Welcome to Next Gen Natural, a column where we share a Gen Z perspective on natural health and wellness. I’m Michelle—alive’s Social Media Coordinator and creator of the Healthy Num Num food blog. I love healthy living and want to inspire you to integrate wellness into all parts of your life, regardless of your age.
These healthy recipes have taken the social media world by storm—and with good reason. They tick all the right boxes: quick, easy, and undeniably drool-worthy. Plus, many were created by trusted recipe developers with a huge following. From baked feta pasta to cottage cheese ice cream, these hype-worthy dishes are as unique as they are delicious!
01
Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
@jaroflemons3-INGREDIENT COTTAGE CHEESE ICE CREAM ✨ This will transform your life. Every ingredient goes in the blender and freezes so it’s easy to make and only takes 5 minutes of prep time! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ▢ 3 cups cottage cheese ▢ 1/3 cup maple syrup ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Combine the ingredients in a blender and blend for 30 seconds, or until smooth. Pour the ingredients into a metal loaf pan (or ice cream container). Add mix-ins or toppings at this time. Freeze for 3 or more hours, until frozen solid. When ready to enjoy, let the ice cream thaw at room temperature for about 20-25 minutes, then break it up with a spoon before scooping. Use an ice cream scoop to serve, add toppings and enjoy! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ TIPS: -Store Cottage Cheese Ice Cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month. -This recipe can be made even creamier in a Ninja Creami! Simply blend the ingredients, freeze overnight, and then put it in the Creami when ready to enjoy for the best ice cream texture. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Other flavor ideas: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Snickers – Mix in chopped dates, and crushed peanuts, and top with chocolate chips. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Cookies N’ Cream – Add crushed sandwich cookies before freezing! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Strawberry Swirl – Once the ice cream is in the pan, swirl a hearty amount of strawberry chia jam into it, and top with crushed freeze-dried strawberries. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Chocolate Peanut Butter – Swirl in creamy peanut butter and top with chocolate chips. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Mint Chocolate Chip – Add 1 teaspoon mint extract instead of vanilla to the blender and top with dark chocolate chips. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Which flavor would you make?♬ original sound – Jar Of Lemons
Instead of relying on milk and heavy cream, make ice cream with cottage cheese! With its mild flavor, cottage cheese adds creaminess and a protein boost to recipes like ice cream and smoothies. Pro tip: explore more ways to use cottage cheese in recipes you’d never expect in “10 Cottage Cheese Recipes for a Protein Boost.”
02
Date Bark
@georginaburgess_ Finally tried Date Bark and it lived up to alll expectations 🤤 Sweet, chewy, crunchy goodness 😍 this might be the best way to eat dates! Original recipe by the genius that is @lina 🙌🏻 No quantities, just go with your heart’s content ♥️ – Medjool dates – Peanut butter – Peanuts or almonds – Melted dark chocolate – Flaky salt #datebark #nobakedessert #vegantreats #medjooldates #peanutbutter #vegandessert ♬ Standout – Kid Dean
If you’re looking for a satisfying yet healthy snack, you have to try this recipe. It’s easy to make and only requires a few ingredients: Medjool dates, peanut butter, dark chocolate, coconut oil, and flaky sea salt. Feel free to get fancy with toppings like goji berries, hemp hearts, or chopped nuts for an extra boost of flavor and nutrition.
03
Baked Feta Pasta
@feelgoodfoodie Baked feta pasta with cherry tomatoes!! Recipe on blog • Inspired by @grilledcheesesocial 😘 #tiktokpartner #LearnOnTikTok #fetapasta #recipes ♬ original sound – Feel Good Foodie
This no-fuss weeknight recipe mixes feta cheese with cherry tomatoes to create a salty, cheesy pasta sauce. Just pop the ingredients into the oven, roast, add cooked pasta, and mix! Kids and adults alike will love this. For more protein, simply use lentil pasta or add cooked chicken breast.
06
Cucumber Salad
@laura88lee Logans viral cucumber salad 🥒 @Logan #cucumbersalad ♬ original sound – Laura88Lee
What’s so special about cucumber salad? Well, millions of people follow TikTok creator Logan Moffitt’s tutorials on how to make a cucumber salad. One of his attention-grabbing trademarks is starting each video by saying, “Sometimes you just need to eat an entire cucumber.” Do so, and you’ll benefit from the humble cucumber’s bounty of nutritional benefits, including high water content, fiber, and vitamin K.
07
Frozen Fruit Shaved Ice
@art_gallery67 Gabriela Dimova | ❄️Fruit Shaved Ice❄️ I love this frozen fruit trend from last summer and I think it’s the most perfect healthy refreshing treat, so I had… | food lovers #foryiupage #viralvideo #food #foryoupage #youtube #foryiupage🥺❣️ #foryou ♬ original sound – ARt 🖼️
Viral recipe developers have proven how easy and delicious it is to transform frozen fruit into shaved ice! Just grate frozen fruit like whole peaches and strawberries and then add your desired toppings. Condensed coconut milk and chopped nuts are tasty, satiating options.
08
Strawberry Glaze Smoothie
@lifewithtuyen “$17 is so much for a smoothie” but pays the same for a cocktail 🤡 #haileybieber #smoothie #recipe #WorldPrincessWeek ♬ pink plus white – ✿
Would you buy a smoothie for US$20? That’s the price that Erewhon, a California-based grocery chain, charges for a specialty smoothie made in collaboration with celebrity model Hailey Bieber. As the smoothie is only available to purchase at Erewhon stores in LA, international creators are posting their remakes inspired by the original’s ingredients.
09
Cottage Cheese Flatbread
@healthylittlepeach The viral cottage cheese flatbread blew my mind. It grossed me out when I first saw it, but now that I’ve tried it, it’s AMAZING! Thanks @healthymumway for creating this amazing recipe. I also sqw @Shredhappens version. 10/10! 1 cup cottage cheese 2 eggs 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp onion powder 1.5 tsp Italian seasoning -Add to a blender or food processor. Blend well. Line a small baking pan with parchment paper. Pour the cottage cheese mixture in and spread out evenly. -Bake on 350F for 40 minutes! -Use as bread and build a sandwich! I am using Tzatziki, chicken, tomatoes, arugula and red onion! #cottagecheese #cottagecheeseflatbread #healthyrecipes #lowcarbrecipes #viralrecipe ♬ original sound – Healthy Little Peach
This protein-packed flatbread is made with only two ingredients: cottage cheese and eggs. One cup of cottage cheese contains around 22 grams of protein, and two eggs have about 12 grams of protein—so this flatbread packs a whopping 34 grams total! I’d spread a delicious sauce on this flatbread, like pesto or aioli, and then top with an array of veggies.
10
Nature’s Cereal
@eatingbirdfood Nature’s Cereal is so refreshing! From @natures_food @lizzo #naturescereal #berrycereal #healthyrecipes ♬ Disney – Steven Esso
This refreshing snack uses a mix of berries as the “cereal” base and coconut water in place of milk. Feel free to add ice cubes too for a summer-friendly twist—perfect for cooling off on a hot day! Not just tasty, Nature’s Cereal also delivers electrolytes courtesy of the coconut water and a range of antioxidants from the berries.
