We all start off the day with the best of intentions. We’re going to find time to exercise, and fit three healthy meals into our schedules. But then life happens, and we’re tempted to grab dinner from the nearest drive-through on the way home.
Did you know it’s almost as quick to grab a few healthy items from the grocery store? Check out these ten meal shortcuts, and throwing together a simple, nutritious meal can be a breeze.
Pre-cooked dishes from the deli. Check out options like rotisserie chickens, roasted pork loins, salads, and soups. They’re ready to eat; just pop a lid and portion out onto a plate (or bowl).
Frozen cooked rice and quinoa. Check the frozen food section for pre-cooked grains. Just heat them up and toss with stir-fried veggies, and you have a healthy meal in ten minutes or less.
Pre-cut veggies. Speaking of veggies, grab the pre-cut ones from the produce department to save prep time.
Pre-cooked beets. You can find steamed, packaged beets in the produce section (check the refrigerator). Pop open the package, combine with greens, walnuts, and a sprinkle of goat cheese crumbles, and you have a healthy salad.
Salad kits. Packaged salad kits have come a long way since the days of iceburg lettuce and envelopes of ranch dressing. Today you can find a variety of specialty salads, ready to go, in the produce department.
Shelled edamame. Toss shelled edamame into soups, salads, or stir-fry for added nutrition without a lot of added work.
Bagged haricot verts. These are smaller and more tender than regular green beans, and can be easily steamed in the microwave for a quick nutritious side dish.
Frozen veggies. Are you craving butternut squash soup, but don’t want to deal with the hassle of cutting open a hard squash and roasting the insides? Shortcut the process with frozen butternut squash chunks. You can use this trick with a variety of frozen vegetables to create many different dishes.
Hummus. Grab a container of your favorite hummus and a bag of sliced veggies, and lunch is ready!
Tofu. You can find pre-sliced tofu in the produce section, for a quick protein-packed addition to sandwiches, salads, and stir-fries.
Of course, you might need more assistance in putting together a healthy eating plan. We’re here for you! Give us a call, and we can discuss a weight loss diet (or simply a nutritious maintenance diet) that will work for you.
