What Health Bloggers Make For Dinner When They Have No Time To Cook Slideshow
We've heard the excuse time and time again: I can't eat healthy because I just don't have the time. This excuse is totally misguided. Just think of all the healthy people out there — some of them are crazy busy. And yet...
Health bloggers are no exception to the time crunch. In fact, many of them juggle a full time job, a fitness regimen, making time for self-care, and their blog. Somehow, they still find time to eat healthy.
Surely, they must have those nights just like you do, where all you feel like you have time for is ordering a pizza — you get home, flop yourself down on the couch, and the last thing in the world you want to do is cook.
You don't have to order the pizza. Every now and then, of course, even health bloggers and fitness enthusiasts order pizzas. But when you really wish you could eat something a little healthier but feel like you don't have the time, there are other options.
To find out what these options are, we asked the experts. Health bloggers are expert at making healthy food taste and look amazing — and these are the meals they make when the last thing they have the patience or time for is cooking.
Burrito Bowls
Grains are usually pretty quick to cook, especially quinoa. Christina Chu, aka @foodietunes on Instagram, cooks some quinoa in chicken broth and throws on a ton of zesty toppings.
In this version, she added a bunch of black beans and a veggie burger for protein. Then, she piled on vegetables like peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes, bumped up the flavor with jalapeño, garlic, and onion, and drizzled a mix of olive oil, cumin, and lime on top. It takes less than 30 minutes, and it tastes like a fiesta.
Crackers, Hummus, and Vegetables
Marybeth Lawrence, the blogger behind mb with a side of pb, created this loaded bowl in just minutes flat. No cooking was required — just throw spinach, roasted vegetables (that she already cooked during her meal prep, of course), crackers, and hummus in a bowl. She added sauerkraut for an extra boost to her digestion and a kick of flavor.
Mac and ‘Cheese’
A quick and classic meal, pasta often gets misconstrued as an "unhealthy" food. However, it can be a totally healthy and satisfying option on those nights when you just can't motivate yourself to get crafty in the kitchen. But you don't have to get Kraft-y (and go ham on Kraft mac and cheese).
"My version packs over 15 grams of protein per serving," Amy Clark, the brain behind the health food blog Pickles and Planks, explains. She uses gluten-free chickpea pasta, tomato sauce without any added sugar, and nutritional yeast for an extra nutritious and cheesy flavor.
One-Skillet Meal
This meal may look like it took over an hour to put together, but it actually takes less than thirty minutes. Sarah Hicks, @herbowlofbliss on Instagram, let us in on her simple cooking secret. The key is to have a cast-iron skillet on hand. Just sauté some vegetables (she used zucchini, yellow squash, red bell peppers, and spinach), crack two eggs over the cooked greens and pop the skillet in the oven until the eggs are cooked to your liking.
Open-Faced Sandwich
Sandwiches are so simple, and when you make it open-faced you have more room to get creative. Kristina Coughlin, the blogger behind @cookingwithkristina, shared her go-to: arugula, tuna, and chipotle mayo.
Overnight Oats
This particular blogger, Shannon Mahoney of @fitstrongshann, is all about breakfast food for all meals of the day. Overnight oats are easy to prep ahead of time, so whenever you find yourself in a breakfast or dinner rut you can just reach in the fridge and grab a jar! At the start of the week, make four or five all at once. You'll thank yourself later.
Not sure where to start? Try one of these irresistible overnight oats recipes.
Pancakes
Pancakes for dinner is maybe the best invention of the modern world — and when it comes together in five minutes or less, it gets even better.
"When you have a little more time, but still want something quick, breakfast for dinner is the way to go," says Jessica Milligan of the health blog Devoted Existence. "Grab a simple and easy pancake mix and whip up some flapjacks while you're cooking your bacon and egg." If you're not sure where to start with pancakes, try this quick and healthy recipe.
As you can see, Jessica brings more than just pancakes to the table. "Adding a savory side to your plate makes this meal more satisfying than just pancakes," she advises.
Pasta With Veggies
Pasta is such a simple go-to meal, and it gets even better when you douse it in store-bought red sauce. Use a few of these hacks to make it taste homemade, and you're good to go.
Blogger Christina Chu, @foodietunes on Instagram, adds "ground turkey and whatever vegetables I can find in my fridge."
If you hate raw veggies, just sauté some in olive oil and spices before adding. Yum!
Pita Pizza
This one is a classic hack to making the most of store-bought pitas. Just brush one with olive oil, add on whatever toppings you like, and bake it in the oven until it gets nice and crispy. Kristina Coughlin of @cookingwithkristina used a gluten free pita and topped hers with pesto, tomatoes, and some spices to keep it gluten and dairy free.
Savory Sweet Potato Veggie Bowl
The microwaved sweet potato is a total life saver. Just pop it in the microwave for a few minutes and add a few spices. If you're anything like health blogger Sarah Swainson, @simplysarahswainson on Instagram, you'll throw veggies in the bowl and toss it with some olive oil before eating — five minutes of easy prep and you'll be all set!
Seared White Fish and Potato
Who knew you could make a seafood dinner that looks this good in under ten minutes? Jessica Milligan, health blogger from Devoted Existence, explains.
"Just steam a sweet potato in the microwave (wrap it in wax paper and cook for about 4 to 6 minutes) while you sear your choice of fish and sauté your asparagus in a skillet," she told us. No leftovers, no mess, and no time wasted. We love it!
Shrimp Alfredo
Yes, you can eat healthy fettucine Alfredo. How? Fer Battle, the blogger behind @thehealthylibrary, explains. "I made myself half whole wheat pasta, half zucchini noodles. I spiralize the zoodles in less than three minutes."
If you don't have a spiralizer, many stores sell pre-spiralized veggies like carrots and zucchini. Add some pre-cooked shrimp and whip up Fer's simple sauce: "Just mash a third of an avocado, two tablespoons of Greek yogurt, the juice of one lime, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper."
Smoothie
Just like any other breakfast food, smoothies are perfectly acceptable to eat for dinner. Blogger Shannon Mahoney raves about them: "All you have to do is throw all your favorites in a blender with your protein powder and liquid of choice," she says. "Put it in your favorite to-go cup and top it with some granola, fruit, or whatever you'd like!"
In less than five minutes, you'll have a sweet treat that doubles as a healthy meal.
Snacks
"When I literally have zero time to cook anything, I always grab a banana and a protein bar — the perfect balance of carbs, fat, and protein," explains Shannon Mahoney, @fitstrongshann on Instagram. Making a combination of healthy snacks can work together to create a complete meal if you're really in a pinch.
Sweet Potato With Nut Butter
Sarah Swainson of @simplysarahswainson also microwaves her sweet potatoes for maximum efficiency. Once it's cooked through, just top it with nut butter to add healthy fats and dig in!
Taco Bowl
Chips and guacamole can totally be part of a healthy dinner. Jessica Milligan, writer of the health blog Devoted Existence, explains how she makes this pretty (and spicy) bowl.
"I chop my bell peppers and cook some ground meat ahead of time," she says. For help with meal prep, you can read our quick guide.
"When it's time to eat, I just throw the veggies in a skillet for a couple minutes, add the meat, and then assemble my bowl with chips, salsa, etc." Looks great to us!
Toast
It's not just for breakfast anymore. Bloggers everywhere are making impressive toast variations left and right, blowing up the hashtag #toasttuesday week after week.
Don't get discouraged if yours don't look this ready for the spotlight. All that matters is that you slather it with protein and healthy fats to keep you going. You can top your toast with an egg and avocado, fruit and nut butter, or really anything else that tickles your fancy.
Veggie Bowl
Sarah Swainson, @simplysarahswainson on Instagram, swears by these — she just takes some vegetables she had already roasted and stored in her fridge, adds some cheese and toppings, and calls it a day. This version has spinach, feta, and avocado.
Wraps
"I've been loving tacos and wraps since they're so easy to put together," says Blair Griffiths, of eat clean with b. "My favorite combination lately has been smoked salmon, avocado, hummus, and some grilled veggies."
Why does she love wraps? "They're so quick and versatile, and perfect for when you want something nutritious and fresh but don't want to spend the entire night in the kitchen!"
Yogurt Bowl
"My go-to right now is a simple yogurt bowl," says Amy Clark, @picklesandplanks on Instagram. "I use Icelandic skyr as my base (high in protein, low in sugar). The toppings are usually chopped fruit (berries, apples, pears, etc.) and granola/bar. Mix everything together and you have a healthy, uncomplicated breakfast that keeps you fuller longer!"
For 21 healthy ways to eat dessert for breakfast, click here.