Written by accredited dietitian Themis Chryssidis
From Sprout Cooking School & Health Studio
We often talk about the significance of freezing home-cooked meals and planning ahead for various situations: cooking for one, preparing for the arrival of a child, recovering from surgery, and accommodating those with busy schedules. Unexpected sickness can strike at any time, whether it's the flu, a cold, or another ailment that confines you at home. It's crucial during these periods to have meals readily available or at least ingredients prepared for quick and easy use during your time at home.
So, how can you steer clear from the meal delivery services and local takeaway joints?
It’s simple – be prepared and maybe a little thrifty…
5 meal tips to prepare for the unexpected:
- Freeze a few family favourites
If you’re sick and stuck inside, you may as well get some comfort from food… Lasagne, curries, casseroles, soups all freeze well. Being dishes that have more liquid and full of flavoursome spices and herbs, our feel-good favourites are perfect to help manage some sickness symptoms such as loss of taste or smell or a sore throat. - Prepare a few key elements
There are only so many meals you can freeze until you run out of freezer space!
So, prepare some key elements that will make your life a lot easier. Freeze a curry paste, pasta sauce, marinades and even make your own smoothie cubes (a great way to condense all the fruit and vegetables required to make a smoothie into one ice cube). Then all you need to do is add a grain, vegetables and protein (or milk in the case of the smoothies), and dinner or brekkie will be on the table in no time at all. - Vacuum sealed meat
Next time you purchase meat, ask your butcher to vacuum seal it for you. It will last a lot longer in the fridge and even longer in the freezer, without reducing quality. - Pantry and freezer staples
Make sure you always keep a few key items in your kitchen or pantry. Frozen and tinned vegetables, frozen fruits, stock, spices, pasta, rice, beans and maybe even some long-life milk.
Read more about how you can use your pantry staples for healthy family meals > - Use your pantry
No doubt there are corners of your pantry you haven’t seen in a very long time… Perhaps next time you’re looking for meal inspo, start in your pantry rather than your fridge! Consider how you can use what you have, think outside the square, base your meals around a pantry item rather than, as most Australian’s do, meat. Think Mexican beans, vegetarian curries using tinned tomatoes, lentils and spices or pasta bake and tuna mornay with tinned corn and tuna.
Following these tips can help you take advantage of the easy ways to be prepared for the unexpected and continue eating healthy and nutritious meals, with less stress.
Updated July 2024
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© Copyright Health Partners. 2024 All Rights Reserved.
Health Partners is committed to providing quality and affordable health care, and we value our members and our obligation to protect your privacy. As part of our responsibility in protecting your privacy, from time to time we review our policies to ensure we are meeting our obligations. We have recently made some updates to our Privacy Policy. Please click here to view the Health Partners Privacy Policy.