Cheap But Healthy Meals To Fend Off The Quarantine 19

Everyone has heard of the Freshman 15, well, this year introduced us to the Quarantine 19. Many of us are working at home or doing online schooling, leaving us less active and surrounded by food. Money has become tighter and it has become a bigger deal to go to the grocery store. But, just as there are ways to avoid the Freshman 15, there are plenty of cheap but healthy meals to fend of the Quarantine 19!

Gotta Have The Veggies

A chicken Caesar is one of the most well-known salad options for omnivores. In fact, most groceries sell pre-packaged options for on-the-go or lunch-at-work options. With quarantine, though, we have much more freedom of using our full kitchen and need to be more careful with frivolous spending. To have the same meal as the prepackaged, but to have leftover ingredients, here is what you’ll need:

1. Lettuce
2. Shredded Cheese
3. Croutons
4. Chicken Breast
5. Caesar Dressing

Most of the time, I usually buy the bags of lettuce, but you could also buy a head and break it down yourself. As for the cheese, to each their own, but definitely get a big enough bag for multiple meals. Over time I have learned that it can actually be cheaper to buy frozen chicken breast, and it only takes a few minutes for it to heat up in the oven. With the Caesar dressing, there are so many types to choose from, so why not experiment? And a little salt and pepper and wa-la!

CBLT Anyone?

Either with newly baked chicken or leftover from the salads, we can also use the lettuce to make a Chicken BLT. Here is what you’ll need:

1. Bread
2. Chicken Breast
3. Bacon
4. Lettuce
5. Tomato

A great way to add some stability to the sandwich is to toast your bread. Personally, I like a little mayo on each slice. Then, small packs of bacon sell for relatively cheap and are easy to cook. With the use of leftover chicken and lettuce, all you need is a little bit of diced tomato. Turns out that this fancy sandwich you usually order at restaurants is pretty easy to make!

Add A Little Spice To That Quarantine Life

Everyone has their favorite Mexican restaurant for #TacoTuesdays or #FridayNight margaritas. With COVID-19, however, it might be a bit harder to get your favorite dish. So, here is a homemade alternative to get over even the worst #Humpday: chicken fajitas! This super easy and cheap dish is perfect for planning out the week and can be made with whatever you like, like adding some shredded lettuce. But, here is what I’d need to make mine:

1. Tortillas
2. Chicken Breast
3. Tri-color Bell Peppers
4. Onion
5. Shredded Cheese
6. Fajita Seasoning

After heating the new, or leftover, chicken, toss it in a pan with the sliced peppers and chopped onion. Once it is all together, add the fajita mix and you are good to go! I learned from a Mexican mama to heat the tortillas on the stovetop, then fill it, and add the cheese. This delicious and hearty meal can last all of the work or school week!

A Homemade Staple

Still have leftover pepper and onion from the fajitas? Not to worry! The perfect place to use these veggies is to mix it in with rice and add it as a side to your chicken entrée. All groceries, including Walmart, have an isle full of box dinners and sides, such as rice and pasta. For this cheap and healthy meal, we are going to meal-prep with a box of rice and portion out for the week. Here is what you’ll need:

1. Rice-a-Roni
2. Tri-color Bell Peppers
3. Onion
4. Chicken Breast

After getting the rice exactly how you like it, toss in the peppers and onions. Personally, I add the diced chicken as well, making myself a rice-bowl of sorts. All in all, it is not a bad way to start a week and gives you one less thing to worry about!

See Also

Easy Summer Lunch Ideas You Need To Try

… And A Side Of Pasta

Now, it may come as a shock to you, as it did to me, that pasta is actually meant to be a side. As you may have a side of vegetables or small soup, a suggested portion of pasta is quite small. But! Just because it’s small, doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. Here is what you’ll need to have chicken with Alfredo-pesto sauce:

1. Chicken Breast
2. A Portion Size Of Pasta
3. Alfredo Sauce
4. Pesto

When the pasta is cooked to your liking, go ahead and strain it but put it back in the pot. From here you’re going to take a spoonful of Alfredo sauce and coat the noodles over low heat. After the noodles are lightly coated, the addition of a little pesto goes a long way. Then you’re all ready to plate with your chicken!

 Can’t Beat A Classic

As that cold weather starts rolling it, the fireplaces are lit, and the Christmas movies are playing, who doesn’t want a nice, hot cup of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup? Cheap and with a very long shelf life, there is nothing wrong with grabbing a pack of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup the next time you are at the grocery. Its classic taste has proven itself through time, but here is what you’ll need to make it extra special:

1. Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup
2. Sausage
3. Croutons
4. Salt And Pepper

Still on the stovetop, slice the already heated sausage and drop it in the soup. Add some salt and pepper, and any other seasoning you may like before ladling yourself a bowl. From the bag of salad croutons, use these like you would broken crackers. Now you have a healthy, hearty, hot, and cheap meal you can replicate all Winter long!

So! Not only are these meals cheap to buy, but they’re cheap with your calories. It is important to remember that weight loss is all about a calorie deficit – burning more calories than you’re taking in. There are a few free apps available to help you keep a log of it all and you’ll know you’re right on track to fend off that Quarantine 19. If there’s anyone with other helpful tips, tricks, and healthy meals, comment below!