4 Cheap Dinner Ideas For Effortless Weight Loss This Winter
October 24, 2024 by Mariam Qayum
As winter approaches, many people look for ways to maintain their weight loss goals without breaking the bank. This is especially important during dinner time when you feel like eating a hearty meal with your family to end the long day, but don’t want to give in to unhealthy dishes. Dinner is a crucial meal, and with rising food prices, finding affordable, healthy options is more important yet challenging than ever.
Fortunately, there are plenty of budget-friendly dinner ideas that can help you enjoy delicious meals while supporting your fat loss efforts. These four dinner ideas we gathered are designed to be easy on your wallet and can help you stay on track with your health goals during this time of inflation! Read on to discover the recipes!
Kennedy (@busymommayummyrecipes), makes “simple yet mouthwatering dishes” for busy moms who are also on a budget!
For her 5-ingredient chicken and orzo dinner, Kennedy says to buy these items: Orzo, low-sodium chicken broth, and marinated chicken thighs.
Instructions: Sear the marinated chicken thighs in a hot pan for about four minutes on each side (you can marinate them yourself if you have time). As they are cooking, mince an entire head of garlic. Once the chicken is done cooking, add your orzo and garlic to the same pan and toast them for a couple minutes. Then add some of the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to let out the flavor from the chicken thighs (aka deglazing). Then you can add the remainder of your chicken broth along with the chicken thighs. Cover and cook on low for at least 15 minutes. Next, she adds a handful of frozen vegetables to the pan and allows those to cook through. Once the dish is cooked thoroughly, layer the orzo in a bowl and then the sliced chicken thighs on top. Kennedy recommends adding cheese or lemon juice for added flavor.
This dish only cost her $9.99! The marinated chicken thighs provide a good source of protein, which is essential for muscle maintenance and keeping you full. Orzo adds complex carbs for energy and fiber, while the veggies are low in calories yet high in vitamins and minerals.
Jen from The Healthy Her Podcast shares weight loss meals and health tips for the busy woman. She notes that “some nights it’s really hard trying to get a healthy dinner on the table,” but one of the budget-friendly dinner recipes she recommends is the crunchy, creamy chicken Kiev with low-carb potatoes and greens.
Ingredients (all from ALDI): 1 packet chicken Kiev, 1 bag spud light potatoes, 1 bag super leaf salad mix.
Instructions: Air fry or oven bake chicken as per packet instructions, cut potatoes + add favorite seasonings. Air fry or oven bake until golden brown, serve chicken with salad mix.
Jen says that each serving is 440 and “seriously delicious.”
Trader Joe’s is an ideal place to shop, especially during the colder months when all the seasonal items hit the shelves. Next time you go shopping at the store, make sure to try Nina’s “frozen and cheap” Trader Joe’s dinner that she makes when she wants to “be healthy” but has “no groceries.”
In an oiled pan, add 2-3 cubes of frozen cubed garlics from Trader Joe’s along with frozen chopped spinach, chopped mushrooms, and Trader Joe’s frozen mushroom ravioli. “It’s pretty healthy; you can eat the whole thing, and it’s not bad for you, so I just eat the whole thing,” she says of the raviolis. Next, add a tiny amount of water, cover the pan, and let that simmer. After the raviolis cook halfway through, add the seasonings. Nina used black pepper, red pepper, seasoned salt, and onion powder. Last but not least, she says “the most important part” is to sprinkle some high-quality parmesan cheese on top.
Ilhana (nutritionbabe) shared her story of where this inexpensive yet high-protein meal came from. She revealed that when she got married over a decade ago, she and her husband had a tight budget. Salmon and meats “were off the table,” as they are some of the most expensive protein sources. That’s when she decided to give tofu a try. Back then, two blocks of tofu cost her just $5, and their prices are still pretty reasonable today. This tofu stir fry she recommends is something she and her husband still enjoy to this day!
To make the tofu: add 1/4 c nutritional yeast, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp cumin and oregano. Mix it well and coat slices of extra firm tofu on all sides with the mix. Cook each one in a pan coated with olive or avocado spray and enjoy with a stir fry of your favorite veggies and soyaki marinade.