Preparing a balanced, healthy dinner that the whole family will enjoy can often be a source of great stress. The thought of facing the fridge or pantry with doubts about meal suitability or appeal for picky eaters can be overwhelming. If meal delivery services aren’t in your budget or are getting out of hand, the burden of meal preparation can feel pretty heavy.
We teamed up with Annie Xystouris, a certified health coach for moms, who shared some tips with us about how to make dinner preparation less stressful and more enjoyable. As a mom of two girls, she is dedicated to helping moms prevent burnout and reclaim their lives.
Strategies for Stress-Free Meals Here’s a set of practical tips shared by Annie to help simplify your cooking process and reduce stress:
Utilize Frozen Foods Opt for frozen vegetables and fruits which are pre-chopped and ready to use. Contrary to popular belief, they retain much of their nutritional value since they are frozen soon after harvest. This not only saves time but also reduces meal prep stress.
Expand Your Freezer Space If possible, invest in a larger freezer. This allows you to store bulk-cooked meals and frozen products, which are economical and convenient for quick dinners.
Embrace Batch Cooking Cook meals in large quantities and freeze the leftovers in portioned bags. This approach saves time and effort in the long run, as you won’t need to cook fresh every night.
Incorporate Vegetables Creatively For children who refuse veggies, try blending them into sauces or soups. This "hidden veggies" tactic can significantly improve their diet without them even knowing.
Make Use of Canned Goods Canned foods like beans, corn, and fish are quick and nutritious additions to meals. Opt for higher-quality brands to avoid issues like BPA exposure, but these staples can be life-savers on busy nights.
Diversify Your Pasta Selection Rotate between different types of pasta such as whole-wheat, lentil, chickpea, and buckwheat to keep meals interesting and nutritious. Enhance dishes further with sauces that include stealthily mixed-in vegetables.
Invest in a Pressure Cooker For meat dishes, a pressure cooker can halve cooking time and still deliver tender, flavorful results. This is particularly handy for quick meals.
Plan Your Shopping A well-planned grocery list prevents the panic of finding an empty fridge at mealtime. Stock up on essentials to last through the week and avoid last-minute shopping stress.
Relax About Presentation Don’t worry if the meals aren’t perfectly plated. The priority is making them edible and enjoyable, not ready for a photo shoot.
Simplify Recipes Choose easy recipes to build confidence in your cooking. Books like The Power of Yum offer simple, tasty meal plans that don’t require gourmet skills. Kietzee founder Lisa also likes the mealy app, which is currently available for iPhone users and features quick but healthy meals perfect for busy families.
Involve the Family Make meal preparation a family affair. Having your kids assist in safe tasks can make cooking fun and less hectic. Plus, the meals might actually taste better to your kids when they participate!
Use a Meal Plan Template Download and fill out a meal plan template weekly. While you don’t have to follow it rigidly, having a plan can alleviate the stress of deciding what to cook each night.
It's Okay to Order Takeout Sometimes, the best option might be ordering in. It’s quick, stress-free, and ensures everyone is fed without any fuss.
Personal Tip for Parents You may also like to sometimes have your main meal after the kids have gone to bed. This allows you to enjoy your food without interruptions like getting up to tend to the kids. You can share a small portion with them to maintain the family mealtime experience.
Remember, the goal is to reduce stress, not add to it by striving for perfection in every meal aspect. These tips can make dinner preparations more manageable and enjoyable.
Thanks, Annie!
Learn more about Annie and her offering.
