A Facebook meme said it all: “I hate it when I open the cupboard to find something to eat and all I see are ingredients.”
Do you find yourself reaching for prepackaged or frozen food just because it’s quick and easy? Does your car seem to have an autopilot that goes straight to the closest drive-through after a long day at work?
Lots of people don’t give healthy cooking a chance because they assume it will take too much time or it’s too hard. But it’s possible to prepare fresh and nutritious meals that are simple, delicious and even fast! Here are 5 time-saving tips to get you started.
1. REACH FOR SOME BEANS. Keep low-sodium canned beans on hand. Drain and rinse them and add them to a green salad to make it more filling. Or mix in a little seasoning, along with some chopped onions or diced tomatoes with the beans, warm them on the stovetop–and you’ll have a delicious pot of beans in less than 5 minutes.
2. READY-SET-PREP! Once or twice a week, schedule a small block of time to prep food for the next few days. Chop veggies, wash fruit, pack up some nuts for a healthy lunch, so there’s always something ready to go.
3. BATCH IT. Once a week, cook a large batch of whole grains, such as brown rice or quinoa that you can serve with meals throughout the week. Or try precooked instant varieties, such as brown rice packets that can be cooked in the microwave in 90 seconds. For health benefits, be sure to choose whole-grain options (e.g. brown rice instead of white rice).
4. GRAB SOME REAL FAST FOOD. Raw fruits and vegetables were the original “fast food.” Incorporate them into your diet as often as possible. A banana? It couldn’t get any easier–it even has its own go-to packaging!
5. LOOK IN THE FREEZER. Keep a stash of your family’s favorite frozen vegetables. Since the veggies in the freezer section have been flash frozen, they are just as fresh as what is available in the produce section–plus they don’t require the rinsing and prepping that fresh produce does.
