When it comes to eating healthy, most of us know how important it is to make our own food at home. The food is fresher, free of added chemicals, and not loaded up with enhancers such as salt and sugar.
However, not everyone loves to cook, and sometimes the idea of coming home and having to put together a chicken dinner from scratch sounds daunting.
Luckily, if you’re not a fan of spending time in the kitchen, there are still ways you can stay healthy even if you’re not the next Top Chef. Eating all your meals out at restaurants won’t help you get in shape or lose any weight, so you need to find the tricks to put together food easily at home.
If you’re trying to eat healthy and stay fit, but you don’t want to spend much time around the oven, consider these seven tips to stay healthy even if you hate cooking.
1. Eat Raw Fruits And Vegetables
“Snacking on foods like strawberries, grapes, carrots, or celery in their natural state is not only good for you, but requires no cooking time,” says Tiffany DeWitt, RD, a dietitian with Abbott. Keep these fruits and vegetables on hand to avoid reaching for other tempting options.
2. Make Open-Faced Sandwiches
“Eat your sandwiches open-faced with whole wheat bread,” says DeWitt. You’ll still avoid cooking, but have a meal with half the carbs.” Keep options like turkey, avocado, and hummus in your fridge to mix and match so you don’t get bored.
3. Buy Pre-Cut Veggies
“Buy fruits and veggies pre-chopped,” says DeWitt. “You can throw together a quick salad for dinner without any of the prep time. Top with leftover chicken or canned beans for added protein too.”
4. Enjoy Overnight Oats
“Make overnight oats for breakfast,” says DeWitt. “No cooking required, and you get some extra time to sleep.” You can also make big batches at the beginning of the week to last for multiple meals.
5. Utilize Rotisserie Chicken
“Precooked, rotisserie chicken is a quick healthy option you can pick up from the store to make sure you’re getting in protein,” says DeWitt. Have it for dinner and put the leftovers on a sandwich the next day. Try using one of those recipes to make a creative meal out of the chicken.
6. Make Healthy Swaps
“Load up your sandwiches with veggies, and swap out the mayo for pesto, roasted peppers, etc. for great flavor,” says DeWitt. Making small diet tweaks can help you stay in shape without having to make a whole meal from scratch.
