How To Cook Healthy Meals When You Have No Time

[Nephtys80]

Does anyone know whether pre-cooked grains and rice, the kind that only need to be cooked for about 10 minutes, are a lot less nutritious than the non-pre-cooked kind? I usually have a packet of pre-cooked barley or similar lying around for when I'm in a hurry, assuming it will still contribute to a relatively healthy meal with some fresh veggies etc. - but is it really healthy, or are a lot of nutrients lost in the process?

[healthyvegan]

@Nephtys80 there will be nutrients lost since it was cooked and then dehydrated in some way. BUT, the main benefits of grains are the complex carbs (for energy), fiber and protein, which should be fine. You'll get a lot more vitamins and minerals than the ones lost by pairing it with fresh veggies. AND, if using pre-cooked grains means that you eat a healthy whole food meal rather than something processed, that's awesome :)

[Nephtys80]

@healthyvegan Thanks for taking the time to answer Heather, and thank you for everything you do - when you first started doing nutrition vids I complained in comments saying I was here for the recipes and that I knew all I needed to about nutrition - how wrong I was :D you have since become my nutrition guru :D

[healthyvegan]

@Nephtys80 aw, thanks! nice to hear you enjoy both types of videos now :)

[Beanz572]

love your vids! okay, lets say i prepare a lentil dish and i want to take a portion of the leftovers to work with me where i dont have the luxury of a stove top to heat the meal up and i dont want to use the microwaves (not fond at all of microwave cooking), is there another method you know of or such things as "radiation safe" cookware for the microwavei could use to warm it up? however, i have used the toaster oven for foods other than soups/stews. raw foods here i come!!!! lol

[healthyvegan]

@Beanz572 yeah, I love using toaster ovens for heating leftovers. otherwise, I just plan on eating things cold. I love cold leftovers for some reason :)

[FullCircleMystic]

Within my spirituality I end up fasting(eating vegan) for six months during the year. It is broken up a few weeks at a time. I cook vegan for our whole family at that time, but I really want to stop eating animal products altogether. I will end up cooking meat for my husband and children, but want to cook ahead so I have vegan options for myself. Great Lent is coming soon and I intend to launch into a permanent vegan diet using it as a springboard of sorts lol. Thanks for your channel it helps.

[annagirl17]

Hi Heather-

Thank you so much for all of your videos, they have changed my life! I'm 21 and grew up in a very unhealthy household. Once I was out on my own I realized I didn't know the first thing about healthy living. Your recipes have helped me so, so much. One thing I am curious about though is...water. I drink mostly tap water, but I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the fluoride/chlorine issue. Is there a water filter or purification system that you recommend?

[healthyvegan]

@annagirl17 thanks for the note, I'm so glad I can help :) I do have a video about water filters - just do a search on my channel or website for 'water filter' and it should come up :)

[mslinkinthebottombar]

@healthyvegan is a grilled sandwich any better for you than a regular ungrilled sandwich?

[draco3113]

i find planning my meals to be a huge peace of mind and take away half the battle over meals so i dont have that constant 'urgh what should i do for dinner tonight'

[werewasyo]

1. ice cube trays are your friend: ginger garlic paste, bouillion cubes,

2. canned tomatoe paste can be put in some plastic wrap and frozen. dont need to thaw to cut chunks off whenever you need

3. for pesticides, soak veggies beforehand. get a large piece of the green srubby sheet to srub your fruits/veggies. its that green layer on a yellow sponge

[PopTVTeacher]

For soups and the occasional frozen meal, Amy's brand is great! They make MANY dishes friendly to those on alternative diets, all organic!

[DreamOfScotland]

you need to publish a book, heather! you really inspire me to keep up healthy eating!! :) i just got the first of my 7 e-mail lessons :) can't wait!! :)

[healthyvegan]

@DreamOfScotland aw thanks, I'm so glad you're enjoying the videos & info :)

[Aphex1son]

wow ur hot

[psychobitches2686]

Could you do a video, or could someone on here give a good place to read about calorie intake and how low is too low for caloric intake?

[natyanayaki]

@psychobitches2686 I think that depends largely on the individual, the individual's weight/BMI and metabolism.

[healthyvegan]

@psychobitches2686 I have a calculator on my site where you can figure out how many calories you should be eating in a day based on your age, height, weight, activity level and gender. Check it out at healthy eating starts here dot com /calorie-calculator

[psychobitches2686]

@healthyvegan thanks for the help!! I may need to sign up to get some 1 on 1 with you. I used the calculator and since I've been eating vegetarian I am not taking in even close to what the calculator said I should be. I'm eating enough food, not starving myself at all, but I am afraid that my body will go into starvation mode if I'm not eating enough calories.

[writingqueen93]

Great tips.

[InvisiMan2006]

A rice cooker, canned beans and frozen veggies will get you making quick, healthy meals in a snap :)

[natyanayaki]

@InvisiMan2006 Or, instead of canned beans (which might not be safe) get a pressure cooker.

[InvisiMan2006]

@natyanayaki A pressure cooker only works well when you have time (i.e. Large legumes take a while to cook) and pressure cooking is one of the most destructive forms of cooking - it results in high nutrient loss unfortunately.

[natyanayaki]

@InvisiMan2006 Nutrient loss, how? It doesn't take that much time though, place it on the stove, take a quick-ish shower and get dressed for work.

[natyanayaki]

@InvisiMan2006 I'd still take that, over beans coated in BPA, mercury and other chemicals though.

[savgal1211]

Heck, MY Husband STILL eats meat. I just cooked him chicken breasts sauteed with herbs de Provence and fresh rosemary and lemon, then I broiled this. Will be 3 meals for him. I am eating a RAW Burger and RAW mayo I made, we are truly learning to cook ahead, with 2 different eating styles! I lOVE my Blendtec and my dehydrator!!

[healthyvegan]

@savgal1211 wow, good for you to stay motivated to cook healthy food for yourself and meat for your husband!

[crystaldragonix]

I like to keep a list of restaurants with meals that have healthy low cal options. I go there for my last resort if I didn't cook enough for the week or I'm super busy.