The sheer number of restaurants, takeout places, and fast food joints are a testament to the fact that we love eating out. Whether it’s fine dining or having a pizza delivered, food prepared by other people offers a variety and convenience that many of us can’t imagine living without. Due to the current lockdown situation, however, many are forced to do just that and while a number of takeout places are still open, most meals will have to be prepared at home.
This can easily lead to boredom with repetitive food choices or frustration with having to constantly prepare food. To cope with the new food situation, consider the following tips:
Make a meal chart: While you might find it monotonous to eat the same meals consistently, you will have to make a deliberate effort to change that. One of the most practical ways to do this is by creating a meal chart. At the beginning of each week, you (along with anyone else you are distancing with) should create a menu for the week details the foods you wish to eat. This will give you an opportunity to plan out a variety of meals and could give you some fresh cooking inspiration.
Food prep and cook in bulk: Sometimes, the source of frustration is not the meal itself but in the effort needed to prepare the food. This is why eating out and fast food is so convenient for us as they take this task off our hands. While in lockdown, make sure to food prep and cook in bulk. Food prep involves preparing vegetables, cutting meat, pre-spicing and so on. These take up a significant portion of the cooking time and by doing these in bulk ahead of time, a lot of effort is saved. When you do cook, try to cook in bulk and divide the food into portions ahead of time. This way, all you will need to do when you are hungry is pop the food into the microwave.
Try new recipes: If you like eating a variety of different foods, now could be a good time to expand on your palette. There are countless tutorials online that can show you how to make a variety of meals and you can even turn this into a fun family activity!
While you might be in lockdown, your tastebuds do not have to be as well. Follow our helpful guide to keeping your diet interesting and stress-free
