It Will Get Easier

When I first started eating more whole, unprocessed foods, I admit, it was hard. Going from frozen meals, canned soups or a bowl of cereal for a meal to having to cook “real” food was not easy. I mean, for one thing, I didn’t really know how to cook! Plus, it took a lot more planning and preparation.  I mean, lets face it, pouring a bowl of cereal or heating up a can of soup is just easier than cooking fresh chicken!

At first, planning meals seemed to consume my mind. I will admit that I had anxiety over food for a while. I was constantly thinking about what I was going to eat for my next meal. Over time, however, it just became second nature.

Once I learned certain strategies, such as cooking food in bulk, chopping up vegetables ahead of time, and  having my "go to" meals, it made ALL the difference! Now, I have all my food cooked and know that it is there for me when I want it. I no longer worry or stress over what my next meal is going to be.

Here is my key to making healthy eating as easy and stress free as possible: my go to meals, which I make sure that I always have on hand throughout the week:

-Ground lean turkey or chicken, seasoned with low sodium taco seasoning. I eat  this with salsa, on a salad, or with quinoa mixed in
-Turkey burgers or lean beef burgers, which I eat on a lettuce bun
-Crockpot chicken-cooked in crockpot with vegetable broth, chili powder, onion powder, and  a little salsa or diced onions and green peppers
-Oven baked chicken, seasoned with Mrs. Dash-good on top of a salad
-Grilled marinated chicken-marinated in oil, egg, vinegar, salt, and seasonings
-Brown rice or quinoa cooked in bulk if you do grains
-Chopped romaine lettuce for salads
-Chopped broccoli or cauliflower

Other meals I sometimes have on hand:
Pumpkin protein bars
Hard boiled eggs
Canned tuna-mix with a little mayo(yes, I eat mayo occasionally!)
Chili, made with lean meat, beans, and diced tomatoes
 

So what I'm saying is that at first, it WILL be hard going from convenience foods and fast food to cooking fresh meats and vegetables. It does take a little more planning and preparation, and it is a little more time consuming. A little anxiety is to be expected at FIRST. But once this becomes your lifestyle; once you develop certain habits and strategies, it will become second nature. Eventually, you will find a routine that works for you. So just know that eventually, it will get easier-you just have to stick with it! The extra work will be worth it.