For many people, preparing meals at home is essential to ensure they eat healthily. But unfortunately, cooking is not for everyone. Some don’t have the time for it with their busy schedules. Others simply don’t like the idea of spending an hour or two on meal prep and dishing out complex meals.
If you don’t like cooking, you no longer need to give up on your health goals-—there are plenty of options to enjoy a healthy and balanced diet. Here’s how.
Plan for Quick and Simple Meals
With quick and simple recipes, you can whip up a meal in under 15 minutes. One-pot meals, for instance, could be tasty and super-fast to prepare. Instant pots and air fryers can also help you assemble a healthy dinner with minimum hassle. All you need is the right recipes and the right ingredients.
Having a good collection of quick meal recipes at hand can save you a ton of time. But including a variety of dishes is essential to have enough meal variations throughout the week. Also, ensure they are healthy and provide the key nutrients needed for a well-balanced diet.
You can schedule recipes for weekdays and weekends by preparing a weekly meal plan. It will bring predictability to meals, help plan your groceries, and eliminate the need for unhealthy takeaways.
So, what type of ingredients should you stock up on to put together quick, hassle-free dishes? Frozen veggies, fruits, meats, and fish are ideal. Most frozen foods come pre-washed and pre-cut, making them easier to use. You can also store them longer, which minimizes wastage and frequent supermarket visits.
Having a variety of sauces, herbs, and spices is also essential. Consider a selection of dried and natural herbs such as basil, parsley, mint, cilantro, and rosemary. Spices can include cumin, pepper, paprika, saffron, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves. These are perfect for infusing different flavors and making quick meals delicious and enjoyable. Not only that, they typically offer significant nutritional and health benefits, too.
For example, mint could help fight bacteria, support digestion, and reduce stress. Cumin has antioxidant properties and is known to help improve gut health and fight inflammation. Cinnamon is another spice with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. It may also reduce cholesterol, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance.
Quick tip:
When choosing frozen food, it is important to check the label for added ingredients. Be particularly mindful of salt content, seasonings, and additives. Avoid canned foods such as beans and meat, which are high in preservatives.
In addition, don’t forget to have a mix of fresh produce whenever possible. These can include fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are easy to prepare.
Choose Healthy Meal Subscriptions
Healthy meal box subscriptions have surged in popularity in recent times. They bring incredible convenience and ease for those searching for healthy alternatives to home-cooked meals.
These dishes come ready to eat, either cold or warmed up in a microwave. You can also find different dietary options, from vegan and gluten-free to keto and paleo. For example, Veestro offers plant-based meals, and Nutrisystem provides weight-loss options and diabetic-friendly plans.
The menus of these subscription services often change each week. Many come with calorie information, too. Plans can range from one to three meals per day. You can also find grab-and-go options for singles, couples, and families.
But the best part? Many of these meals are freshly prepared. It makes them much healthier than frozen, pre-cooked microwavable meals available in supermarkets.
Of course, these subscriptions could cost you more than shopping for groceries and cooking your meals at home. But they are typically less expensive than regular takeaways and restaurant meals.
Quick tip:
When selecting a subscription service, compare prices, menus, portion sizes, calories, and ingredients. A lower price doesn’t always mean you are getting your money’s worth.
Besides, not every subscription business is legitimate. Some could be running fraudulent schemes or providing inferior-quality products. So, research the company you have selected before signing up.
Start by reading online reviews. But don’t always rely on what you see online—remember, fake reviews and paid endorsements are common marketing tactics. So, speak to your friends, family, and social media connections and seek personal recommendations.
Be extra careful if you can’t find anyone who has ordered from a particular company: there is a good chance it is a hoax food subscription service. In that case, search for their contact number on PhoneHistory and check whether the details add up. You can also examine their website for any red flags. These include grammar errors, tacky content, contradicting information, and inconsistencies.
Opt for Healthy Takeaways and Restaurant Meals
Ordering takeaways and dining out doesn’t always mean you need to compromise your health. Many restaurants and cafés offer healthy dishes that are just as tasty as their calorie-loaded counterparts.
When ordering meals, ensure the essential nutrient bases—proteins, fiber, and carbs—are covered and well-balanced. Avoid deep-fried items and choose grilled, steamed, or roasted ones instead. In addition, request dressings and sauces on the side, and be mindful of portion sizes.
Quick tip:
Often, what is listed on the menu will not give you a clear picture of what a dish might include. So, before ordering, speak to the staff about meal ingredients and preparation methods. Don’t hesitate to make special requests, such as reducing salt, sugar, and oils. Ask whether you could opt for whole-grain alternatives. Many restaurants will happily accommodate special requests, especially when they don’t involve additional costs.
To Recap
Healthy eating habits are crucial for mental and physical well-being. If you don’t like cooking, there are still convenient options to enjoy tasty and nutrition-rich meals.
For instance, super-quick meal recipes such as five-ingredient dishes and one-pot meals could save a ton of prep and cooking time. All you need is a meal plan and a good selection of frozen foods, herbs, spices, and sauces.
Healthy meal subscriptions are another alternative. Although costlier than home-cooked meals, they are impressively convenient and come in various dietary options.
You can also choose healthy dishes when ordering takeaways and dining out. Ensure you select a balanced meal containing all the essential nutrients. Also, check on the preparation methods and ingredients before confirming your order.
Remember, an aversion to cooking should not prevent you from adopting healthy eating habits. With simple switches, you can still enjoy delicious food that is good for your mind, body, and soul.
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