Sometimes you get hungry you need to eat…like NOW. The problem is that practically all the things that are ready-to-eat are none too friendly to a well-balanced diet.

[If this is where you're getting dinner, you need healthy meal recipes for your kitchen!]

The good news is that a delicious meal doesn’t have to take a long time at all. Whether you do prep work the night before or choose simple & fresh ingredients, healthy meal recipes are quicker than you think.

We’ve got 4 healthy recipes for all types of eaters…keep reading.

Healthy Meal Recipe for MEAT LOVERS: Steak w/ Tomato & Basil Salad

(Serves 4, 299 calories per serving)

If meat is your thing and you swear you’ll die without use this healthy meal recipes trick: add a light side dish. Steak or pork is plenty filling without adding a carb, so try a light vegetable salad like the healthy recipe below and don’t give up everything you enjoy eating.

Ingredients
4-4oz.steaks-tenderloin (800calories)
6 Roma tomatoes, shopped (108c)
2 bunches of Basil, chopped (3c)
2 tbsp. red wine vinegar (6c)
salt & pepper as needed
2 tbsp. olive oil (238c)
3 tbsp. worcestershire sauce (39c)

Directions: Place the steaks on a large plate and season with salt, pepper, and worcestershire sauce on both sides. Poke with fork to allow seasoning to penetrate. Heat a non-stick skillet on medium-high heat, when skillet is hot add steaks and cook 4-8 minutes on each side. Meanwhile in a salad bowl mix red wine vinegar, (a little) salt & pepper, and olive oil until blended. Toss in basil and tomatoes until coated.

Tip: Tasty steak sauce has 15 calories per tablespoon so use sparingly!

Vegetarian’s Dream: Ginger Roasted Vegetable Medley

(Serves 4, 118 calories per serving)

My vegetarian friends load up on carbs instead of making a nice casserole or medley from a mix of vegetables. Healthy meal recipes like this veggie medley allow you to experiment with herbs & spices like nutmeg and ginger for additional flavor. This way you can taste the dish instead of the salt.

Ingredients
2 Carrots (100c)
2 Parsnips (white, looks like a carrot) (100c)
1/2 head Cauliflower, chopped (72c)
2 cups Butternut Squash (126c)
1 tsp. nutmeg (11c)
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated finely (6c)
1 tbsp. maple syrup (52)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper (5)

Directions: Preheat oven to 425. After vegetables have been peeled and chopped, place them in a large bowl and add salt & pepper, nutmeg, ginger, and syrup. Toss until well coated and transfer to large baking dish. Bake 30-40 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and golden.

[Grab your favorite seasonal veggies from the produce aisle and make a light casserole packed with nutrients...not calories.]

Quick & Easy Healthy Meal: Bacon-Herb Quinoa

(4 servings, 218 calories per serving)

Quinoa is tasty to be sure, but what’s even better is that it’s gluten-free and has 4 grams of protein in every ounce of quinoa! That’s why quinoa is a go-to grain when meat isn’t an option for my healthy meal recipes. Quinoa is also a great healthy meal recipe replacement for rice.

Ingredients
2 thick-slices of bacon, chopped)
1/2 onion, chopped
1 cup Quinoa
2 tbsp. sage
2 tbsp. chives, chopped
2 cups vegetable stock
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. vegetable oil

Directions: In a medium skillet over medium-high heat add oil. When oil warms, add bacon and cook 2-3 minutes. Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the quinoa, sage, and stock and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce to low heat until juices have been absorbed, about 15-18 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for a few minutes. Fluff quinoa with fork and sprinkle chives on top before serving.

[Just because you haven't heard of it doesn't mean quinoa isn't a key ingredient for healthy meal recipes.]

Carb-a-holic’s Healthy Meal:Tomato & Garlic Scampi

(4 servings, 136 calories per serving)

Getting your carb fix doesn’t have to cost you hours of cardio if you just follow a few simple rules. A healthy meal recipe that contains pasta should have exact portion sizes to avoid the temptation of overeating. Eating pasta doesn’t mean loading up on sauce either. This healthy recipe contains mostly vegetables, which is a perfectly acceptable way to enjoy pasta.

Ingredients
2 cups whole wheat spaghetti
1 bunch of scallions
5 garlic cloves
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tbsp. pimento
1 tsp. olive oil
3 anchovies
1 tsp. each salt & pepper
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Directions: Prepare pasta according to package instructions. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat, and add anchovies. Stir constantly until anchovies dissolve into the oil, about 4 minutes. Add in scallions and pimento and season with salt & pepper, cook for an additional 3 minutes. Lower heat to medium and add garlic and tomatoes, cook for 4 minutes. Add lemon juice and toss with pasta.

TIP: Parmesan or parmigiano reggiano are delicious on all types of pasta, just remember that 1 tablespoon is 20 calories so make sure those spoons don’t add up!

Now that you’re armed with a few healthy meal recipes to keep your weight loss journey going, find out how you can get your heart pumping in just 45 minutes by reading our review of Turbulence Training.