all types of flavor combinations, so really the sky is the limit with this recipe.
Skillet Garden Eggs
If you don’t have a skillet, it’s OK. You can improvise. This recipe is a yummy way to incorporate some veggies into your breakfast, plus it’s an easy, yet elegant meal for mothers!
Veggie Egg Cups
These would be perfect made the night before if you need a quick grab-and-go type of meal before your Mother’s Day hike! This is a simple recipe submitted by community member, Janice B.
Lunch Ideas for Mother’s Day
Tuna Cakes with Lemon Dijon Sauce
If you’ve never tried this recipe, you need stop what you’re doing and make it asap! It’s that good! Now, if you’re not a fan of tuna, any type of canned meat will do just fine. If you’re on Cycle 2, take a peek at this low-carb crab cake recipe.
Oh, and by the way, the sauce is the best part!
MaryPat’s Creamy Apple, Carrot & Cauliflower Soup
If you’re wanting to do a meatless type of lunch that’s not only refreshing, but filled with nutrient-rich veggies and fruit, this is a must-have! This dish was created by community member, MaryPat. Don’t you just love her photo of her bowl of soup?
Buffalo Chicken Salad With Greek Yogurt
I’ll admit, this recipe was an afterthought. But, it’s only because I totally forgot about it when curating these menu ideas! I promise! If you enjoy the buffalo wing sauce flavor, you’ll totally adore this salad!
Tuna and Egg Salad (mayo free)
Yes, I’ve included two tuna dishes for mother’s day celebrations. I’m only including this one because it’s super light and quick and easy to make. If you’re not a fan of tuna, try canned salmon or chicken instead.
Dinner Ideas for Mother’s Day
Chicken Lombardy
This is a new recipe idea for Mother’s Day that you definitely need to try! It’s a bit on the cheesy side (cheese is allowed on the 17 Day Diet), so go a bit easy on this one. By the way, leftovers are so flavorful, so don’t be afraid to heat up another serving the next day!
Baked Fresh Herb Parmesan-Crusted Chicken
Of course we have to include our best friend chicken on this list! Chicken, when using fresh herbs, can be your VERY best friend when it comes to weight loss. Here’s a recipe you’ll want to try as soon as you can!
Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas with Cauliflower
Here’s another new recipe I added to the list of recipe ideas for Mother’s Day. This dish is probably one of my all-time favorite dinners. It freezes well and leftovers are as delicious as right out of the oven.
My secret ingredient is the particular brand of salsa, so hop on over and give it a try!
Chicken Caesar Kebabs
OK, I couldn’t have a menu without a yummy chicken kebab! Especially if it’s warm where you live, then it might be time to break out the grill and have an elegant dinner with mom!
Not Your Momma’s Shepherd’s Pie
What’s a Mother’s Day without a shepherd’s pie?The great thing about this recipe is that it’s really healthy for you! The otherwise traditional mashed potato topping is made with cauliflower instead.
If you make this for dinner, don’t tell family members it’s topped with cauliflower and they’ll never know!
Dessert Ideas for Mother’s Day
Low-Fat Low-Carb Mini Cheesecakes
Yes, dessert is allowed on the 17 Day Diet! Yes, cheesecake can be healthy! If you have somehow missed this recipe from my blog, get right on over and make it stat!!
Ann’s Creamy Fruit Freeze
Community member, Ann B., creator of this yummy dessert, must have been thinking of the tropics during the middle of a cold, Canadian winter when she made this! We have Ann to thank for another healthy dessert!
I’d love to know which recipe ideas you chose for your Mother’s Day celebration!
A Quick Overview of All The Recipe Ideas for Mother’s Day
Here’s a quick overview of all the recipes featured in this post.
Here's a list of my favorite recipe ideas for Mother's Day (or any day for that matter). All of your favorite veggies in a waffle omelette! A yummy breakfast dish with all of your favorite garden veggies! An easy grab-and-go breakfast that's healthy and yummy! The star in this simple recipe is the Lemon Dijon Sauce! The flavor combination in this soup is out of this world! When you're looking for something simple to make with a ton of flavor, this Buffalo Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt is going to hit the spot! When you're looking for the classic tuna salad without all the extra fat, look no further! Bold and rich flavors are featured in this Chicken Lombardy recipe. Chicken broth is used in place of traditional Marsala Wine and it's perfect for any low-carb diet! Fresh herbs makes everything taste better! This will likely be your new favorite dish after you taste it for the first time! It's my fave and it's on my monthly rotation! Yummy Caesar flavor without all the carbs and extra fat! Turning what is a normally carb-rich dinner into a light and healthy Shepherd's Pie using cauliflower, is a game changer! Yummy mini cheesecakes without all the sugar and guilt! A yummy and healthy dessert from community member, Ann B.Recipe Ideas for Mother's Day
Waffle Omelettes
Skillet Garden Eggs
Veggie Egg Cups
Tuna Cakes with Lemon Dijon Sauce
MaryPat’s Creamy Apple, Carrot & Cauliflower Soup
Buffalo Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt
Tuna and Egg Salad (mayo-free and yummy!)
Chicken Lombardy
Baked Fresh Herb Parmesan-Crusted Chicken
Green Chili Chicken Enchilada with Cauliflower
Chicken Caesar Kebabs
Not Your Momma’s Shepherd’s Pie
Low-Fat Low-Carb Mini Cheesecakes (17DD Friendly)
Ann's Creamy Fruit Freeze
I’ve been loving the 17 Day Diet since 2011. I love sharing my favorite healthy recipes and meal plans to keep you motivated and on the right path to success!
When I’m not hanging out here, I enjoy quick trips to the Oregon Coast, designing my jewelry line, being a proud Swiftie, and tinkering with my personal Youtube Channel!
Are you new to the 17 Day Diet? Check out my latest book, Fast Track Your Weight Loss With The 17 Day Diet on Amazon! (aff link)