Finding It Hard To Eat Healthily During The School Year

[hapy4dolphins]

I am finding it difficult to eat healthy during the school year. I keep food in my classroom, but I want to keep increasing veggies and healthy meals for me at work and school and for my daugthers lunch. I'm home sick today and planning to read what you all have posted. Any idea would be helpful.

[moosemalibu]

Cook in massive batches on the weekend and then individually portion them for the week. I do that so it makes grab n go very easy. I don't have to fall of track on my diet and i have all that I need. I typically do a protein and veggie with maybe a starch (rice or potatoes). Then I hardboil eggs and make hummus and take a handful of nuts and a piece of fruit. 

[june27]

i often struggle with the "i don't feel like cooking" syndrome.  i actually enjoy cooking, but sometimes i am just want a night off.  i always try to make enough so i will have leftovers for lunch (for at least 1 day), and also try to make some recipes that are quick and easy.  if i have enough lunch leftovers for a few days, than i can make smaller meals some nights that don't need to have leftovers. 

 

here are a few thoughts

1.  crock-pot cooking allows you to make larger batches with little effort.  you can even do them during the week if you can get it put on before you leave the house in the morning.  there are some easy things to do, that are great in the winter - stews, pot roast.  and some that are less 'comfort foods' like pulled pork (throw in some pork butt with either BBQ sauce, or if you want some different flavors i have done it with lots of ground ginger and apple sauce), or mexican type chicken (chicken breast with salsa - i haven't tried this one yet, but it sounds great)

2.  baked chicken or pork chops (either marinated in italian dressing, or with some gluten-free bread crumbs).  goes great with pasta (think chicken parm) or your favorite grains/potatoes

3.  gluten-free pasta with meat sauce (you could even do a double batch).  i often throw in some veggies to make it more healthy

4.  baked squash or sweet potato fries (cut into large fries, toss in olive oil, sprinkle with salt, maybe some cayenne pepper).  pair it up with whatever you want for protein (burgers, etc) and another vegie

5.  taco bake - take your normal taco fillings (ground beef, onions, tomatoes, peppers, salsa) - mix with rice and bake.  if you can have cheese, it is a nice addition as well. you can make a big casserole of this.

6.  there are a lot of stuffed squash recipes out there that are good this time of year as well.  here is one that i like:  Open Original Shared Link  but i improvise as well.  i made one recently with delicata squash with ground beef, rice, onions, pine nuts, peppers, tomatoes, and taco seasoning.  i got several meals out of this, and it made great leftovers for work.

 

good luck!

[jrohr]

Cook in massive batches on the weekend and then individually portion them for the week. I do that so it makes grab n go very easy. I don't have to fall of track on my diet and i have all that I need. I typically do a protein and veggie with maybe a starch (rice or potatoes). Then I hardboil eggs and make hummus and take a handful of nuts and a piece of fruit. 

I second this. Big batches to use during the week. Eggs, nuts and fruit are also staples, quick and easy, portable. For variety we have a few fall back meals for busy nights - Gluten-free Hamburger Helper-like meals, spaghetti, Gluten-free pizza (who'd have guessed at dx that there are som many Gluten-free pizza options?) and fruit and veggie night with meat, cheese and crackers for when we are really feeling like we don't have much time.