USING PACKAGED/CONVENIENCE FOODS I get it, we’re busy. We all live hectic lives…

USING PACKAGED/CONVENIENCE FOODS ✨ I get it, we’re busy. We all live hectic lives, and a question I get a lot from clients and on Instagram is about the role of premade, ‘convenience’ foods should play in our lives. A lot of people call these processed foods, giving them a bad rep, but I find that term misleading because so many foods can be termed ‘processed’- canned beans, rolled oats, pasta and tofu are all ‘processed’ foods and really nutritious! ?.
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It’s no secret that I try to encourage clients to rely on homemade, ‘whole’ foods as often as possible- these are typically cheaper, higher in fibre, and lower in salt and added sugar than their counterparts ✨ But don’t get me wrong, I usually have some packaged foods like bars, hummus, soups, tomato sauces on hand for the convenience factor. Making a quick pasta with a veggie-filled tomato sauce feels a lot less daunting when I know I don’t have to go through the trouble of cutting tomatoes, simmering them for 30 minutes, and seasoning them to make a homemade sauce ?? But when I’m relying on convenience foods, I often like to see how I can doctor it up to make it more filling, satisfying and nutritious ✨.
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This meal started with packaged ramen. I added frozen broccoli and mushrooms for some veggies and frozen edamame to up the protein ?? Whether you choose to doctor up packaged/convenience foods or eat them as is, know that they can definitely have a place in your weekly eating pattern! ✨