What To Cook When You Don’t Want To Cook
There’s so much to love about cooking your own meals. You get to make your favorite dishes. You can put your own spin on them. But, let’s face it: Life can get in the way and sometimes you just don’t want to cook.
So, what do you do? Going out to eat or ordering takeout is always an option. But food cooked at home isn’t the same as what you get at a restaurant. Studies show that restaurant meals often contain more sodium, saturated fat, total fat and calories compared to home-cooked meals.
Also, it’s cheaper to cook your meals at home. While it’s true that you pay more for groceries, your per-meal price is generally lower if you’re buying pantry staples. Cooking at home often allows you to have more portions, which can be used for leftovers the next day.
If you don’t feel like cooking, try to think of the benefits of making an easy meal compared to ordering in. Some meals can be prepared in as little as a few minutes. Here are some healthy-yet-easy recipes you can try.
Breakfast
Avocado toast is a good source of healthy fats. Smash together half an avocado with lemon or lime juice and spread it over 100% whole grain toast. For extra protein, you can smash white beans into the avocado mixture or add a cooked egg on top.
Greek yogurt contains calcium, which is an essential mineral that strengthens your bones. Add some fresh fruit, nuts, seeds and/or granola to give it an extra nutrition boost. Just remember to choose a yogurt that doesn’t contain much sugar or other added sweeteners.
Lunch
Pasta alone isn’t very nutritious, but it can be turned into a nutritionally balanced pasta salad. Mix in some non-starchy vegetables, cheese, white beans and diced chicken breast so you’re covering your bases. Try to use 100% whole wheat pasta for added fiber.
Veggie quesadillas are a spin on the Mexican classic. You can add all sorts of vegetables to it: onions, peppers and any leftover roasted vegetables you have. Serving it with some guacamole and/or salsa can help you add new flavors and nutrition to your meal.
Dinner
Stir frys are a great way to quickly turn your pantry and leftovers into a healthy meal. By cooking together a protein, veggies and a carb base (think rice or noodles), a stir fry is a complete meal that keeps you full.
Baked potatoes give you all the nutrition of potatoes, like potassium, magnesium and iron, without the hassle of chopping and dicing. All you need to do is throw a potato in the oven. Serve it with a protein and some veggies on the side for a balanced meal.
Nutritional advice is always on hand
If you’re looking for meal ideas and other nutritional advice that’s personalized to your health, you can use telehealth services from Teladoc® Health. Use your phone or computer to connect with a registered dietician who can evaluate your nutritional needs and develop personalized diet meal plans and more.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/easy-healthy-meals
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/home-cooking-versus-takeout
