9 Easy, Healthy Make-Ahead Dinners

Eating nutritious meals is often a struggle in the middle of the week when you have no time to cook. Spend some time on the weekends prepping for the days to come and you'll be able to eat healthy whenever you want.

Click here to see 9 Easy, Healthy Make-Ahead Dinners (Slideshow)

Takeout is a tempting option when you're hungry and short on time, but restaurant meals, even those that are touted as "healthy," are often laden with excess sugar, salt, and fat. Making your own food can be time-consuming, but a little preparation over the weekend can make for healthy, tasty dinners all week long.

Make sure to stock your pantry with healthy essentials like quinoa, stock, and dried beans so you always have healthy options on hand.

Spend an hour or two every weekend preparing for the week ahead. Having everything you need at your disposal makes takeout less tempting and helps you waste less food. You'll save time and money throughout the week, and you'll know exactly what you need to pick up at the grocery store. Make a big batch of quinoa or brown rice for easy stir-fry throughout the rest of the week. Cut vegetables into bite-size pieces and store them in food storage containers so you have the base of vegetable-heavy meals at the ready — no prep time necessary when you're hungry for dinner.

Redefine your thoughts on dinner. You can turn almost anything in your fridge into a healthy meal, and it doesn't have to necessarily be an elaborate event. Top some roasted vegetables and potatoes with a fried egg and you've got a full meal. Salads can be complete (delicious) meals too, and raw salads mean you don't have to wait for anything to actually cook.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle without spending a ton of time in the kitchen every night with these easy make-ahead meals.

Asian Peanut Broccoli Quinoa

Keep a storage container full of cooked quinoa and another of chopped vegetables at the ready so you can make a healthy stir-fry anytime. Tofu is the perfect protein for quick, meatless dinners.

Chilled Poached Salmon Salad with Honey-Yogurt Dressing

Poach salmon in olive oil a day or two in advance for a quick salad that's full of good-for-you fats.