Many of us are staying in these days, and that means cooking more meals at home. While some may find the thought of cooking stressful, making healthy meals is a great way to protect your heart.
Feeling nervous about your culinary skills? Don’t worry – we all start somewhere! The American Heart Association has resources to fit all skillsets starting with How To Cook Healthier at Home. For those wishing to improve their abilities, there’s an entire section dedicated to culinary techniques.
For hassle-free healthy meals in a hurry, having some pantry staples on hand can save you time and stress.
- “Dinner builder” items like canned or dried beans, canned or pouched meat or fish and spaghetti sauce.
- Canned vegetables make easy side dishes and are a great addition to soups and sauces.
- Dried herbs and spices can help boost flavor, without the added sodium of salt.
- Opt for healthy cooking oils like canola, corn or olive. Or choose nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray.
- Feeling snacky? Grab some fruit! It’s a great way to add in some sweetness. If you choose canned or dried fruit that’s great too but avoid the items with added sugars.
If you’ve got ingredients but still struggle on deciding what to make – don’t worry! The AHA has plenty of great options for you. Check out this upgraded ramen recipe or this satisfying pasta dish. Don’t forget about the leftovers – check out this page for tips for how to avoid freezer burn.
Following a healthy eating plan is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. As you go about day-to-day life, we hope that these resources will be helpful. Take care of you and your family during this time. You can find more at www.heart.org/coronavirus-resources.
