MANILA, Philippines – Father’s Day is a perfect occasion to treat your dad to great food.

But if you are keen on watching your father’s health while still enjoying a feast, here are some healthy variations of feel-good and party fare.

They are as delicious yet guilt-free:  

1. Vegetarian lasagna 

Even non-vegetarians love this pasta treat. There’s still the oozing tomato sauce and cheese, though you substitute the meat with vegetables like eggplants and mushrooms. (Mushrooms like shiitake particularly lend a meaty taste.)

If you feel your dad won’t buy into an all-vegetarian lasagna, add some meat, or make your filling half vegetables, half meat.

Here is a sample recipe for vegetarian lasagna:

Remember that you can try other vegetables! If you want to amp up the healthy factor of your lasagna, you can use whole wheat lasagna sheets.

2. Vegetable kebab (aka meat-free barbecue)

Who says only meat tastes great when grilled? Slice and skewer mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, eggplants, cheese, pineapples and other colorful vegetables and dip them in a mean sauce or dressing and you will be surprised how tasty it is! (And it’s so colorful your dad would be tempted to try it!)

Here’s a recipe you can try: 

As with the vegetarian lasagna, a middle-of-the road option is to mix some meat with the vegetables. Make sure the vegetables are the star in your kebab, though!

3. Vegetarian burger 

Probably one of the most sinful yet oh-so-yummy food for dad is the beef burger, especially the type you can buy from fastfood chains. Fret not: there are vegetarian variations that rival the real thing!

Examples of meat substitutes are tofu, black beans and potatoes. If you want a meatier taste, try mushrooms.

Here is a mushroom burger recipe: 

4. Seafood kare-kare 

Is your dad big on Pinoy food? Here’s a healthier version of kare-kare, where the fat-laced pata is usually the star. Just replace the meat with seafood!

For a healthier and easier-to-digest version, you can forego the shrimps and shellfish; just use fish as the seafood for this dish.

5. Bangus sisig

How about pulutan favorites? Does your dad love those?

Try serving him bangus (milkfish) sisig, and see if he doesn’t enjoy it! 

Here’s a recipe you can try:

6. Rainbow salad

Of course, salads are still a staple and top-of-mind when it comes to healthy food. Make your salad colorful and appetizing by making it a rainbow salad (at least having 3 colors or more). 

Try this corn, black bean and mango fandango salad recipe: 

Experiment with fruits and vegetables of different colors!

7. Choco banana pudding 

No celebration meal is complete without dessert. Serve something so decadent yet healthy for dad.

Try choco banana pudding — aside from being delicious, it’s easy to prepare, too. You just need to blend everything and chill, then top with bananas.

Here is the recipe:

A good alternative to cacao powder is carob powder; its taste is similar to chocolate, but without the caffeine.

Bring out your inner chef and whip up something your dad will love you even more for.

Happy Father’s Day to all dads and dads at heart! – Rappler.com