Drive through fast food, pizza at the front door, microwave frozen dinners–in today’s hectic lifestyle, sometimes it’s hard to remember to eat, let alone cook a healthy meal in a hurry. Quick doesn’t have to mean unhealthy; it’s more a matter of planning ahead and having the ingredients you need already in the house. Change your shopping habits a bit so you’re prepared to whip up a nutritious meal in a hurry, and you’ll give new meaning to the term “fast food.”
Step 1
Plan your menus and shop accordingly. Make sure you keep a good supply of fresh fruits and vegetables on hand, as well as cheese, eggs and precooked chicken or beef strips (cooked at home or packaged) and seasoning sauces. Dessert is the perfect time to enjoy a serving of fruit in your diet on a regular basis.
Step 2
Whip up some stir fry with whatever vegetables are in season or in your freezer. Broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, carrots and onions make a meal when you add a cup of beef strips and some teriyaki seasoning.
Step 3
Master the art of omelet making and you’ll have a fast healthy meal in minutes. Add cheese and a handful of vegetables and you can call it gourmet; serve with a bowl of fruit and some whole wheat rolls and you have a feast.
Step 4
Conquer the crock pot for an endless supply of nutritious tasty meals that can be ready when you get home. A lean roast will melt in your mouth when it’s cooked slowly all day; steam some vegetables in the microwave and you’re good to go.
Step 5
Use your imagination. You can make a healthy pizza at home because you rule the ingredients. By using frozen whole wheat bread dough, low fat cheese and fresh vegetables, you can transform this “no-no” food into a healthy meal.
Step 6
Buy lean ground beef or sirloin and make patties to freeze. Broiled and served on a whole wheat roll with a microwave baked potato and salad will give you a well deserved break in half an hour, and you won’t have to stand in line to get it.
