Dr Chintal Patel's healthy family meal plan

"This meal is a complete hug in a bowl. Substituting half of the rice for quinoa not only adds extra wholegrain goodness but also boosts the meal's fibre and protein content. Alternatively, wholegrain brown rice serves as an excellent alternative. A squeeze of lemon juice is an excellent way to include vitamin C, aiding in the absorption of iron from the lentils and spinach." — Dr Chintal Patel

"This traybake is incredibly simple and includes your recommended one portion of oily fish per week, featuring trout fillets as a more sustainable option. However, feel free to substitute them with another oily fish like salmon. For even cooking, use a large tray approximately 45cm x 35cm." — Dr Chintal Patel

"This recipe highlights the versatility of frozen vegetables and pantry essentials, and it's completely vegan. Incorporating blended silken tofu into sauces is one of my favourite methods to add vegan protein to meals. Serve this dish with chopped pistachios and nutritional yeast for added flavour." — Dr Chintal Patel

"This fajita recipe is a staple in our kitchen, as it's an effortless way to include colourful vegetables in your diet and achieve of your five-a-day'. You can switch the protein source from halloumi to paneer, tofu or even chicken strips if preferred. It's easily adaptable too, allowing for seasonal vegetable substitutions." — Dr Chintal Patel

"An ideal Friday night recipe that captures all the takeaway vibes but is conveniently made at home in no time. This vegan option is perfect for Veganuary, but tofu can easily be replaced with alternative proteins like paneer or chicken. You can also include a couple of eggs in the vegetable noodles, and feel free to swap out the vegetables for seasonal alternatives." — Dr Chintal Patel

"An elegant and effortlessly prepared meal, perfect for a Saturday night in or a special date night. Cauliflower offers a wonderfully creamy alternative to potatoes in the mash, and by incorporating carrots, you've already checked off two of your five-a-day and added diversity to the dish. No need to peel your carrots – a thorough scrub helps retain the fibre content. Feel free to substitute the broccoli with any seasonal vegetables of your choice, too." — Dr Chintal Patel

"With a flavoursome miso marinade and a topping of gravy, this is packed with umami goodness. I’ve used seasonal vegetables for the traybake base adding lots of variety, colours and fibre. When buying miso, always go for fresh miso found in the fridge section. This fermented paste is a great source of probiotics to support gut health." — Dr Chintal Patel