Focusing on your health and well-being takes time, effort and planning.
No one knows this better than our team at Medical Weight Loss Clinic. We work hard to make the whole process easier for our patients.
Our programs are based on real, home-cooked foods. That means grocery shopping, menu planning and food prep become important elements for patients working to lose extra weight and achieve their healthy goals.
Yet, every now and then, it’s possible for any of us to fall victim to cooking fatigue.
“Cooking fatigue is such a real thing,” said Kami LaPerna, clinic manager in Novi. “Life is busy. It’s easy to get burned out.”
Who among us hasn’t grimaced at the question “what should we have for dinner?”
You too can beat Cooking Fatigue with these tips from Medical Weight Loss Clinic.
Whether our patients enjoy cooking or not, Kami says, some days are more challenging than others to make those healthy meals. When we’re stressed or overscheduled, it becomes a lot more tempting to cheat or head to a fast food restaurant, rather than cook and eat a healthy meal.
Kami talks to patients every day to share ways they can stay on their programs instead.
She has plenty of tips to help avoid cooking fatigue:
· Set Yourself Up for Success – Plan to grocery shop and prepare foods one to two times a week. This means batch cooking proteins like chicken breast, cleaning and chopping vegetables and fruits, then store them in individual containers in the refrigerator. That way ingredients are easy to grab, mix and match for meals throughout the week. Be sure to move frozen protein to the refrigerator to defrost it for the next day, too.
· Make a Menu – Choose easy, healthy meals you can repeat or re-invent every week. Find themes or food styles you can return to and it’s possible to avoid the decision fatigue that can come with cooking on a daily basis.
“I am a mom of 3 and losing weight myself,” Kami says. “We have a Taco Night once a week.”
· Go Easy on Yourself – Try a grocery delivery or online order and pick-up option to keep your kitchen well-stocked. For extra busy days, have a go-to simple meal in mind with ingredients you keep handy – like a pouch of tuna.
“And talk kindly to yourself,” Kami says.
· Share Chef Duties - Kami also suggests getting your family on board to help. Give everyone a different day and rotate who’s responsible for dinner. Batch cook and trade portions with a friend.
“Taking care of yourself is not selfish,” she says. “Don’t hesitate to ask for help.”
· Get Creative – Get out of your comfort zone and try new recipes. Our Medical Weight Loss Clinic website has so many ideas to offer. Experiment with nutritional supplements and incorporate new spices to add flavor.
“Don’t be afraid to jazz it up,” Kami says.
If cooking fatigue should strike, know you are not alone.
Our Medical Weight Loss Clinic professionals understand – and can help make it easier to make healthy moves. Sign up for a free consultation and learn more today at mwlc.com.
