Running a family is no mean feat. Sometimes, it can feel like you have zero time to yourself at all and when things are really pedal to the metal, some aspects of family life can suffer, such as the provision of healthy meals. If you’re running low on time, it can be all too easy to reach out for the takeout menus. Here, however, we’re going to look at some ways you make it a lot easier to ensure the family is eating well, even if you don’t have the most time.
Start planning your meals
One of the single best ways you can make sure that you always have the food that you need, at hand and ready to heat up, is by starting to invest some time in meal prep in advance. Rather than always having to cook at dinner time, doing most of the prep work hours or even days before can help you make use of when you are free, rather than forcing you to work to the family’s schedule.
Cook plenty
Take the time to learn some recipes that you can make in bulk. Whether you get a slow cooker and get used to making delicious stews, invest in a casserole dish, learn how to make pasta bakes or prepare a healthy heaping of lasagna, finding the meals that you can cook in bulk mean that you can chill the leftovers and reheat them the next time you need a meal. There are plenty of great meals that taste a lot better when you reheat them, after all.
Get healthy fast lunches
When you really don’t have time to do the prep before you have to get some food ready, you shouldn’t be afraid to rely on fast options, you should just make sure that it’s not takeouts. For instance, if you don’t have the time in the mornings to send your kids off with the nutrition they need in their lunchbox, then meal kits for kids can take perfect care of you. There is an increasing market that’s making healthier foods a lot more accessible and a lot less of an effort and time requirement for parents.
Keep your cupboard full of easy options
Keeping with the previous tip, you can make sure that you always have the home stocked with easy options that can be thrown together without a huge amount of effort. Specifically, look for items you can eat immediately, such as tinned fish, and legumes, as well as things like frozen vegetables or bulk bags of rice. Investing in a rice cooker means that it’s always super easy to heat up some rice, and then choose whatever meats or veg you have on offer to throw them all together. It’s versatile, convenient, and if you’re using brown rice, good for your family, too. Just mind your serving portions.
With the tips above, it should be easier to ensure you’re taking care of not just your family’s appetite, but their nutritional needs, too, even when you’re in a rush.
This is a collaborative post.
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