I hate to cook and/or prepare meals...help!

If you don't mind spending the money and don't care about the amount of packaging waste you could always buy pre-cut fresh or steam in the bag individual packages of veggies. They're everywhere now.

I like to wash and cut all my whole veggies right when I get home from the store so I can't use 'lazy' as an excuse to eat out. Totally my problem too!

I am pretty much the same way but once I joined this site, I figured out I could have more food for the calories than pre pracked frozen meals so I started cooking again. I cook more than 1 meal portion and then freeze portions for later. It is a lot cheaper and I don't have to cook everyday. Good Luck

It sounds dumb, but get a George Foreman Grill. I cook a bag of chicken at a time. You could do the same with fish if that's your preferred protein.

Plug it in, let it get hot, put the food on, flip once (maybe), take it off, unplug it, wipe it down after it's cool.

If you do chicken just put it in a bag with some marinade then throw it on there with some tongs and you're done. As for steaming veggies, do the steamfresh frozen ones. I have an entire bag of brocolli since the local grocery store had them 10/$10 so I stocked up.

Spend some money on some good seaoning, and mixed seasonings so it takes the drudge out of figuring out or balancing flavors.

If you want more ideas let me know, but that's what I do.

Honestly, it's going to be really difficult to loose weight eating out and consuming large amounts of processed foods. What do you hate about cooking/preparing meals? Is it the prep? Many grocery stores have items already prepped (i.e. diced onions and peppers, pre-seasoned meats, etc.). Is it the time in the kitchen? Use a slow cooker. Is it the clean-up?? Well, I have no advice for that bc I hate that part too. LOL...maybe get a maid if you can afford one! :-)

I used to be like this, now I actually enjoy cooking. I found a cookbook that healthy meals that they said were for beginner cooks, and were ready in 30 mins Max. I started by making 1 meal a week (which sounds pathetic but it was a start) and now I make all my meals, and when I make them I always make extra so I can package it and freeze it so on days when I am on the run, I can just pop my pre-made frozen meal in the microwave and go. Crockpots are great too, as you can throw everything in, go to work, come home and its done.

I never buy veggies I have to prep - its the worst job in my opinion, so I buy everything ready to go that way I don't have to spend extra time peeling, and washing, and cutting.


You have to be willing to spend some time in the kitchen but it is worth it.

I am feel the same as you. I hate to prep, cook, and clean up! But I guess it is just something we HAVE to do if we want to eat healthy and know exactly what we are eating.

Chicken filets are easy to season and cook. Birdseye steamfresh veges in a bag take a few minutes in the microwave. Think cut chops cook really quickly on the stove. Salmon is a great microwavaable fish. Find a cookbook for lazy cooks, there are quite a few out there. Few ingredients, fast results. Most people hate to cook. I don't mind cooking, its all the pots and pans I get stuck with that I hate.

It is easier to hit the drive thru than to plan, shop for, and prepare a meal.

It is easier to sit on the couch and watch TV instead of go for a run.

For me, I'm learning to value my health over convenience--and it is a learning process, as I've had unhealthy habits most of my life.

I've found that I actually enjoy coming up with and preparing healthy meals...almost as much as I like eating them. It's fun learning and trying new things!

Looks like you have gotten some great advice from the great people here on MFP. I do eat a fevv of the lean boxed meals,but they are FULL of sodium. I can't stress enough that even after you meet your goal this is still about a life change.If you go back to the vvay you ate before all the hard vvork is gone. I buy large bags of veg,stir fry. I also buy the fish in bags they are individually vvrapped.. just get one out add some butter spray,lemon,and bake. You can get the Uncle Bens vvild rice in bag ready to heat. I think there are three servings in one bags.
The grill idea for the chicken is great....then they are ready vvhen you are...you can use them vvith veg,make a chicken sandvvich, Love this bread..http://www.oroweat.com/thins/. You can also cook up some pasta(vvheat is best) and I love the tofu pasta. Pasta sauce(Organic is the vvay) add your chicken breast and some lo fat cheese.
Make up tuna salad ahead of time...this is great stuffed in a tomato.
I can go on and on lol. message me if you like anytime. Also the best site to get that keeps you updated on nevv foods and recipes.
http://www.hungry-girl.com/
Best of luck, southern sister

I don't know where you live, but here in Austin, Texas we have a place called my fit foods, the food is made fresh never frozen. If you don't mind spending the money you could look for a place like that where you live or you can order foods that are pre-made on line.

I've seen that place here in Houston, but haven't tried it. How's the food? I thought about it for lunch, but it would be too expensive for me to feed the whole family with my fit foods. Let me know what you get and how it is.

my advice is to just learn how to get over that.at first i hated getting up to workout...now...i need to workout if i dont i feel sluggish and off for the day. Just remember preparing healthy food will benefit you on your journey, eating healthy is key. look up some easy recipes online to start off. alot of my meals r less that 20 mins to make. WHEN THE POUNDS START COMING OFF YOU WILL BE ALL SMILES. you want a lifestyle change so jumping over this hump is a must Good Luck!

Green Giant Valley fresh steamers. Quick, easy and good for you! I'm always way too busy too cook, so I try to stock up on them as much as I can!