16 Ideas For Quick Healthy Meals

Do you have a busy schedule? Do you get up in the morning with hardly any time for breakfast, and get home at the end of work feeling too tired to cook a meal?

One major obstacle to eating healthier is that it usually requires cooking. And expending time and energy on healthy meals when you’re already rushed, stressed out, and exhausted can feel so overwhelming that you head for the nearest McDonalds instead.

So why make healthy cooking a priority?

Because your health is worth it.

Don’t worry though. If you’re strapped for time and energy, these 16 meal ideas are not only healthy – they also take much less forethought and prep time than you might expect from healthy meals.

I’ve split them up by category: breakfast, lunch, dinner, salads, and dessert so that you can quick reference this post for the type of meal you need.

Table of Contents

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• Breakfast Selections
• 1. Banana Nut Oatmeal
• 2. Broccoli and Feta Cheese Omelet
• 3. Greek Yogurt and Fruit Parfait
• 4. Chocolate-Blueberry Breakfast Smoothie
• 5. Banana Almond Smoothie
• 6. Tropical Breeze Green Smoothie
• Lunch Selections
• 7. Niçoise Sandwich
• 8. Turkey-Provolone Low-Carb Wraps
• 9. Mango Quesadillas
• Salads
• 10. Curried Chicken Salad
• 11. Avocado Taco Salad
• Dinner Selections
• 12. Potato and Spinach Frittata
• 13. Slow-Cooked Asian Pork with Broccoli
• 14. Honey Soy Salmon
• Nutritious Dessert Options
• 15. Chocolate-Dipped Banana Bites
• 16. Frozen Vanilla Strawberries

Breakfast Selections

1. Banana Nut Oatmeal

Whole grain oats are fantastic for your health, but who enjoys plain oatmeal?

There are a lot of great ways to make oatmeal taste better, including most of the fruit and nuts out there. So why bananas?

Well, aside from the fact that they’re delicious, bananas are also a decent source of fiber and a powerhouses of potassium. Potassium is an important electrolyte that helps balance sodium levels in your body, and has been shown to help lower blood pressure and have other heart-health benefits.

Combined with whole grain oats and healthy fat from nuts, you have one amazing breakfast for your heart!

It’s also very easy and quick to make:

Heat up the oats with water (or almond milk for a boost of protein and calcium), then top with banana slices, crushed walnuts, and cinnamon. Presto!

2. Broccoli and Feta Cheese Omelet

Eggs are nutritional gold mines, packed with several important vitamins and minerals, and high in protein and healthy omega-3 fats. They’re one of the best ways to start your day!

Omelets are easy to make – cook your eggs (1-3 will do the trick, depending on the amount of ingredients you’re using, as well as the size of your pan and your appetite), spread the other ingredients over the top, then fold the eggs over it all, enveloping your other ingredients.

So why broccoli? Well, just like with the banana oatmeal, starting your day with fiber is a great idea. Pair that with the high protein of eggs (and your favorite cheese) and you’ve got a remarkably filling breakfast that’ll provide you with long-lasting energy.

Broccoli is also loaded with vitamins and minerals, giving you a great one-two punch of highly nutritious ingredients (eggs and broccoli) right at the start of your day. Pair it with some whole grain toast and a glass of almond milk if you’re especially hungry for an even healthier meal.

3. Greek Yogurt and Fruit Parfait

Greek yogurt is a great way to go if you’re craving yogurt, given its high protein content and lower sugar levels compared to regular yogurt. So why not take advantage of this filling protein by combining it with fruit (which adds vitamins and fiber) and mixed nuts (such as walnuts and almonds, which contribute healthy fats and more fiber)?

 

Since this meal is more reliant on measurements – it’s not as easy to eyeball – here are some guidelines for putting this breakfast together:

• ¾ cup – 1 cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
• 2 cups mixed fruit (pick your favorites!), sliced
• 2 tablespoons walnuts and almonds (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon flaxseed (ground)
• (optional) Honey

Combine these ingredients together however you wish. Here are some ideas:

• Mix it all up! Why not just throw it all together in a bowl, cup, or plastic container, mix it with a spoon, and enjoy? It’s fast, it’s easy, and it’ll all probably end up mixed together by the time you’re halfway through eating it, anyway.

• Yogurt with style. Go the classic breakfast route by throwing the fruit, nuts, and flaxseed all together on top of the yogurt. Then you can mix the ingredients together as you like while you enjoy the dish.

• Layers of sophistication. You can get a little fancy if you have the time and layer the ingredients together. Add about a ¼ cup of yogurt, then some of the fruit, nuts, and flaxseed on top of that, and then keep alternating back and forth. It’s a visually appealing result that ensures your taste buds stay interested the whole way through.

This recipe really could work for breakfast, for lunch, or as a large snack, depending on when you want a blast of creamy yogurt and delicious fruit. Have it whenever you like!

4. Chocolate-Blueberry Breakfast Smoothie

Sometimes even quick options like oatmeal and parfaits aren’t fast enough. You have places to go, things to do! You don’t have time to make breakfast.

It’s times like these when smoothies come in especially handy.

Being able to throw ingredients into a blender, mix them up, and then drink your smoothie at home or take it on the go is an invaluable option for busy people who are trying to eat healthy. That’s why I’ve included three different smoothie ideas below, giving you a variety of options for your on-the-go healthy eating needs.

The first is a chocolate-blueberry smoothie, which probably makes you wonder “chocolate can be part of a healthy diet?” In the right way, yes! Here are your ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups of chocolate-flavored almond milk (Blue Diamond is a particularly excellent brand)
• 1 cup of blueberries
• 1 banana (sliced)
• ¾ cup of vanilla Greek yogurt (Fage is a great brand)

Take all of the ingredients, throw them in a blender, and blend for 30-60 seconds. Presto! You’re done! Pour it all into a glass (or a travel mug/bottle) and enjoy.

5. Banana Almond Smoothie

The second smoothie on this list is a spicy alternative that uses cinnamon for an extra kick. Greek yogurt, bananas, and almond butter all come together in this recipe for a filling and satisfying smoothie that’ll help you stave off cravings and keep you energized for hours.

Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• 1 ½ cups almond milk (vanilla or plain)
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• ¾ cup Greek yogurt (vanilla or plain)
• 1 teaspoon honey
• A pinch of cinnamon

By a “pinch” of cinnamon, I mean that you should experiment to find the amount you prefer for your smoothie’s flavor. Start small – cinnamon can be stronger than you might expect in a smoothie – and then add more if you feel the need.

6. Tropical Breeze Green Smoothie

Sometimes, you just want to get exotic with flavors and start your day with a citrusy, tropical punch to the taste buds. That’s where this next smoothie comes in, combining an array of flavorful fruits with greens and Greek yogurt to concoct a creamy blend that hits all the right nutritional notes.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cup almond milk (plain or vanilla)
• ¾ cup Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla)
• 1 cup mixed berries (try for equal amounts blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries)
• ½ banana (sliced)
• 1 cup mixed fruit (equal amounts pineapple, mango, and mandarin oranges)
• 1 – 2 cups leafy greens (romaine lettuce, spinach, kale)

This smoothie is loaded to the brim with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein to give you an edge on the day. Blueberries are loaded with antioxidants (great for your heart), raspberries have more fiber than almost any other fruit, and all three berries used are very low in sugar.

But wait, there’s more!

There’s also the combination of leafy greens. These veggies are high in fiber and vitamins, with kale being well-known as a “superfood” for its overload of nutritious value.

One thing you may have noticed with the three smoothie ideas is that they all contain both Greek yogurt and bananas. The reason for that is two-fold. Bananas are high in potassium and fiber, while Greek yogurt is high in protein and low in sugar, so they both have high nutritional value.

More than that, though, it’s about texture.

Smoothies get their name from being, well, smooth. Homemade smoothies benefit greatly from bananas and the thicker texture of Greek yogurt (as opposed to regular yogurt) to give them their smooth, creamy texture.

This is good to know for the sake of finding the texture that’s right for you. If you find your smoothie too thick, scale back on bananas and yogurt. If it’s too watery, add more yogurt and bananas.

This knowledge will help you find your favorite way to make smoothies, giving your homemade concoctions that personalized touch that makes them better than anything you’d get pre-made at the store.

Lunch Selections

7. Niçoise Sandwich

The sandwich is a lunchtime staple. The simplicity of stuffing whatever ingredients you want between two slices of bread is part of the appeal, but that simplicity also makes it easy to put together healthy sandwiches using whole grain bread, your favorite meats and cheeses, and condiments that frequently have little to no calories.

The sandwich we’re starting off with is an interesting one. Let’s start by looking at the ingredients:

• 6 oz. can of tuna
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
• ¼ pitted black olives (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• whole grain baguette (4 inches in length)
• baby spinach leaves (as much as you want)

Begin by mixing the tuna, tomatoes, olives, and olive oil in a bowl. Spread that mixture inside the baguette, sprinkle spinach leaves over the top, and then cover with the other half of the baguette.

Tuna is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids (which have a variety of health benefits, from your hair to your skin to your heart). Tomatoes are plentiful in vitamins A and C, as well as heart-healthy antioxidants.

Olives are great sources of iron and fiber, and their flavorful oil is full of heart-healthy fats.

This combination of ingredients makes for a small, but filling sandwich, certain to keep you energized and focused throughout the day.

8. Turkey-Provolone Low-Carb Wraps

Wraps have become a popular alternative to sandwiches, using tortillas instead of slices of bread, and folding in tons of meat, cheese, and veggies.

Here’s how it works:

• Spread one slice of turkey on a plate, then one slice of provolone cheese over that
• Sprinkle veggies in the center of the cheese (such as kale, spinach, diced tomatoes, and olives)
• Lay two slices of avocado on top
• Roll the whole wheat wrap around it all, and you’re done!

Turkey (and other poultry) is a great source of protein and healthy fats. Filling up the inside of the wrap with nutritious veggies and avocado (a fruit that’s strangely high in healthy fats and contains almost 20 different vitamins and minerals!) makes for a great low-calorie and nutritious snack.

9. Mango Quesadillas

I know it’s going against the grain, but that’s what you have to do when you want to eat healthy all day long – you need to be creative or it can get boring fast.

And with sandwiches, wraps, and similar items being common lunch staples, why not change things up by including fruit inside your sandwich?

This is also a simple meal to make. Check it out:

• Start with an 8-inch (or larger if that’s not filling enough) whole grain tortilla
• Slice up half a mango (or whole if using a larger tortilla) and spread the slices on the tortilla
• Add two slices of turkey or ½ cup of grilled chicken (sliced)
• Top with ¼ cup of light shredded cheese and 1 tablespoon of chopped scallions (I wouldn’t eat cheese daily, but once in a while it’s fine)
• Fold the tortilla in half, and then grill on each side until the cheese is melted
• Cut into halves or quarters and enjoy!

 

This makes having foods high in vitamin C important not just to start your day, but throughout the day as well. Mangos are a great choice and the above quesadilla is a positively delicious way to get them.

Salads

10. Curried Chicken Salad

Time to get into salads, which make great choices as between-meal snacks to keep your energy up, or as lunch and dinner meals, depending on your appetite and the size of the salad.

Salads are packed with healthy veggies – especially beneficial leafy greens – but to keep things interesting, you’re going to want to add in some protein and spices. That’s where the curried chicken salad recipe comes in:

• Mix two tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt with ¼ tablespoon of curry powder
• Add in ½ cup of grilled chicken (diced) and mix
• Add in ⅛ cup of red onion (diced), ¼ cup of grapes (halved), and a tablespoon of cilantro, and mix some more
• Spread the mixture over a bowl of leafy greens

The curry and cilantro really make this salad, adding a spicy zest you wouldn’t get otherwise. The overall combination of Greek yogurt, chicken, and a blend of veggies and grapes makes for a filling and nutritious salad that can function as a meal or a snack, depending on your appetite.

11. Avocado Taco Salad

If you’re feeling like you want a bit of a Spanish flair in your salad, try this one on for size:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat
• Add 1 medium onion chopped, 2 cloves of garlic, chopped, ½ teaspoon of ground cumin, ½ teaspoon of sea salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
• Stir for 3-5 minutes, or until the onions have softened
• Add 31 ounces of pinto beans and ¼ cup of water. Stir frequently, toss occasionally, for 2-3 minutes
• Spread the mixture over a bowl of romaine lettuce. Top that with 1 avocado (sliced), and 1 cup of salsa
• Serve with whole grain tortilla chips if you must

Pinto beans are a great source of protein and dietary fiber, both of which help you stay full longer.

While this salad requires some cooking, it keeps well, so preparing it in advance and taking it with you in a plastic container is a viable option for busier schedules.

Dinner Selections

12. Potato and Spinach Frittata

Eggs are a staple of breakfast, where they can be cooked in so many different ways, but don’t ignore their uses in dinner dishes, as well.

One thing you’ll find with these dinner selections is that there’s more cooking involved. Don’t worry, though – you can always prepare dishes in advance if you don’t have time to cook dinner each night, and then just reheat them when you want them.

This frittata makes great use of eggs, potatoes (a nutritional powerhouse), and leafy greens for a highly nutritious and filling dish. It also makes enough to serve more than one person, so if you’re only cooking for yourself, you’ll get two or three meals out of this particular recipe:

• Heat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
• Heat up two tablespoons of olive oil in a large ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add two small potatoes (peeled, sliced thin), and one small onion (sliced), and cook 12-15 minutes
• In a large bowl, mix nine (yes, nine) eggs, ½ teaspoon of sea salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper, along with 10 ounces of chopped spinach, four ounces of grated white cheddar cheese (optional), and four ounces of thin sliced turkey (cut into small pieces)
• Add the egg mixture to the skillet, stir once, and then transfer the skillet to the oven. Cook 12-14 minutes until the eggs are settled

Once it’s finished and cooled, cut the frittata into slices like a pizza and eat it that way. Delicious!

13. Slow-Cooked Asian Pork with Broccoli

Now, slow-cooked recipes take hours to cook. So why is this one on a list of “quick” meals?

Simple: slow-cooked meals make large quantities and store well.

This means you’re making several meals ahead of time that’ll be ready for you to eat whenever you want. Planning ahead is a vital part of having healthy meals on deck that are quick to prepare.

Pork is high in B vitamins and protein, and surprisingly low in fat, making it a great choice for mixing it up from standard “healthy meat” suggestions like chicken breast and salmon.

Here’s the recipe:

• In your slow-cooker of choice, combine ⅓ cup of hoisin sauce, two tablespoons of soy sauce, two tablespoons of cornstarch, two tablespoons of ginger (chopped), two cloves of garlic (chopped), one teaspoon of toasted sesame oil, ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves, and ¾ cup of water
• Add 2 ½ pounds of boneless pork shoulder (trimmed, cut in half), and turn it to coat. Cover and cook on low for seven-eight hours (or high for five-six hours), until the pork is very tender
• Cook 8.8 ounces of udon or soba noodles according to package directions (these tend to vary). Add one pound of broccoli (cut into pieces) during the last two minutes of cooking
• Once the pork is finished, use two forks to shred the meat. Add two tablespoons of rice vinegar and mix. Serve the pork over the noodles and broccoli

This will make several servings (depending on your appetite), and you can easily store servings in plastic or glass containers for easy reheating later.

Overall, this meal contains the highly desirable combination of protein and fiber that makes for a filling and satisfying meal. Enjoy!

14. Honey Soy Salmon

Salmon and other fish are treasure troves of protein and omega-3 fats, so of course you’ll want them in your repertoire for quick, healthy meals. This particular recipe is simple but elegant, full of flavor and very quick to prepare and cook:

• Combine ½ tablespoon of honey with ½ teaspoon of soy sauce
• Season a five ounce salmon filet with sea salt and black pepper. Broil for five minutes
• Drizzle the honey-soy sauce over the fish, and then broil an additional two-five minutes

And that’s it! You can enjoy this dish with whole grain rice or quinoa (hint – add lemon if you find the taste too fishy for your liking).

Nutritious Dessert Options

15. Chocolate-Dipped Banana Bites

Both of the dessert options included here are simple and easy to prepare, thanks to a preparation method that involves dipping fruit into something else to make it sweeter and even more delicious.

For the chocolate-dipped banana bites, first slice one banana into seven to nine slices, depending on the size of your banana. Then, take two tablespoons of dark chocolate chips, place them in a microwave safe bowl, and microwave on high for one minute or until the chocolate is melted.

Dip the banana slices into the melted chocolate and enjoy! You can eat them right away, or refrigerate so that they harden a bit first.

16. Frozen Vanilla Strawberries

If you’re not feeling the chocolate cravings – or if bananas just aren’t your style when it comes to fruit – this dipping recipe is a great alternative (and it’s high in protein as an added bonus!).

All it takes is two cups of strawberries (sliced into halves), one cup of vanilla Greek yogurt, and wax paper.

Using a fork, dip each strawberry half into the yogurt, and then place on the wax paper with the flat side down. Once all of the strawberries are coated, place the wax paper in the freezer for thirty minutes.

After the thirty minutes are up, remove the wax paper and place the strawberry halves onto a plate. You can eat them with a fork or your fingers.

Strawberries are one of my favorite fruits, and vanilla Greek yogurt is delicious and creamy, so this has always been a favorite of mine for healthy desserts. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

What’s your take on these healthy recipes? Have anything else you’d like to share? Let me know in the comments below!