I realized my weight gain directly correlated with when I lost interest in cooking.
It started during the height of the pandemic.
While everyone else was experimenting with sourdough and new recipes, I was working long hours, skipping meals, and grabbing whatever was quick.
Five years later, I’m still undoing those habits.
Luckily, my husband was hungry enough that he had no choice but to take over cooking duties.
But here’s the funny part, I used to think hiring a meal prep service was “cheating” when it came to health.
Looking back, that made no sense. Why did I expect myself to prep all my meals if it was only adding stress?
And if I’ve ever made you feel like you had to be perfect in the kitchen, I’m sorry.
Here’s what I’ve seen: women over 40 often get tired of cooking for themselves and their families.
When that happens, meal prep becomes a stressor and a chore.
And I’m convinced it may even be contributing to weight gain, because it’s so easy to skip meals, graze on junk, or (like me) eat copious amounts of nuts instead of sitting down to a balanced meal.
So why not simplify?
- Hire a meal prep service that fits your calorie needs.
- Create a list of restaurant meals that align with your nutrition goals.
- Keep healthy proteins and pre-cut veggies on hand for quick meals.
- Use a service like Butcher Box to stock your freezer with easy staples.
This isn’t cheating, it’s maximizing your time.
Think about it…how do celebrities stay slim? Personal chefs.
Registered dietitian Adam Ross and I just talked about this on my latest podcast, episode 572. (Click HERE to listen in.)
Adam has helped hundreds of clients simplify their nutrition with meal services and strategic restaurant dining and it works.
The secret?
Simplifying healthy habits.
So where could you simplify your nutrition to save time, reduce stress, and make healthy eating easier?
If you’re skipping meals, snacking more than eating, or hitting the drive-thru too often, it’s time to rethink your strategy.
You’re not lazy. You’re not cheating. You’re creating space for more of the life you actually want to live.
Here’s to less time in the kitchen,
Dr. J
P.S. Not sure what your caloric and macro needs are? Check out MyCalorieCalc.com or use Cronometer for short-term tracking. If you’d rather skip the DIY approach, Adam Ross is a fantastic resource for customized support.
