I once loved cooking, but a shift happened when I found myself unmarried with a toddler. Suddenly the bigger priority came to ensure my toddler was well-fed while I was balancing a lot on my own. Then, cooking turned into something I loathed.

Over the past year, I’ve learned some new tools and methods to help manage this shift, while finding some significant overlap with ensuring my toddler has options she likes.

I base each meal for myself the same way I do for my daughter: a protein source, a fruit and/or a veggie, and a carb/starch. And convenience items have been my ultimate go-to, while having a few condiments or seasonings to liven things up for myself.

CONVENIENCE PROTEINS CAN BE A LIFESAVER. 

Canned chicken, ready-to-eat meats (pulled pork/chicken), rotisserie chicken (Costco even has ribs or chicken drumsticks in the same area on occasion), frozen breaded chicken, chicken nuggets, canned tuna/salmon can be a HUGE HELPER. Often, the cost is a bit more, but the extra convenience fee can be a substantial help. 

FROZEN OR CANNED FRUITS OR VEGETABLES ARE FANTASTIC OPTIONS.

There was a time when I could get through fresh fruits and vegetables in a timely fashion. But that seemed to pass quickly, causing an entire garbage bag of dated produce, and a big hole in my wallet. I soon switched to canned and frozen options, which tend to be less expensive than many fresh options, with a much longer shelf life. Add the convenience of bagged vegetables that I could cook in the steam bag (including some of those delicious options that have added sauces or cheese), while throwing on some seasonings *chef’s kiss.* If I’m feeling extra fancy and have a little spare time, I’ll sometimes throw the bag into the air fryer for a nice crunch.

DON’T HESITATE TO USE FROZEN OR SHELF-STABLE CARB SOURCES.

If you looked in my pantry right now, you’d find instant rice, instant mashed potatoes, single-serving cups of mac and cheese, black bean or lentil pasta, and canned beans. Moreover, I have multiple different frozen potato options in my freezer: cubed potatoes with veggies, hashbrowns, tater tots, french fries, and sweet potato fries. All viable options that you can easily throw in the microwave, oven, or air fryer in a pinch. Again, add a bit of seasoning, and you’re good to go.

If you’re noticing common themes here, recognize that many of these items have longer shelf-lives, meaning you can more easily keep them on hand and make them more accessible. I regularly have these options on hand when I’m in a pinch and have a grab and go, especially if I’m running from a meeting with a legal client, to then try to get a quick pump at the gym, or to venture with my daughter to Starbucks for a cake pop.

KEEP IT SIMPLE THEN ADD FLAVOR.

Just because we don’t like cooking doesn’t mean that the foods we eat need to be bland or boring. We can utilize these convenience foods to cut down on time in the kitchen, then ensure our meals are tasty and enjoyable through seasonings, toppings, and sauces. Having a few easy go-to seasonings on hand (I’m a big fan of the Trader Joe’s and Costco seasonings) and having your fridge stocked with different sauces or toppings (coconut aminos, hot sauce, BBQ sauce, Bolthouse dressings and marinades, etc.) can allow for infinite flavor combinations and ensuring that you’re not eating boring food just because your prep time is short.

All of the options above remain pretty feasible, even if you’re a seasoned meal prepper, even if you’re navigating an especially busy week. You can easily keep them all on hand for when seasons seem a bit more challenging and you may not have as much time to commit to meal prepping as you had in the past. Those times are bound to happen. But by setting yourself up for success with items that are in alignment with your goals, you’ll be far more likely to execute on the plan you and your coach have.

Meal prep can be a challenge, but it certainly doesn’t have to take hours, nor does it have to suck. Rather, work with the options that best fit your life, as opposed to forcing yourself to enjoy cooking or to create time that isn’t readily available.

For absolute simplicity when it comes to tracking your macros, make sure to grab a free copy of Everyday Macros: our macro-friendly meal prep cookbook. It’s full of simple recipes, batch prep tips, and insight into how to make your nutrition as seamless as possible.