Meals should be special. You are feeding your body with food that should give you energy, health and overall wellbeing. Treat your mealtimes with some respect.
As with so many things, time planning is critical. Something so important as food for your soul should be given the time it deserves.
“Why should I?” I hear you cry... I can go to the supermarket and get a meal deal that I put into the oven or the microwave (have you noticed that ready meals are rarely cooked on the stove!), and be eating a reasonable calorie counted meal in 10 minutes. Yes, you can, and sometimes this is ok. But as you slop out the food from the floppy, hot black container please look at it and think... Is this healthy? In reality, though, your mind is probably on your favourite tv show which is about to start.
Creating a meal from scratch, which will put busy people off, is an art. When dieting, you need to take time to plan meals. Possibly invest in a slow cooker and make a large batch of a vegetable casserole. Even then, the problem with this is that you will not be able to watch your portion sizes as there is plenty to eat.
Tip: for when time is short, cook a small amount of fresh pasta, but some lean slices of ham or another protein and a ready-made mixed salad with low-calorie dressing, with a small fruit salad for dessert. Then, set the table properly with glasses and napkins. Use your best plates and bowls. Don’t rush the whole process. A few breadsticks stuck in the middle of the table will give you that local Italian restaurant ambience feel, and then adjust the lighting or a candle! You will finish your healthy meal feeling special and worthwhile.
You can also do this for weekend breakfasts. Keep a fresh coffee pot on the table and use the time to just be.
The point is that the event is the meal. The entertainment is you eating it. Keep all other noises and distractions on hold. My husband and I always turn the radio off and the tumble dryer. This is our time.
How many adverts are telling us to eat on the go, a shake or ‘health bar’. Stop. This is not how we should be eating. We will forget we’ve eaten and purchase another shake or ‘health bar’ .... and that’s the marketing catch!
Get your dining experience back. Keep the table clear with a vase of fresh flowers. The sofa doesn’t want you to eat on it - that’s for watching telly.
If you want to talk through how you carve out time in your busy life and make mealtimes special, please get in touch.