6 Ways To Eat Healthy If You Hate Cooking (Or Don’t Have The Time)

When we think about healthy eating, we often picture vegetable-filled salads and fancy chicken dinners. Although it’s true that cooking your own meals is the healthiest way to go, just because you hate being in the kitchen doesn’t mean you’re doomed to be unhealthy. Eating nutritiously is a lifestyle, and it can be one that fits into your schedule even if you’re not the biggest fan of cooking.

Preparing your own food can be time consuming, and many of us live on-the-go lives, so cooking isn’t always the first thing we do when we get home. Instead of letting your healthy habits fall by the wayside, try following the below six tips to help you eat well even if you aren’t a huge fan of cooking.

1. Drink Smoothies

A surefire way to get loads of nutrients from fruits and veggies is to throw them in a blender. Dietary guidelines suggest consuming two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables daily, so a smoothie is a great way to get your vitamins and minerals in one try. You can also throw in nuts and seeds for extra protein and nutrients.

smoothie photo
Photo by Pamela J Bates/Mercantile Muse

2. Snack Smart

There’s nothing wrong with eating healthy snacks throughout the day instead of indulging in big, home-made meals. Experts say that eating small “mini-meals” throughout the day can actually keep your metabolism revved up and our blood sugar steady. Just make sure the snacks you are choosing are healthy and whole aren’t your typical grocery store junk food filled with salt and sugar.

nuts photo

3. Use A Crockpot

Prepare your meal the morning or evening before by using a slow cooker. One-pot meals require minimal effort — all you need to do is throw your ingredients in the crockpot, and hours later you have a full meal that may even be able to last you the week. And since you choose what to throw in, it’s easier to make your meals clean.

crockpot photo
Photo by ninacoco

4. Cook In Bulk

Speaking of lasting the week, if you do have a day where you decide to attempt some culinary skills, make a big batch that can last you the week. If you don’t like eating the same thing frequently, freeze foods such as soup for later. Studies have found that people who spend longer meal prepping and planning have healthier habits, so even if it’s just once a week, it can pay to plan ahead.

bulk food photo
Photo by Cloned Milkmen

5. Team Up With A Friend

So you don’t like cooking, but maybe you have a friend who does. Turn making meals into a social event, and it might even inspire you to get into the kitchen yourself. Eating with friends can not only boost your mood, but it can also encourage you to make healthier choices.

cooking photo
Photo by MLazarevski

6. Make Modifications

If you’re eating out at a restaurant, don’t be afraid to make changes to your order that will make your meal more healthy. In addition to making healthy changes to your order, be wary of portion size. Studies have found that 96 percent of America’s chain restaurant entrees exceeded USDA’s recommendations for fat, saturated fat and sodium.

waiter photo

Photo by photographybanzai

Photo by spinster cardigan

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About the Author
Carina Wolff
Carina is a health and wellness journalist based in Los Angeles. When she’s not writing, doing yoga, or exploring mountains and beaches, she spends her time cooking and creating recipes for her healthy food blog, Kale Me Maybe. Carina is also an ongoing writer for Bustle, Reader's Digest, FabFitFun, and more.

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