With busy schedules, errands, chores and other household responsibilities, it’s not surprising that some tasks either fall by the wayside or parents opt for shortcuts. One such responsibility is finding the time to prepare and cook healthy meals every day. It’s often easier to opt for takeout.
Since takeaway meals can be ordered in a matter of minutes using an app, many people resort to this when they’re pressed for time. If it makes life easier, why not? However, it’s important to opt for the healthy meal delivery Melbourne residents are finding so beneficial, rather than just pizza or other traditional fast food. And we have some other meal tips for busy households too!
Easier Than Ever to Eat Healthy
There was a time, not so long ago, that if you wanted healthy food, you would have to take the time to do the shopping, meal prep and cooking. Fortunately, just as buying junk has become quick and simple, it has also never been easier to make healthier food choices. Our chefs have compiled a list of tips that make it easy to add healthier meal alternatives to your daily schedule, no matter how busy you are.
Opt for a Meal Delivery Service
The good news is that it’s not only food companies that offer food delivery services in a jiffy. Opting for a meal delivery service that specialises in healthy foods makes it possible for you to have vegetables, fruits and other healthy options delivered to your home or office every day.
With expert chefs preparing your meals, you can be assured that your dishes are not only cooked using the freshest ingredients but there’s also minimal preservatives. With a wide selection of choices, it’s super easy to have enough variety for the whole week. Reputable meal delivery services also have specialised menus for special dietary requirements.
Change the Snack Choices
Another easy way to increase the amount of healthy food your family consumes is to change the types of snacks you buy. Chuck out chips, sweets, chocolates and biscuits and replace them with some of the following:
- Nuts and seeds such as almonds, pistachios and even pumpkin or chia seeds.
- Low-fat yoghurts as these are not only tasty but are excellent for maintaining gut health.
- A wide variety of fresh fruit—make them readily available and encourage your children to grab one whenever they pass the kitchen or head out the door.
- Health and cereal bars rather than chocolate.
For drinking, replace sugary sodas with fruit juices and flavoured waters.
Involve Your Children in the Food Choices
It’s easier to get your children to buy into the concept of making healthier food choices if you involve them in picking meals. Use the menu from your meal delivery service and encourage them to choose a different meal every day.
Give them freedom in meal choices, but make it a rule to try out a new vegetable or fruit with each meal. This way, you’ll be able to expose them to more veggie options and they may discover ones they love.
Be a Good Role Model
It’s important to keep in mind that it’s going to be challenging for you to convince your children to ditch the junk food and opt for veggies if you’re not going to. It’s important to make time in busy schedules to eat a few meals a week together as a family. This is an excellent way for your children to see you eating and trying out different dishes and vegetables.
Also, educate your kids on the importance of eating healthy and how it benefits the whole family and health in general.
Pack Daily Lunches
Eating healthier isn’t only about changing your diet at home. Cutting out junk food for lunch is another important aspect to work on. This can easily done by packing everyone’s own lunch rather than buying food from the local vendor. Some top lunch options to consider:
- Tuna or chicken mayo sandwiches made on 100% whole-wheat or even rye bread.
- Create different salads made of chicken, veggies and even fruit.
- Include snacks such as yoghurt, seeds and vegetable sticks.
- Order healthy lunches from your meal delivery services.
- Leftovers from meals such as stir fries, lasagnas or casseroles can also be used as lunches the next day.
- Add a variety of fruits to everyone’s lunch boxes to snack on during the day.
Grow Your Own Garden
Another fun way to encourage your family to eat healthier is to start a veggie and herb garden. This doesn’t have to be an enormous backyard venture. You can create a few raised bed garden boxes and encourage your children to plant veggies such as potatoes, peppers, onions, garlic and tomatoes.
Once the veggies and fruit start growing, teach the children about the harvesting process. Help them choose a few different recipes to try out with their homegrown produce.
Final Thoughts
Ensuring that your family members eat well-balanced and nutritious meals every day doesn’t have to be an enormous chore. All it takes is some simple changes to your current meal options as well as signing up with your local meal delivery service. By involving your children in the meal choices, everyone will be eating healthier in no time!
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