Apart from choosing the right foods to maintain good health, preparation can also directly influence the absorption of nutrients and flavor. With a bit of planning, creativity, and organization, you can prepare healthy and balanced meals without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Here are some tips that may help you:

1) Invest in a Soup Blender

Very simple and practical, soups are ideal for those who are always in a hurry but still want to make an effort to eat healthily. Moreover, you can vary the flavors. You can prepare a vegetable soup using carrots, yam, potato, or cassava in boiling water. Afterward, add blended spices of your choice and a bit of salt. Try different food combinations to vary the menu.

2) Wash Green Leaves After Shopping

As soon as you arrive from the supermarket, wash the green leaves like arugula and lettuce with water and then dry them with a dry cloth. Then, store them in a tightly closed container. This will prevent the food from spoiling faster and saves time when preparing the salad. Open the jars and season to add taste.

3) Freeze Ripe Fruits

Freezing ripe fruit is an alternative to avoid wasting food and makes it easier to prepare juices. For smoothies, cut your favorite fruits into pieces and freeze them in the appropriate amount. When preparing, add water or milk and put it into the blender.

4) Reuse the Cooking Water

Do not overlook the cooking water of food, such as vegetables, as it contains various nutrients and flavors. It can be added in the preparation of stews, soups, or even rice and beans preparation.

5) Innovate in Salads

Not only oil and salt can be used to season a salad. Among the ingredients indicated to give an extra touch to salads, we have spices, herbs, yogurt, vinegar, onions, and garlic. You can also add flavor using olive oil, which also helps reduce the salt content. Garlic, rosemary, basil, bay leaves, chives, oregano, mint, and marjoram can also be used. 

6) Enjoy Leftover Food

To avoid wasting food and save time, reusing leftover food can be a good option. You can also have a variety of recipes. For instance, leftover beans can turn into a tutu or soup, rice into a dumpling, meat, and chicken into pie fillings.

7) Prepare and Freeze Meals During the Weekend

The organization and weekly planning of meals help those who do not have time to cook every day while still ensuring a balanced meal based on their personal preferences. Prepare healthy meals during weekends and freeze them. This is an easy and simple way to maintain your health for those lazy days, especially when you feel exhausted from work.

8) Have Healthy Snacks at Hand

At a particular time, most of us crave some snacks, especially in the afternoon. However, the problem is that we often go for unhealthy snacks. Some healthy snacks you can have include corn, cheese bread, popcorn, vegetable sticks, fruit salad, homemade cookies, homemade bread and cakes, yogurt, smoothies, etc. Besides, these healthy snack varieties can also be offered to kids and help them avoid the attacks on sweets and cakes!

9) Be Careful With the Use of Microwaves

The microwave should not be used often to heat food. This form of heating increases free radicals in food, which will accelerate the aging of body cells. Try to keep the use of the microwave for lazy days or when you’re in a rush only. Use covered glass containers when heating your food. Besides, if you add some water and close the container, the retention of nutrients is almost complete.

Let us know if these few tips have helped you in the comments below!