5 Strategies for Busy Caregivers To Eat Right
The hectic schedule of a caregiver often doesn’t allow for time to cook healthy meals. But nutritious meals are one of the best ways to fuel the body, especially during times of increased stress. A little bit of planning can go a long way to make mealtime more enjoyable.
- Use Your Slow Cooker – When grocery shopping, buy two types of meat such as chicken and pre-cut stew beef. Place chicken in the slow cooker when you return from the store and cook until done. Refrigerate and shred for chicken salad or burrito filling, or both. The following day, place stew meat in slow cooker with beef broth, one diced potato and a bag of your favorite frozen vegetables. Cook on low and enjoy a comforting, one-pot dinner when you return home from a long day. Enjoy leftovers for the next few days.
- Cook in double batches – Instead of cooking a pound of ground beef, pre-cook two pounds. Use one half for a meal early in the week and freeze the other half. Later In the week, thaw the frozen beef to make sloppy joes or taco filling.
- Share with a friend – make a deal with a family member or friend. Each of you cooks a large batch of a soup or casserole and divides it into two large portions. Each of you cooks once but gains two entrees.
- Keep meals simple. Meals don’t have to be warm to be nutritious and satisfying. Try a no-bake meal such as lettuce salad topped with black beans, olives, and avocado. This can be put together quickly by opening a couple of canned goods and a bag of pre-washed lettuce.
- Snack smart – snack on fruit such as a banana paired with a single serving package of nuts or trail mix. No preparation needed!
This helpful information was provided by Registered Dietitian, Staci Small MA, RD, owner of The Wellness Philosophy Inc.
533 E. County Line Rd., Suite 104
Greenwood, IN 46143
P: 317.362.6528
staci@thewellnessphilosophy.com
http://www.thewellnessphilosophy.com
http://www.facebook.com/stacismallrd
Staci recently joined us on Caregiver Crossing to discuss nutrition with the team. Listen to both segments by clicking on the Soundcloud links below.
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