I'm trying to take better care of myself, but I detest turning on the oven. If you want to learn how to cheapest way to eat healthy without cooking, listen up. It's possible. With a little patience and ingenuity, eating healthy can be simple – even if you dislike cooking.
Choose Healthy Convenience Foods
The simplest approach to eat healthily without cooking is to stock up on healthy convenience foods. While 'convenience' may seem to be at odds with health, there are several easy-to-prepare meals that are also nutritious.
Whether you choose healthy salad mixes or pre-made basics, having a few simple alternatives to choose from will make it much simpler to fulfill your healthy eating goals.
Examples of nutritious convenience foods are:
- Precooked Whole Grains
- Frozen Vegetables
- Precooked Chicken Strips
- Deli Chicken Low-Sodium Soups
- Canned Salmon
- Ready-to-Eat boiled eggs.
- Keep a Crudités. Tray Handy: Dress Up an Apple Bean Salad
- Trim Takeout & Prepared Meal Services
Helpful Tools
While sophisticated utensils and appliances are not required, they may make healthy eating more convenient. If you dislike cooking, you may consider the following gadgets and small appliances to save time and effort while creating healthful meals.
Microwave: If you dislike using the oven and cooktop, you may want to try a microwave. Microwaves are sometimes neglected, yet they can do much more than merely cook meals. Microwaves may be used to bake potatoes, steam fresh vegetables, and boil water.
Food processor: Food processors are fantastic for mixing fruit and yogurt to create smoothies, but did you know they can also chop? Most high-quality food processors can chop vegetables, make sauces, and even grind nuts for homemade nut butter.
Rice cooker: Rice is an excellent staple. Adding rice to a dish is a healthy, simple, and inexpensive way to bulk it out. However, if you loathe cooking, making rice on the stovetop may seem intimidating. Fear not, a rice cooker may make the task easier by consistently producing flawless rice – as long as you employ the right water-to-rice ratio.
Read also: Pumpkin Muffins with Maple Cream Cheese Filling
The cheapest way to eat healthily without cooking.
Precooked Whole Grains
Whole grains such as brown rice and quinoa increase fiber consumption while lowering your risk of heart disease, colon cancer, and type 2 diabetes. However, you do not have to endure the lengthy cooking process to get the benefits. Precooked grains are available in the frozen food category as well as ready-to-microwave bowls or pouches; however, keep an eye out for extra salt. Serve as a delicious side dish or combine with vegetables or precooked meat to make a full dinner.
Frozen Vegetables
Frozen fruit, such as green beans, has the same nutrients as fresh and, in some cases, retains them even better. No shelling, shucking, or soaking is necessary; just cook them on the stove or in the microwave. Furthermore, they have less salt than typical canned products. Use them in salads, canned soups, or with microwaved brown rice.
Precooked Chicken Strips
Precooked chicken strips are more convenient than a complete fryer or frozen cutlets, especially if you're preparing for one or two people. Balance the greater salt content with the remainder of your diet. Place them on a salad or beside a healthy grain side and vegetables. Also, stay with lean grilled kinds; breaded strips have extra fat, salt, and other chemicals.
Deli Chicken
A flavorful rotisserie chicken may be an excellent purchase that yields more than one no-cook dish. However, be aware that not all ladies are created equal. Delis often inject their chickens with sugar, salt, and other substances to keep the birds wet and looking good longer. Look for USDA-certified organic chickens that are low in salt. If there is no label, contact the shop manager.
Read also: House Favorite Garlic Bread
Soups with lower sodium content
Even some "healthy" soups include a high level of salt, which is what makes them shelf mainstays. However, there are several options available now that have less salt. Canned soup may also be made heartier and healthier by adding a handful of vegetables from the fridge, leftover brown rice, or chopped rotisserie chicken. Garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese for an added taste boost.
Canned Salmon
While tuna fish is usually a good option, did you know that the majority of salmon in pouches and cans is wild-caught? This reduces its calorie and saturated fat content compared to cultivated varieties. For a substantial supper, spoon it over a salad or top with frozen vegetables and pesto.
Ready-to-eat boiled eggs
It does not take long to cook an egg. But sometimes you simply want to consume something straight now. Prepared hard-boiled eggs. They still include protein, minimal saturated fat, antioxidants, and minerals such as copper, zinc, and iron. Slice them and serve with salad or bread, in a breakfast dish, or by themselves.
Keep a crudité tray handy.
Serve fresh vegetables as an appetizer, or crudités if you're feeling sophisticated. Think celery, carrot sticks, sliced cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes. Add your own twist with romaine lettuce, bell peppers, pickles, fruit, or anything you prefer. Fill down your plate with store-bought hummus, salsa, or savory yogurt dip.
Read also: Slow Cooker Texas Style Chili
Dress Up an Apple.
Apples are delicious on their own, but they also go well with a variety of dishes.
For a satisfying treat, dip slices in nut butter (cashew, sunflower, almond, or peanut) or snack on cheese bits.
Cut apples and dates into quick-cooking oatmeal. Mix in seeds such as chia or hemp. Add a dab of your favourite spice.
Prepare a raw apple or pear dish. Slice, then top with nuts and dried fruit, oats, lemon juice, and cinnamon.
Bean Salad
To prepare a full supper, open a couple cans of beans (green, cannellini, garbanzo, and kidney are popular options). To add a variation, mix in chopped vegetables and avocados. Drizzle on your favourite dressing. Or, wrap your salad in giant leaves collard greens.
Trim Takeout.
The ultimate no-cook dish is takeout (or delivery). And determining what is healthy to consume is rather straightforward. Many restaurants assist out by including special "healthy" marks on their menus. However, excellent general guidelines include ordering skinless, lean meat cooked virtually any way except fried; whole-grain bread or pasta; and a baked potato or salad instead of a fatty side dish. Skip the fried and "loaded" appetizers, as well as the high-calorie sweets.
Read also: Easy Instant Pot Applesauce
Prepared Meal Services
Many providers deliver healthful precooked meals to most areas. When you consider how much you may squander in cooking and storage, they may be more cost-effective than you realize. Breakfast options include affordable, gourmet, plant-based, low-calorie or low-carb, as well as meals for particular dietary requirements. Many firms provide both à la carte and subscription plan alternatives. Some ship completely fresh. Most lunches run between $8.50 and $18.
FAQ's
Can you eat a healthy diet without cooking?
Can you eat well without cooking? If you don't want to cook or can't face the kitchen, it doesn't mean you have to forego delicious, nutritious meals. If you read the product labels, you can still eat a healthy balanced diet using pre-made and packaged foods.
How can I eat healthy on a budget with no time?
- Plan Your Recipes. Planning ahead allows you to think about your food needs, tastes, and budget.
- Shop With a List.
- Buy Frozen or Canned.
- Cut Cost With Coupons.
- Buy Store Brands.
