A Dietitian's Guide to Cooking When You Don't Have The Time

 

It’s midterm season, which means it’s getting increasingly hard to find the time to do… just about anything, let alone cook ourselves a nutritious meal! Whether in school or busy with work, ordering takeout always seems like the easiest alternative (fallback) to making our very own meals. Thankfully over the years, I was able to learn a couple of tips & tricks to help me stick to a balanced diet no matter how busy my schedule was.

I’ve got you covered with these three simple tricks.

1. Plan Ahead

Although it’s much easier said than done, the most important thing you can do is to better organize your time: make a study schedule, plan your grocery list ahead, find slots to cook your meals, and make room for buffers. Once that’s done, stick to it and trust your planning. Remember, your health will always be more important than your grades

If you have the budget for it, a meal delivery service can also be a great option to help add more variety to your menu and to cut down on some prep work. In fact, some companies are dedicated to providing nutritious food to people with busier schedules. The packages can include catered pre-made meals, or ingredients for delicious recipes.

→ Pro-tip: When making your grocery list, have your weekly menu in mind and don’t forget to grab some healthy snacks! Fore more tips on how to make a healthy snack, click here.


2. Simplify your recipes

Now that you’ve got some good recipes in mind, find ways to simplify them. Stick to the basics and cook what you’d want to eat! Use canned or frozen veggies to minimize prep time, or use ingredients you already have on hand.

Don’t underestimate the power of no-cook meals! A plain old sandwich can go a long way. Take inspiration from minimal-cooking-required recipes, such as…

→ Pro-tip: Consider having breakfast for dinner! Breakfasts are often less elaborate than dinner, while still being just as nutritious. Try scrambled eggs with mushrooms and onions, or oatmeal with fruit and Greek yoghurt.

3. Save your leftovers


Keeping leftovers to save for later can be game changing. In fact, always try cooking more food than you would normally eat in one sitting. That way, you’ll have a lunch or a dinner ready for when you need it most!

For more tips on how to meal prep like a pro, check out my Meal Prep Guide.

Keep your head in the game!

Keeping your life together during the more stressful times of the year can help you be more productive and overall, just have a better quality of life. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re feeling overwhelmed with school or work:

  • Get enough sleep — Find a way to catch your Z’s.

  • Eat enough food — Your brain and body will thank you!

  • Be confident — Do the best you can and trust your aptitude to do amazing.

What are your best study hacks?

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Laura NguyenComment