Plan Ahead for Food, Fast—Not Fast Food

GroceryAt the end of a long day, coming up with a recipe, stopping at the store, and making a meal can be more than you can manage.

Instead, plan ahead for what you want to cook and need to buy. This can keep you from splurging on high-calorie, costly takeout or restaurant meals.

Find a system that works for you, whether it’s posting your menu and grocery list on your refrigerator or entering it into an app or spreadsheet.

Keep It Healthy

These tips can help you prepare healthy, low-fat meals:

  • Keep fresh and frozen vegetables on hand. A supply of salad greens and other veggies makes it easy to whip up a salad. And frozen veggies can be quickly warmed up in the microwave for a side dish.
  • Stock your pantry with healthy ingredients so you can create nourishing dishes with little fuss. Include brown rice, whole wheat pasta, kidney and black beans, cans of diced tomatoes, olive oil, and your favorite spices.
  • Use your grill. Outdoor barbecues and indoor electric grills cook foods quickly and with less fat than pan frying or sautéing.
  • Make meatless meals, which are healthier and less expensive. Food items like almonds, black beans, chia seeds, chickpeas, edamame, Greek yogurt, lentils, and tofu are all excellent sources of protein.

Make It Fast

When time is of the essence, keep these tips in mind:

  • Look for recipes with few ingredients. Less measuring, slicing, and dicing make dinner come together faster.
  • Use your food processor. These machines are great for chopping vegetables and blending sauces.
  • Master quick-cooking techniques. Stir-frying and microwaving take less time than stewing, for example.
  • Double your recipes and freeze them in meal-sized containers. Soups, stews, casseroles, and grilled meats freeze beautifully.

Article from The StayWell Company, LLC