Time-saving shortcuts for a healthy diet

Time-saving shortcuts for a healthy diet

If you want to eat healthier but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen, I wrote this article for you. One of the biggest obstacles to eating well is the extra time it takes to prepare home-cooked meals from scratch. Even with a few time-saving tricks, preparing meals with fresh, real food takes more time than opening a box of Kraft Dinner or driving to a drive-thru. But I think you and your health are worth it, and I hope you do too.

Here are 4 time-saving tips to prepare healthy, nutritious meals for you and your family:

1. Meal plan. Each week, make a rough plan of what you will eat for dinner each week. Yes, it takes time, but it will save you a lot of time at the grocery store. Planning ahead also means you no longer have to decide what you're going to eat for dinner when you're tired at the end of the day (and less likely to make a healthy choice).

2. Use some processed foods. Eating real food doesn't mean you have to grind your own oats or grow your own lettuce. Although it's best to eat fresh, local food, this isn't always realistic. Consider purchasing pre-chopped or frozen vegetables, pre-washed lettuce, low-sodium canned tomatoes, and canned beans. Healthier condiments are also available in the store: look for salad dressings (read labels and look for ingredients you can pronounce), low-sodium tomato sauces, and marinades to make quick, flavorful meals

3. Always do extra. It takes just a little longer to cook a double or even triple batch of a recipe. Pack some of the leftovers into containers for lunch or another dinner during the week and freeze the rest. You can also make a big stew or soup when you have a little extra time, maybe on the weekend, just to fill your freezer. Be sure to label the containers with the contents and date! If you roast chicken or cook meat, use it for other meals throughout the week. You can also cook extra rice in advance and freeze it.

4. Chop vegetables in advance. When you're looking for a snack in the fridge, you probably don't feel like chopping up a plate full of vegetables. I get it! But if you've already had vegetables pre-chopped, you'll be more likely to eat them. Once a week, invest 15 minutes washing and slicing carrots, cucumbers, peppers, and other vegetables so they're ready to eat. I put them in containers so I can easily take one to work every day.

5. Get a slow cooker. Add a few ingredients in the morning and come home to a warm, nutritious meal. When you find a delicious, easy recipe, bookmark it so you remember to make it again.

No question: healthy eating requires a little more planning, preparation and time. However, with these time-saving tricks, you can reap the health and money-saving benefits of cooking at home in a fraction of the time.

HAVE FUN!