This post isn’t for you, choir.
It’s for those who are desperate to eat healthier and want to take some simple steps.
I recently received a call from my brother-in-law, Andrew. He has amped up his weight training routine and wanted to know what I thought about the $50 tub of protein powder he just bought. Especially on those nights when he called it dinner.
Gulp – the news is not good Andrew!
I told him that in addition to being skeptical of a highly processed “food,” I was concerned he was over-doing it on protein and missing out on nutrients from real food.
Normal adults need 0.8 grams per kilogram. Those who are training moderately need somewhere between 1.4 to 1.7 grams per kilogram. {Check out these two references from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.} But protein powder for dinner is not the best way to get it.
Andrew admitted that he comes home tired from work and it’s much easier to down a protein shake than make a meal. His alternative: an entire frozen pizza.
I gave him several suggestions of super easy, super quick, real food dinners that he could add to his rotation. With each suggestion he was more and more excited! I figured I’d turn this into a blog post because we all have those lazy nights when we would rather assemble than cook. Consider the top row to be the bare minimum and the fancier options when you have more time and ingredients on hand to increase nutrition and flavor.
Three cheers for real food!
Patty says
Awesome post! Thank you. Maybe you can do this kind of post regularly? The five minute dinner? 🙂
Carly says
I second this request!
Aimee says
I third it. I’m in the food rut, trying to stay away from restaurants, and I’m a “I will and do cook but don’t love to”.
Fancy says
Fourth! Would love to see more posts like this!
Carrie says
Agreed!
D says
Fifth! Fav post!
laura says
agree! this actually makes me excited to make dinner tonight. you really simplified healthy eating here kath. love it!
Anna E. says
Agreed to the 10th power. LOVE this post. More posts just like this!!
Ali @ Peaches and Football says
Some of those protein powders have a lot of really funky ingredients! I love Jay Robb and Sun Warrior for after workouts but I don’t rely on it as a meal replacement (except for a few times when I’ve been in a hurry – whoops!).
If someone wanted to try a veggie burger, what’s either the best recipe or the least “funky” and tasty commercial brand to buy? I’ve wanted to try one for a while but I’m afraid of getting a nasty one and having it turn me off of them forever.
KathEats says
I haven’t researched the market lately but I know sunshine burgers are natural. Anyone else have recommendations? Of course our local No Bull Burgers are my fav! Daily Garnish has a good recipe that you could make and freeze too.
M says
I really love Dr Praeger’s veggie burgers (Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods has them) — they don’t have any funky ingredients and taste really good!
Farah says
Awesome post Kath!! Love this 🙂 In response to Ali, Whole Foods carries Sol burgers and their Engine No. 2 line – both of which have minimal ingredients so you could try those. Dr. Praeger’s also has veggie burgers with no funky ingredients (though they are slightly lower on protein) so those could be worth a try. Also, you could always bump up the protein on any of them by adding some cheese or a fried egg on top!
Stacy B says
I love this recipe for Black Bean Veggie Burgers! Make a batch and freeze them. They cook up as quickly as a store bought veggie burger and are so good!
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/06/spicy-black-bean-burgers-with-chipotle.html
Arianna says
I love Amy’s Bistro Burgers (gluten free and vegan) ! http://www.amys.com/products/product-detail/detail/000281
Actually I like all of Amy’s veggie burgers but the Bistro style is my favorite! They have them at most Whole Foods stores in the frozen foods section.
Jennifer Sprague says
Oh She Glows has a TON of great recipes for whole food veggie burgers! She even has a tutorial on how to make them in bulk and freeze them. It’s a great resource.
Ali @ Peaches and Football says
Thanks a bunch for all the great ideas everyone!!!! I’m off in search of some recipes now. 🙂
Tonya says
maaaan I love this post! I’m a part of the choir but I needed this! Sometimes we over complicate things! I’m gonna stock up on some tuna, tomato sauce and beans! (not to eat together….)
J says
Love love love. You have a great perspective on food and meals- I’ve missed it lately.
Bhavya says
I read your blog everyday, I really look forward to see whatz new. Great work Kath, you are very motivating. I now have excluded all the processed food in my diet and Eat REAL FOOD. Esp brekafast posts are so helpful.
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
Renamed Bachelor OR Bachelorette dinners for one… 😉
Katie says
Thank you so much for this post! Not only great for Andrew and the “lazy guy” but for moms like me who want to cook and feel like they are feeding my family a “real meal” and not just a sandwich on the nights when we have activities at dinner time and little time to cook (which unfortunately is several nights a week”. I already use most of these, but this is a great reminder with some new twists/ideas for quick meals. Thanks, and would love to see more posts like this. Maybe some ideas for the warmer weather for quick meals that don’t require heating up the kitchen.
jen says
Ditto from this mom!
Kirby says
As the mother of a 7-month old, THANK YOU for this post! I used to love cooking dinner and now it is the bane of my existence. Would love more posts like this!!!
Jackie says
Love the easy fixes!
christina says
Yummy, great meals. The only thing I would say is that those are small portions for a guy…
My hubby needs around 1000 cals for lunch and dinner just to keep weight on when he’s exercising. And he’s not even trying to gain muscle. I remember when I first started cooking for him, I was amazed at how much more food it took to feed him haha.
But it depends a lot on the size of the guy, activity type, etc.
And if he feels he needs more protein, he could also have a protein shake on the side of a meal.
Its also nice to keep some high protein snacks around the house. Hard boiled eggs, tuna salad, nuts, etc.
jill says
I agree – these look delicious, but a little on the small side. My husband (who works out 2-3 times a day in training for triathlons) would need two or three of these meals. We’ve been following the recommendations in the New Rules of Lifting for Women (1 g of protein per lb of body weight) since we’re both working on gaining muscle.
I appreciate the attempts at mostly whole foods, but I am totally on board with pre-made veggie burgers (i.e. store-bought). I can never get mine to hold together very well, and I like a hearty burger that doesn’t just fall apart. Those No Bull ones always look so yummy.
S says
I had these same thoughts. These would be great lazy options for me, but my husband would need to eat something else in addition.
If he wants to have an easy protein shake and call it dinner, he could totally make your smoothie option and add a scoop of protein powder to it, no? T used to have a giant shake every morning for breakfast with 1 scoop of Shakeology, some frozen berries, water, spinach ice, yogurt, and a giant spoon of peanut butter. He swore by it for over a year and has the serious abs to show for it.
Maija says
Agree 100%, I saw these meals and I was like ‘this looks like something great for my own dinners but this is like an appetizer for my boyfriend…’ I’m not sure of Andrew’s build but my bf is 5’7” and 135ish and he could still easily house 1000kcal for dinner without gaining an ounce (and he doesn’t really weight train). Kath, I’ve read your blog for years so please know this is coming from a place of respect but, you seem a little out of touch with Andrew’s needs (and other similar people in his position) in this one. Or at least that’s how the post sounded. Maybe it could be a post revisited in your RD series by someone with more of a sports nutrition background?
KathEats says
This post doesn’t really touch on portion size at all – and that’s where the calorie difference comes from. Andrew could have two veggie burgers, a 5 egg omelet, a bag of tortilla chips, a loaf of bread. I didn’t do a nutrition assessment on him to determine his needs, but just because the suggestion says “can of tuna” doesn’t mean he can’t amp it up to meet his hunger.
KathEats says
Also keep in mind that this post came out of a desperate reach for ideas ANYTHING for dinner that would be super simple. He was resorting to protein smoothies and frozen pizza, so all of these would be improvements from that. But if get decides he wants to put in more effort, I would recommend doing a bit of meal planning to get the nutrition, portions and diversity even more improved. I think Andrew would love Cook Smarts!
Ashleigh M. says
Love this post! I have been trying to adhere to Cooksmarts (which is fantastic) but with both of us working full-time and two little kids, sometimes I just want to come home and assemble without the cooking especially as it starts to get nicer outside in the evenings. Thanks!
Kate says
I love simple combinations like this. Fun to see your ideas!
Elizabeth {Positively Healthy} says
Great post!! I just had the same talk with some co-workers and the whole protein powder!
Melissa @ Mango About Towm says
Fantastic post! I love your simple combinations, I try to do the same thing when I’m cooking. It really comes down to a few basics fancied up!
lauryn says
love this post!!!!
Angela says
Great post Kath! Loved that you put multiple options in one post, and showed real meals!
Lacy @ Running Limitless says
Lindsay from The Lean Green Bean shared this with me today. I’m so excited to try some of these options and hopefully get my kids to try some new stuff too.
Ali says
Love the graphics on this post! It’s awesome.
Bethany says
Thank you for this post! I’m active but can be lazy when it comes to cooking after a long day. Hope to see more posts of 5 minute meals or quick meals for one or two!
Karen says
Another super duper useful post…you sure are on a productivity roll! 🙂 Terrific job, Kath!
Emma says
I’m a long time reader and a first time commenter – this post rocks my socks! Thank you!
Livi says
These all look like delicious meals! Can’t wait to try some!
Kristin says
All great ideas! We are having a heatwave here in CA and minimal cooking is perfect for this weather!
Laura P says
Great post. We have a muscle mass building dad and a vegan mom and two almost tweens but these are awesome easy to put together and re arrange to fit all of us!
I would love to see more of these!
Hannah @ eat, drink, and save money says
I love your meal combos. You always inspire me to try new combinations. In fact, I’ve blogged about easy meal combos before and you were my inspiration!
Jennifer Sprague says
Awesome post! I work 12 hour days and spend over an hour commuting – I never spend much time on dinner during the week and it’s always great to hear a few new ideas.
Grace @ Grace Dishes says
Those are some brilliant and fantastic ideas! Totally feasible for those on the run 🙂
Thanks for sharing.
Tragic Sandwich says
Your “Lazy Guy Dinners” sound like my “Mom-Friendly Meals”–I’m going to have to try some of these!
Jennifer Leap says
What a fantastic post! Even those of us who invest plenty of time cooking and preparing healthy meals still end up with those nights when we either don’t have the energy or just run out of time to cook an elaborate dinner. You’ve provided some great ideas and options for such occasions. Thank you!
simple green moms says
This makes it look so simple! =) great ideas!
Erin MacMillan says
Kath – Great post! Love the easy ideas for working parents.
Brittany says
This is an awesome post, thank you!
Karen says
This is great! I love eating healthy and although I’m not lazy, I am busy!! I work full time and my husband travels all week so that leaves me on my own to take care of our 4 year old and 1 year old sons. Some nights I just have no time or energy to cook!! We have been doing a lot of PBJ sandwiches with fresh fruit or frozen veggies. But I will definitely try some of these.
Tess @ Tips on Healthy Living says
Hahaha, this post is hilarious, because I can totally relate to Andrew. Except, for me, it’s an entire package of pasta (when I’m feeling “healthy” I make it whole grain). I will have to give these recipes a try! Thanks so much for sharing!
Anoushé says
This would be a really good regular post! I love the ideas! 🙂 Thank you
Alex @ Kenzie Life says
So I’m not a guy but I had to chuckle when you said Andrew would just have a protein shake for dinner. I’m not chuckling because it’s funny but because it totally sounds like me just last night. After working all day and then going to work out, I didn’t get home until after 7 and it was all I could do to throw some ingredients in a blender and drink a protein smoothie. To be fair, I’m still getting over remnants of a stomach virus so my appetite hasn’t returned yet so I think any food at this point is a win for me. This was a tremendously helpful post, Kath! These are great, easy ideas even for us gals who have had a long day and need a quick meal!
Ashley @ Saving Money in your Twenties says
love this!! It really is easy to make meals when you have stuff like this on hand. I try to keep things like tuna, beans, and pasta at all times so that I can whip up something if I don’t want to cook an all-out meal!
Faith says
Love these ideas – thank you!
Leah @ goodnight cheese says
Thanks for the ideas – these can also work well for when it’s 11 pm and you want to pack a lunch for the next day. Would love to see more informative posts like this one!
Sarah says
This is a great post! I’ve been experimenting with my protein intake recently. The range 1.4-1.7 that you mention seems consistent with what I’ve researched for athletes. But what if I’m looking to reduce my body fat? I’ve read that it’s helpful to increase the protein a little and decrease the carbs (just a little!). What do you think?
KathEats says
That might help you feel full longer (although I am a bottomless pit unless I have whole grains in a meal!) I don’t think you need to go LOW carb though – just make sure the carbs you eat are good ones.
Sarah says
Thanks! Now that you mention it, I have felt more full lately, must be that protein! I do still get plenty of carbs, about half of my calories. Giving myself a limit, even if it’s moderate, somehow forces me to make them count. Sweets and refined things don’t sneak in as easily 🙂
KathEats says
Half is great : )
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Can we also call these lazy girl dinners?? 😉 Everything looks fantastic!
Rachel says
Love these ideas!! So versatile, easy on a budget, and healthy 🙂 What did Andrew think about these menu options??
KathEats says
He has been texting me his dinner photos – Sunshine burgers for the win!
Polly @ Tasty Food Project says
I love this post! I like to make smoothies when I’m reeeeeally lazy because it’s so easy to throw everything into a blender! 😉
Katie says
Love this post, Kath!
I’m curious — what little mental checklist do you go through when putting these combinations together?
KathEats says
Protein + Carbs + Flavor : )
Grace says
My husband would eat these meals for a snack. Physically active men need a lot more calories than these meals! (and women, too!)
KathEats says
This isn’t a nutrition assessment – it’s just ideas! Andrew can eat 3 cans of tuna and 4 packs of crackers if he needs to.
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Brilliant post!!!! Such simple ideas…people really do find it hard to think “simply” sometimes. Over complicating meals in your head is what leads to people reaching for the processed/packaged/takeaway options!
Tonya says
+100!
Lauren @ Focused To Be Fit says
Forwarding this to my boyfriend. We don’t live together and the meals he comes up with are no where near what he should be eating. Love these ideas!
Katie says
This is so helpful! I’m used to elaborate meals and eating lots of veggies and legumes, but because I have collagenous colitis, my stomach has been a mess for the last two years. I finally went to an RD on Monday, who eliminated a LOT of vegetables from my diet (and those that I can eat must be cooked) and I’ve felt really defeated about the lack of options I have. Thanks for reminding me about canned fish and eggs!
Mark says
I have an active lifestyle so I need about 3313 kcal a day. On the other side I don’t want to exceed 20% of energy from fat. Based on calculation made on www.happyforks.com it means I should eat much more than before. It’s easy to take calories from fat, but it’s not healthy. I like your suggestions.
Jess says
Love this post. Thank you!
Alisha @ Alisha's Appetite says
Everything looks delicious! I feel like I’m pulling out a lazy girl dinner like this most days of the week 🙂
k says
Love the meatless meals, just so darn healthy for ya 😉
Jessica says
I only echo everyone else in that these portions appear to be for a moderately active woman, rather than a male. Additionally, even if you ramped up the size of each of these meals, this isn’t nearly enough protein for a performance-based athlete looking to build/maintain and optimize consistent performance. Additionally, there are good grass-fed pure whey protein powders that would be a good middle ground, as most recommend getting protein within 30 minutes of training/workout.
Andrew, if you’re reading, look into SFH.
Sheila says
I also echo. Not sure what kind of workout plan Andrew is on, but muscles breakdown during workouts and need the help of protein post workout in order to grow during rest. I would only eat the above meals with a very sedentary lifestyle, ie. if Andrew were to come home from working at a desk job all day. I would add more protein and complex carbs to the above meals and request that Andrew find whey protein powders that are organic to drink immediately after a workout. If he absolutely is trying to avoid protein powders, then perhaps he could munch on a pre-cooked chicken tender while prepping the rest of his dinner. If he does not have time to prepare meals when he comes home, perhaps a plan could be made to prep meals on Sunday? Cook chicken breasts and ground turkey, prepare salads and cut veggies, and cook some quinoa/rice for the week. I think in Andrew’s case, the above meals come off as snacks.
KathEats says
I still stand that you don’t need protein powder to meet your needs. At 1.4 grams/kg, Andrew needs about 100 grams a day. That can easily be achieved with food. At 30 grams per meal, a can of beans has 25 grams, a can of tuna has 33 grams (depending on the brand), a 3-egg omelet with cheese is 25 grams – he’s nearly to 30. Add a glass of milk and he’s over what he needs. He could also easily keep some grilled chicken in the fridge to beef up the meals as well. And he could carry some mixed nuts or a chocolate milk with him to the gym to eat immediately after his workout.
Ella says
Thanks for this simple but detailed reply, Kath. It’s amazing how people think you can’t get adequate protein from food alone, and how much they underestimate the amount of protein they eat. I just love this whole post (fellow RD here – these look like a lot of my meals as a mom of a 2 year old and 7 month old).
Catherine says
I am a fairly active female (not elite athlete level, but very active for someone with a desk job). I’m also a vegetarian who can’t eat much soy. I focus a lot on getting my calories from whole/real food and I rarely eat sugar or processed foods. Despite all that, I find that I do have to do some supplementation with protein powders to really feel my best. Technically I only need about 60g of protein/day, and I can meet that from whole foods no problem. But I feel infinitely better (much more energy in general, and better workouts in particular) if I am getting 80-100 g/day, and for that, I do rely on a daily supplement of 15-20 g protein from a powder (I mix it into a fruit smoothie or bake a batch of “protein crackers” to spread with nut butter). I use organic, unflavored rice or pea protein powders, which have a very short and uncomplicated ingredient list. I honestly don’t think they’re any less “real” than many of the pre-packaged veggie burgers on the market, and from a budget and environmental footprint perspective, I think they are preferable to increasing meat consumption (which would be the alternative in my case).
Ruth says
Kath, what do you think about protein powders used like this, as a supplement taken on days when one feels low in their protein requirement? As an active vegan, there are days when I am pretty low on protein. Yes, I COULD add a cup of beans to my dinner, and sometimes I do, but there are days when it’s easier to just mix a spoonful of protein powder into my morning oatmael. Do you think this is ok, or is it too far away from “real food”? Just curious for your take!
KathEats says
If you’re a vegan and use a whole food protein powder like the pea proteins mentioned, I think it’s fine every now and then. I just wouldn’t rely on that as your dinner 🙂
Catherine says
For the record, I resisted the idea of using protein powders because they weren’t “real” for a long time. But I eventually realized that I really needed to be more diligent about my protein intake (I actually had some bloodwork come back suggesting that I was not getting enough protein in—something all the vegetarian/vegan literature tells you is nearly impossible). I started tracking my food intake very diligently and was determined to get it all from “real” food. And I had a really hard time with it–not that I wasn’t able to make the time to prepare healthy foods, but getting up over the 80g threshold (which seems to be my sweet spot) was difficult without really ramping up the calories. I eventually realized my options were to start eating more soy (which I’m reluctant to do as it gives me some problems), start eating more gluten-based fake meats (i.e. Field Roast sausages–which I’m fine with having occasionally but are way too pricey to eat daily), start eating more eggs/dairy/meat, or start supplementing with a powder. I settled on the powder as the best of these options and I have to say I’ve been VERY happy with my choice. Adding that extra shot of protein to my day has really evened out my appetite, given me more energy, and allowed me to perform much better with my workouts.
Emily says
I love these ideas, Kath! Esp the first one with salmon, squirt of condiment, dried herbs, pita bread – etc! Love how you arranged it too – “feeling fancy?”
Claire says
Is Andrew a vegetarian? I would think meat would be a quick, easy way to get his required protein. When I’m really busy I love the convenience and versatility of a rotisserie chicken, or just a good old steak on the grill!
KathEats says
No but meat meeds to be fresh and prepared more carefully than these so I was making really lazy siggestions. A rotisserie chicken is a great idea though!
Anne says
Great suggestions! I will be sure to make one of these dinners next time I’m tempted to get takeout 🙂
Angelica says
I’m surprised you never mention QUINOA! Excellent source of protein, fiber, and other nutrients! My picky kid loves it!
KathEats says
That’s for the medium lazy – this post was for the uber lazy : )
Jo says
Glad you set Andrew straight & hope he takes your advice! I’m a LOT older than him and I’m very tired when I get home from work. That’s why I plan menus on the weekend and cook some things that I can quickly re-heat. Your suggestions are great! Chicken breasts are good – can top a salad, do a quick stir-fry with some veggies, roll up in a tortilla. This week I made a turkey meatloaf and cut into portions. Just takes a little time over the weekend but makes life much easier and keeps me on track. Real food is SO much better!
Rachael says
I love this post! I am so lazy about dinner. Veggie burgers, pasta and eggs are some of my favorite quick meals as well. I also love quesadillas – quick when you beef them up with canned black beans and frozen corn, and healthy when you use a sprouted or whole wheat tortilla.
Wren says
Colorful, healthy, and delicious options. Thanks for reminding me of simple & quick meal ideas!
Rena says
Hi,
Do you have a recipe for curry canned tuna or canned chicken? If so I’d love to have it. I can’t seem to get the right ingredients/amounts.
Thanks, Rena
Rena says
Hi again, I just found two recipes on your recipe page. I’ll try them.
Thanks, Rena
Jenna says
Love, love, LOVE this post. Thank you!
Alicia says
Hey Kath,
I love the new graphics you’ve been using in your posts. Are you using a certain program to make them?
KathEats says
Just photoshop : )
Jen says
This is a great idea– for lazy girls too. I often don’t know what to eat for lunch that is easy and I think this fits the bill. Thanks!