Getting Out Of A Cooking Rut To Help Spur Weight Loss

We all have a few go-to meal options that we make somewhat regularly, but if you’re like a lot of people, eventually you feel like you’re running into a bit of a rut when it comes to dinner. Oftentimes some of our favorite dishes aren’t all that healthy, and if you’re trying to lose weight or adjust your eating habits after a weight loss procedure, you may need to find some new dishes that are enjoyable and healthy. But what’s the best way to break out of this cooking rut and find some healthy recipes that you can add to your routine? In today’s blog, we share some tips for avoiding dinner burnout and finding new recipes that can help you lose weight.

Losing Weight By Changing Your Dinner Habits

If you’re looking to shake up your regular dinner routine, keep these tips in mind and see what works for you and your family.

Crowdsource – If you’re not sure where to start, reach out to friends and family. Put it out on social media that you’re in a bit of a dinner rut and are looking for some healthy meals to add to your rotation. Odds are your friends and family will have a few favorites that they’ll be happy to share with you. Just be mindful of what recipes you decide to incorporate, because their favorites may not align with your weight loss goals. Don’t be afraid to ask for healthy or vegetable-heavy recipes when you’re crowdsourcing ideas.
Incorporate Them Slowly – You may be excited to try a bunch of new recipes, but similar to an exercise routine, gradual implementation is best for finding long-term sustained success. If you have five new meals in a week, you’re less likely to stick with any of these recipes than if you try one or two new dishes. Trying a bunch of new recipes can also be time consuming as you work to make the dish, so trying a bunch in a row can leave you feeling burnt out and less excited about what meals you’re creating.
Meal Plan – It’s also much easier to count calories and avoid excessive calorie intake if you know where your next meal is coming from. That’s why it’s oftentimes so helpful to plan meals at the beginning of the week. If you’re constantly wondering what you’ll make for dinner each night, you’re more likely to stop for fast food or choose flash frozen options, which aren’t always the healthiest. Plan healthy meals each week, and it will be much easier to stay within a healthy calorie range.
Plan Your Grocery Store Visit – You’ve probably heard that you shouldn’t go grocery shopping on an empty stomach, but that’s not as much of an issue if you come into the shopping experience with a plan. Make a list of healthy options and stick to it. If you’re afraid you’ll impulse buy some unhealthy options, take advantage of grocery delivery or pickup options where someone else does the shopping for you, which will also save you a lot of time!
Write Down What You Like – If you find a new meal that you like, don’t just assume you’ll remember it for later. Write down the recipe or bookmark the recipe page online so you can reference it easily in the future.
Get The Family Involved – It’s also very helpful to get the whole family on board and excited about some new meals, because they’ll be eating them as well. Have your kids help add ingredients or find the items at the grocery store, or have a weekly dinner cookoff with your spouse to see who can cook the best new dish. It’s hard to lose weight when the family isn’t excited about what’s for dinner, so get them involved!
Connect With A Specialist – Finally, if you’re struggling with dinner fatigue or you’re finding it hard to maintain any long-term weight loss success, connect with a specialist like Dr. Bhatti. We can help identify some of your individual obstacles to weight loss and develop a personalized program that works for your needs. Let us help guide you down the path to sustained weight loss.

For more information, or for answers to questions you have about weight loss or your diet, reach out to Dr. Bhatti and the team at The Bhatti Weight Loss Center today at (952) 368-3800.