Plan to be Lazy

Do you ever get home for the evening and feel too tired to cook? Ever forget to plan ahead and have to come up with a meal at the last minute? Of course you do! Domino’s pizza and McDonalds count on it.

These situations won’t ruin your diet if you keep some of these healthy, easy, “emergency” foods in your house at all times:

KEEP THESE IN THE FREEZER
Frozen veggies (to stir-fry or add to canned soups)
Skillet Sensations or other similar frozen stir-fry
Frozen chicken breasts, turkey, or fish filets
Veggie burgers
Egg Beaters (to make omelets with veggies)
Frozen ostrich burgers (as tasty as beef, but much healthier)
Frozen fruit (to add to yogurt, oatmeal)
Healthy frozen ravioli (e.g. Whole Foods has some filled with veggies or chicken instead of cheese and you can add more of your own frozen veggies to the sauce)

NON-PERISHABLES FOR THE CUPBOARD
Water-packed tuna or salmon
Rolled oats
Fantastic Foods Chili Mix + canned beans + canned tomatoes
Low-fat, Low-sodium raman noodles (add extra water and your own frozen veggies)
Low-sodium broth-based soups (Health Valley and Pritikin are two good choices)
Low-sodium broth (throw in your own protein and veggies)
Popcorn kernels (for air-popping)

TRY TO ALWAYS KEEP THESE IN YOUR FRIDGE
Non-fat cottage cheese
Non-fat yogurt
Bagged lettuce
Baby carrots or sugar snap peas
Low-fat string cheese
Hard-boiled eggs

Having a stash of health “Emergency Foods” makes all the difference when you are busy or tired, so keep this list handy. Print it out and take it with you grocery shopping.