When simple is just better!

Sometimes the best place to start is to break something into smaller, more simple chunks. This applies to our diet and nutrition. Let's not over-complicate it - I'll show you how keeping things simple can be a better approach!

Whether you are starting on the journey of "healthier" living, trying to eat more fruits and veggies, or wanting to do more meal planning to save time and money, sometimes the best place to start is SIMPLE. What do I mean by this?

I am referring to the thousands of recipes available at our fingertips due to social media, the Internet, family recipes, cookbooks, etc. It can be so overwhelming! When I am on a cooking kick, it is so easy to try and fill my week night dinners with new recipes. I'm usually left with an extra long grocery list and hours in the kitchen. What I am proposing is a balance - the best of both worlds if you will. It will help you stick with the changes you are trying to make! Here is what I mean.

We've talked about the macro-nutrients - protein, carbs, and fats. A "balanced" meal is 1/2 of your plate with veggies. You know the drill! So in the beginning, it is 1000% okay to have simple, balanced meals. I would even recommend that! Those that consist of a protein, carb (rice, quinoa, potatoes, noodles, etc), fat, and fruits/veggies. The goal is to try and stick with whatever change you are making - not that you get so overwhelmed with an elaborate dinner that you just say "screw it" and go to a restaurant. I've been there I promise!

When I started incorporating more simple meals into my meal plan, I looked forward to the nights of trying new, more complicated recipes - instead of dreading how early I would have to start cooking. Some examples of simple dinners could be preparing a chicken breast with rice and serving a side of veggies. It could even be something like fish tacos - corn tortillas (carb) with baked fish seasoned with taco seasoning (protein) topped with avocado or cheese (fat) and a vegetable (a salad, brussel sprouts, green beans, etc). Better yet, you could have it be a one pan dinner - chicken sausage or chicken thighs, roasted new potatoes, and carrots or broccoli. All seasoned the same and on the same pan!

These are just a few options that can save you time and money! The message here is to focus also on yourself. Do not let yourself burn out from preparing 5 elaborate meals every week. Then, cooking becomes a chore - where is the fun in that? By having a good mix of easy, quick meals with a new meal from a cookbook, you are giving yourself a break!

Another hack to keep things simple is making enough of dinner to have a serving or two for leftovers the next day. That makes for a quick and delicious lunch that you do not have to think about. Pair that meal with an easy dinner later that night, and you have given yourself a much needed cooking break. Now, you might ask where the heck you start when thinking of simple meals... I will list some for you!

Protein:

Chicken

Fish - salmon, cod, tilapia

Shrimp

Ground Turkey

Ground Beef

Eggs

Tofu

Chickpeas

Carbohydrates:

any kind of rice

beans

potatoes

sweet potatoes

quinoa

tortillas - flour or corn (higher in fiber and a whole grain!)

Fat:

avocado

olive oil and other cooking oils

peanut butter and other nut butters

nuts of any kind

cheese

Vegetable:

brussel sprouts

green beans

salad - leafy greens (kale, romaine, mixed greens)

carrots

bell peppers

cauliflower

asparagus

sugar snap peas

peas

squash - butternut, spaghetti, acorn

This is just a brief start, but you can mix and match these options to create a simple, delicious dinner! After a few nights of simple dinners, you will be ready and excited to be adventurous with a new recipe. I have found the best way to stick to whatever changes I want to make are when they are easy, quick, save me money, and delicious. It may require a little planning, but future you will thank yourself!