I remember telling a friend years ago that I wanted cooking dinner to take less than five minutes. I wanted to throw a few things in a pan or in the microwave, heat it up and be done with it.
As much as I love food, I wasn’t the biggest fan of cooking.
So when I decided to make the switch from frozen dinners, boxes of pasta, and takeout to cooking whole foods from scratch, it was hard – at least initially.
With busy schedules and limited time, it can be a struggle to find the time to make home cooked meals 24/7/365.
Over the years, I’ve learned that with some planning and preparation, it’s possible to make cooking at home from scratch more convenient and doable.
Here are some tips on how to make healthy eating doable:
- Meal planning: One of the best ways to make whole foods more convenient is to plan your meals in advance. Take some time each week to plan your meals. It doesn’t have to be complicated – just jotting down some of your favorite easy meals is a good start. Then make a grocery list and shop from it. This will help you avoid last-minute trips to the store and save time during the week.
- Meal prep: Meal prepping is another great way to make healthy eating more convenient. Spend some time on the weekend preparing food for the week ahead. This can include chopping vegetables, cooking grains, or preparing full meals in advance.
- Batch cooking: Batch cooking is a time-saving strategy that involves cooking large amounts of food at once, for example a big pot of soup. This is a great way to have healthy meals on hand during busy weeknights.
- Crockpot meals: Crockpot meals are another option. Just add your ingredients to a slow cooker in the morning and let it cook throughout the day. By the time you get home, dinner is ready to go.
- Freezer meals: Freezer meals are another great way to make whole foods more convenient. Freeze meals in individual portions for quick and easy dinners later on.
- Pre-cut and pre-washed produce: Pre-cut and pre-washed produce can save you time during meal prep. Look for pre-cut vegetables, fruits, and salad greens in the produce section of your grocery store.
- Healthy snacks: Keep healthy snacks on hand for when you’re on the go. Some examples include fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, and cut-up veggies with hummus.
Making the switch to cooking at home can be convenient with some planning and preparation. Meal planning, meal prepping, batch cooking, Crockpot meals, freezer meals, pre-cut and pre-washed produce, and healthy snacks are all great ways to help make whole foods more manageable and convenient.
By incorporating these tips into your routine, you can make healthy eating fit into your busy life.
