In Need Of Nutrition Help

jennie0918

Hello!

I go to a trainer and working out is mainly my strong point, but the kitchen is the hardest thing for me. Three years ago I did really well with eating clean and lost 60 lbs and I ate as close to perfect as you could possibly get. However, I really am struggling with my depression right now and I just have no desire to cook what so ever. I know that I want to lose weight so badly and I try and I can be really great for like a few days but then I get whatever is the quickest and that's always the worst. Or I do eat really well but my portions are out of control. Anyway, I was thinking of doing Jenny Craig and when I googled it Nutrisystem also came up. I was wondering if anyone has used either of these, or something else, and if they had a preference? If you've tried it is it something that is worth the money? I really need something to get me going and this idea feels good right now especially with my schedule and the holidays coming up I just want something I can just grab and go. Thank you for taking the time out to read this

kommodevaran

I think you are making eating way more complicated than it has to be. Do you need to lose weight again? Or just continue where you left off? Anyway, I suspect that making eating too complicated and restrictive is at least contributing to your lack of desire to cook, and possibly your depression, and not eating well can also contribute to depression. Depression tends to make everything seem too hard, including cooking. That's not good when you already have an idea of cooking as something difficult, and producing boring results to boot.

The idea that the food you prefer is bad, is also not helping you. That's not an effective way to eat better. It will only intensify your desire for it, and you will even overeat anything in order to try to get satisfaction, or think that as long as it's "healthy", it's okay. "Clean" eating is not really a thing, and there is no "perfect" way of eating. Getting in enough of everything you need every day, but not too much of anything over time, is your goal, and there's a billion ways to achieve that.

Have you considered simplyfying the task? Cook simple meals with foods and ingredients you can easily get, and prepare it in ways you actually like? This will be the cheapest solution, too.

jgnatca

If cooking is just too much right now you can stock up on ready meals and bag salad. Scan the bar codes in. It can’t get much easier.

Prepared foods will be a little higher in sodium but other than that they will feed you.

It might not hurt to get a bag of prepared chicken breasts as well, for a little extra protein, yogurt single serves and frozen fruit.

laur357

Frozen dinners were what I went with when I considered Nutrisystem. I didn't really need to use them daily, but weeks when I had full days of being out of the house for 14 hours at a time (extended work/long commute/fitting in the gym), they kept me on track. Cheaper than Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem, already portioned, and you can keep a lot on hand. Comes in a range of calories, types of cuisine, and some taste decent. Add some frozen veggies or toast or fruit or whatever you need to bulk up the meals and meet your nutritional needs.

A Stouffer's lasagna, an apple, and a substantial side of frozen green beans for about 500 calories. A Frontera pepper beef bowl has tons of fiber and protein for like 360 calories (and was surprisingly flavorful due to the peppers). French bread pizza and half of a salad kit, 550 calories. A low-cal frozen breakfast sandwich and a piece of fruit. A can of lentil soup with a side of Triscuits and shredded rotisserie chicken. Packets of oatmeal and frozen berries. The prepared foods you're getting delivered will likely be pretty similar, and some want you to bulk up the meals with fresh fruits/veggies anyway.

You could also try a different meal-kit delivery service if you want to learn to cook for yourself - Blue Apron or Hello Fresh - and have enough for 2 meals?
There's nothing inherently wrong or bad with using a diet-based food service, but they can get pricey and may not help you develop habits to sustain your weight loss over time. But if you want to focus on improving mental health, and a service gives you time and freedom to do that during a busy season, do what you gotta do!

RAinWA

I have been doing very simple, easy meals for the last month (I have a banged up shoulder & my husband can't cook).

Pre-made turkey or hamburger patties with a bag of steam in the bag veggies and rolls or baked potatoes or frozen dinners bulked up with extra veggies.

Cans of soup with extra veggies added work really well.

Canned turkey mixed with cranberry sauce and a little mayo makes a great turkey salad.

On the days you are up for it, cook stuff that can be frozen - soups, chili, etc.

There are frozen meals you can toss in the crock pot and just add your own meat.

Good luck!

Lounmoun

A simple sandwich is quick, portable and not unhealthy. Pair with a salad or fruit.
Other quick portable foods-
Frozen meals at any grocery store... many are around 300 calories, add some fruit of veggies if you like to bulk it out a bit
Cottage cheese
instant oatmeal
Yogurt
Cheese
Vegetables and hummus
Granola bar/protein bar
Milk
Nuts
Cereal
Bagged salad
Broth based canned soups

cmriverside

Both Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem have yuck food, in my opinion.

I have fifteen or twenty rotating meals I make at home in 30 minutes or less. They are delicious and they are prepared with fresh ingredients and to my taste. I don't even like restaurant food any more, unless it's something I can't make as well at home, like fish and chips.

deannalfisher

i really liked homechef when i tried it - but many of the recipes were rather complicated and i didn't have the energy for that most nights (gouge i've gotten from friends who do Blue Apron is similar)...

have you thought about crockpot meals or something like that - easy to make and you can do in bulk, so stuff is available for later/frozen

jennie0918

I really appreciate all the feedback everyone has given me! I've read a lot of great ideas for easy meals and i'm going to attempt to use them in my diet. Thank you!