Healthy Food Anywhere, Anytime: Quick Meals That Are Cheap and Easy

Healthy eating is often blamed on three things, time, effort, and cost. But eating well doesn’t need to be hard, and it definitely doesn’t need to be expensive.

This simple one-pan meal (salmon or steak with broccolini) is a great example of how you can cook something nutrient-dense, fast, and budget-friendly, with minimal prep and only a few ingredients.

The Most Common Excuses for Not Eating Healthy

If you have ever struggled to stay consistent with healthy food, you are not alone. These are some of the most common reasons people give:

• “I don’t have enough time.”
  
  
• “It’s too hard, or takes too long.”
  
  
• “Healthy food is expensive.”
  
  

The truth is that healthy meals become easy when you plan your groceries for the week and do a small amount of prep the night before. Think of it as an investment of time into your health.

Is Healthy Food Expensive?

It can be if you rely on convenience meals and takeaway.

But when you keep it simple and cook whole foods, you can eat well on a budget. This recipe comes in at $14.39 total, and if you swap salmon for steak, it drops to $9.39.

One-Pan Recipe: Salmon (or Steak) With Broccolini

Ingredients and Cost Breakdown

• Salmon steak: $10.00
  Optional swap: Steak for $5.00
  
  
• Coconut oil: $0.41
  
  
• Broccolini: $2.98
  
  
• Seasoning: $1.00
  
  

Total cost: $14.39
Steak option: $9.39

How to Cook It (Step-by-Step)

1. Heat a small amount of coconut oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
   
   
2. Sear the salmon (or steak).
   
   
3. When the salmon is about half done, add the broccolini to the pan and let it start to wilt.
   
   
4. Once the salmon is cooked through, remove it from the pan and set aside.
   
   
5. Keep cooking the broccolini until softened, and add your favourite seasoning.
   
   
6. Plate it up and serve warm.
   
   

Why Nutrition Matters (More Than Most People Think)

Nutrition plays a huge role in staying fit and healthy, often more than exercise alone. Training matters, but results are much easier to achieve when your food supports your goals.

That’s why nutritional assessments are included with all our membership options, so you can build habits that are realistic, sustainable, and personalised to you.

Challenge: Tell Us Why You “Can’t” Cook Healthy Meals

Comment below and tell us your circumstances for why you can’t cook or prepare a healthy meal, and we will see if we can prove you wrong.

FAQs: Healthy Eating When You’re Busy

What is the easiest healthy meal to cook quickly?

A simple option is a one-pan meal like salmon (or steak) with broccolini, cooked in oil with basic seasoning. It’s quick, filling, and requires minimal prep.

How can I eat healthy with no time?

Plan your groceries for the week, keep ingredients simple, and choose meals you can cook in 10–15 minutes. One-pan recipes reduce cooking time and cleanup.

Is it cheaper to cook healthy meals at home?

In most cases, yes. When you cook using whole foods (protein + vegetables + seasoning), you can build healthy meals that cost less than takeaway and keep you fuller for longer.

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