After a long, hard day working on the job, the last thing on your mind is cooking—let alone eating healthy. The most common option for dinner is whatever is fast and easy to eat. So, up the drive-through, you go—right?
Opting for takeout meals typically means more calories, cholesterol, sodium and sugar, and money. But takeout isn’t your only option. Besides, those dollars add up. In truth, with the correct information, you could prepare some quick, healthy, budget-friendly meals and get adequate time to rest.
The Minute Loan Center came up with five recipes for healthy and affordable meals that won’t require you to exert too much of your energy or cause you to pull your hair out. Well, starvation will make you do crazy things!
Top Five Healthy Budget-Friendly Meals
1. Marinated Chicken Breasts Paired with a Salad
The combination of salad with juicy chicken breast is healthy enough for dinner and will satisfy you. If you don’t like the herbs in this recipe, swap them out with your own. Don’t forget to keep an eye on your sodium intake. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, our bodies only need 180 mg to 500 mg daily to function properly.* There’s only 291 mg of sodium in this recipe. So, you’re right on track. Pair this yummy dish with mesclun greens, and you’re all set! Bon appétit! (Julia Child voice) Click here for more on this delicious treat.
Yield: 4 servings
Cost: $10
2. Chopped Tuna Salad
Chopped tuna salad is one of the popular healthy, budget-friendly meals. It’s such a simple and easy meal to prepare. All you have to do is add the ingredients, and it’s done! Not only are you getting your vegetable intake, but you are also getting protein. If you don’t like tuna, try substituting it with chicken or whatever meat you prefer. Don’t forget, if you need help keeping track of your food group intake, check out the link below.
Yield: 4 servings
Cost: $11
3. Patty Melt with Onion Salad
If I could smother everything I eat in cheese, I would be happy! Although it is essential to implement dairy into your daily diet, too much cheese is not good for you.
The patty melt with onion salad gives the proper balance of protein, dairy, and vegetables. To reduce fat, opt for lean beef and fat-free cheese if possible**. Of the healthy and affordable meals to keep on rotation this month, choose this meal.
Yield: 4 servings
Cost: $9
4. Baked Fish Recipe
Try this 366-calorie citrus-roasted Salmon dinner. Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein ***. If salmon isn’t your thing, try tilapia or another fish. Whatever you choose, do not fry! Add fresh green beans or red-skinned potatoes as a side.
Yield:
Cost: $13
5. Quinoa Salad
Have you heard of the quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) craze that’s been going on? Quinoa is a grain high in protein, and the most significant benefit of it all is zero carbs! People are on to this wonder grain and are quickly embracing it as a regular ingredient of their everyday healthy and budget-friendly meals. And, there’s a good reason for the hype. Here are the facts:
- It has been consumed for thousands of years
- It consists of all nine amino acids to make a complete protein
- It is an ancient plant hailing from South America****
Yield: 8 cups
Cost: $6
So tell us why this isn’t worth a try. Yep, we couldn’t think of a reason either 😉. We hope these recipes are stress-free, simple, and delicious.
Get a Minute Loan Center Loan
If you need extra money to fund your shift to healthy and affordable meals or meet other financial needs, apply for a Minute Loan Center loan. We offer affordable loans and flexible repayment terms that allow you to fulfill your other financial obligations comfortably. Open an account with us here and apply for a loan. It only takes a few minutes. For more information and help with your application, contact us here. Now, get to experimenting with the above healthy budget-friendly meals and tell us how you like them.
Kevin brings over 15 years of experience in marketing, with a specialized expertise in growing online businesses. As the Director of Marketing at a leading FINtech company, he employs innovative strategies to enhance brand visibility and customer engagement. Kevin’s passion lies at the intersection of technology and finance, where he pioneers solutions that not only meet but exceed consumer expectations. His commitment to leveraging his expertise ensures impactful results and the building of lasting relationships in the digital landscape.
