Jennifer Meadows

DRNT News:

If you’re anything like me, your week can quickly become more packed than you anticipated at the onset of Monday morning.

When time is sparse and demands are high, it can be tempting to grab a bag of chips or run through a drive-through when you’re hungry instead of taking the time to make something.  

Having prepared proteins on hand can be a huge help for busy weeks! Here are a few things that I do (for my family of three) at the beginning of each week to make sure there are good options ready in the fridge for those moments when time is tight.

• Boil 1 dozen eggs
• Cook a whole chicken (In an Instant Pot, place the chicken breast side down on the trivet, season with salt and pepper, and add 1 cup water to the pot. Cook on the high pressure setting for 1 hour and let the pressure release naturally.  You’ll have fall-off-the-bone chicken and some extra bone broth in the bottom you can strain and use when cooking rice or steaming vegetables. You can also do this in an oven.)
• Grill 2 lbs. hamburger patties
• Sometimes I’ll also cook 1 packet of bacon.

Here’s how I use these:

• The bacon and eggs are great for breakfast or snacks.
• The hamburger patties make a good snack and can be made into a patty melt or crumbled onto a salad.
• The chicken can be used to make a chicken salad or casserole, or can be added to a salad or sandwich.
• Set aside the eggs, chicken, and bacon to make a large Cobb salad on an evening when you don’t feel like doing a lot of prep work in the kitchen.

When you’re hungry, proteins are a better choice than carbs because they are more filling than carbohydrates and don’t cause blood sugar spikes. Keeping fresh, healthy prepared proteins on hand that don’t require much (or any) work, can be a big help for those moments when you’re pressed for time.

The information presented in this article should not be used to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or condition. It is intended for educational purposes only.

Jennifer Meadows helps people feel their best through targeted nutritional therapy at Deeply Rooted Nutritional Therapy. She uses testing alongside consults to identify imbalances and deficiencies, develops customized plans, and provides ongoing support to help clients reach their health goals. Visit her website to learn more.