Eating healthy takes planning and motivation, right? Not necessarily. Here are some tips and tricks that even the laziest person can get behind to maintain a healthy diet!
- Buy pre-cut or frozen vegetables. Too lazy to peel and chop veggies? Buy pre-chopped or frozen vegetables. Look for them in the produce aisle.This’ll save you time and dishes when you’re cooking. Here are some recipes that work great with frozen or pre-cut veggies:
- Keep snacks on hand that are high in protein. Snacking on high-protein items increases satiety and helps with weight management. Try keeping string cheese, Greek yogurt, and almonds on hand when you’re looking for a mid-morning or an afternoon snack.
- Sleep more. Yes! Every lazy person should love the fact that getting a great night's sleep may help you keep the hormone ghrelin in check. It’s the hormone that causes you to be hungry and controls your appetite. In general, adults need between 7–9 hours of rest. To make sure that you’re able to fall asleep quickly, try turning off electronics at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
- Invest in a slow cooker. For those of us who want to spend as little time as possible in the kitchen, using a slow cooker is the best solution. Slow cookers allow you to dump the ingredients in the morning and come home to a healthy dinner. Try putting in a few chicken breasts with a ¼ cup water and 3 teaspoons minced garlic, then cook on low for 8 hours. Shred when it’s done. You can use the shredded chicken throughout the week to create quick meals. Throw on top of salads, into soups, or in stir fry or tacos. Here are a few of my favorite slow cooker recipes:
- One-pot meals. Does having to do dishes deter you from cooking? I love cooking, but even I can sometimes lose my motivation when I think of the pile of dishes I’ll have to do afterward. These one-pot meals aren’t just delicious—they keep me from cleaning up a giant mess when I’m done:
- Kale and Sausage Pasta
- One-pot Thai Noodles
- One-pot Pasta Primavera
- Stock your pantry with quick go-tos. I like keeping whole-grain couscous, quinoa, tortillas, canned beans, tuna, and canned chicken on hand. In just twenty minutes, you can create a delicious meal! Try a few recipes that feature these ingredients:
- Easy Chicken Parmesan Bake
- Creamy Chicken Taquitos
- Vegan Enchiladas
- Vegan Bean Tostada
Try incorporating these effortless ideas into your daily routine to start your journey towards a healthier, not busier, life!
Michelle Alley, B.S.
iFit Nutritionist
http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/060112p48.shtml
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