Have you often found yourself resorting to takeaway during the week when you’re either pressed for time or there’s no food in the house?
As busy professionals, we often find ourselves reaching for the quickest meal options to save time. Takeaway food can be convenient, but it’s important to approach it in a way that aligns with our nutrition goals.
Having a takeaway meal every now and then is great to give yourself a break from cooking and enjoy your favourite cuisine, but when it’s used as the default option it usually ends up less enjoyable. These foods are also more energy dense and nutrient poor, meaning if you have them frequently they won’t leave you feeling as good. Not to mention it can get expensive.
Here’s how you can effectively plan these meals during the week in a way that leaves you feeling good and on track with achieving your health goals.
1. Set A Clear Intention –
- Do you want to just enjoy the food and the social aspect and not stress about anything?
- Do you want to feel physically your best and make a bit more of a health conscious choice?
- Do you want to sit somewhere in the middle, where you pick something super satisfying and stay mindful of your fullness cues?
All options are valid and will leave you feeling good.
2. Plan ahead – Decide in advance when you’ll enjoy takeaway meals. By scheduling them, you’re more likely to savour them as a treat rather than a rushed decision.
It can help to choose the day you’re more likely to want takeaway, such as the busiest day of the week or at the end of the week when you have less energy. If it’s planned into your week, you’re more likely to enjoy it rather than it being a rushed choice.
3. Cook when you can – It can help to set aside time at the start of the week to plan out your meals and do the food shopping. Being organised will make you less likely to resort to takeaway because there’s no food in the house.
If you have a busy week ahead, include meals that are quick and easy, or you can batch cook meals to freeze and reheat to reduce cooking time during the week.
4. Listen to your body – Pay attention to your hunger and fullness cues. Enjoy your takeaway meal, but stop when you’re satisfied. This helps prevent overeating and keeps you in control.
5. Balance your day – If you know you’ll have takeaway for dinner, make sure your other meals are packed with nutrients. This way, you’re maintaining a balanced diet even with the occasional indulgence.
Remember, one takeaway meal won’t ruin your progress. It’s about the overall pattern of your eating habits. When you decide to have takeaway, let it be a mindful choice rather than a default reaction to a busy schedule.
By empowering yourself to make deliberate choices about takeaway food, you’re taking control of your nutrition and making it work for you. Let’s embrace the flexibility and convenience of takeaway meals as part of a balanced and enjoyable eating plan.
