I hear it often.
- “By the time I get home from work and the gym, the last thing I want to do is cook a meal, even if it’s just twenty minutes.”
- “I love cooking healthy meals when I have company, but when it’s just me on a Tuesday night, I’m not as motivated.”
- “Is it at all possible to eat healthy without getting extra pots and pans dirty?”
These statements make complete sense. I, too, often come home some evenings feeling more lazy than chef-like. I love to cook, and there are nights when all I want to do is press a button and have dinner served to me; I can only imagine what a kitchen-phobe must experience!
Alas, the products listed below have often come to my rescue by allowing me to have a healthy meal with simple ingredients in minutes on days where an avocado, hummus, and sprout sandwich just won’t cut it.
Please note this is simply a personal list of my favorite items. While extensive, it is not a definitive “end all, be all” compilation. There are plenty of other products that would fit the bill but are not listed simply because I have not tried them.
All of these products get high marks from me for flavor, nutrient composition, and agreeable ingredient lists (no test-tube Frankengredients in sight!).
For easier navigation, I have divided them by category.
WHOLE GRAINS
- Seeds of Change Tigris or Uyuni microwaveable rice pouches: these whole grains are already seasoned, but unlike other brands, the sodium content is absolutely reasonable (220 milligrams per cup). Bonus: they are certified organic!
- Tasty Bite microwaveable brown rice: a great way to get whole grains that allows you to flavor to your liking. Super quick and easy flavoring ideas:
- Soy sauce, ground ginger, toasted sesame oil
- Raisins and cashews
- Curry powder and olive oil
BEANS AND LEGUMES (best used as side dishes):
- Amy’s Kitchen low-sodium organic refried beans: Perfect “as is” or spread in a whole grain tortilla wrap as part of a homemade burrito.
- Tasty Bite “heat and eat” Meal Inspirations: Bold flavors and simple ingredients that will not bloat you with copious amounts of sodium
- Eden Organics canned (in Bisphenol-A-free cans!) “heat and eat” rice & beans: When you want the best of both worlds…
SAUCES:
- Seeds of Change Indian simmer sauces: transform a simple stir-fry into a palate-popping dish — without sketchy ingredients or ridiculous amounts of calories and sodium.
- Dave’s Gourmet pasta sauce: with so many commercial pasta sauces laden with sodium and added sugars (but very little flavor), these are an absolute delight. The butternut squash pasta sauce turns pasta night into a culinary treat.
- Alessi pasta sauce: imported from Sicily, so they don’t get “green points”, but I justify my purchases by thinking of all the local produce I purchase!
- Rao’s pasta sauce: I occasionally have a craving for whole wheat penne a la vodka. When I do, this is the sauce I turn to. The price tag is hefty, but one jar lasts me three or four months.
MUST-HAVES FOR A 3-MINUTE ENTREE OR SIDE SALAD (mix and match):
- Pre-washed greens (if the bag or container says “triple washed”, I don’t bother with additional rinsing or washing Straight into my plate or bowl it goes). My tastebuds become putty in arugula’s hands, so that’s generally what I use, but use whatever you prefer.
- Grape or cherry tomatoes. Love these. All they need is a quick rinse. No chopping or slicing needed, unless you want to.
- Canned whole kernel sweet corn: Just needs a quick rinse.
- Pre-shredded carrots: Ready-to-go betacarotene.
- Jarred roasted red peppers
- Pitted olives
- Seeds. Pumpkin, sunflower, hemp, chia. Whatever. Sprinkle two or three tablespoons to add protein, fiber, phytonutrients — and crunch!
- Raisins. Easy way to add sweetness to a salad straight out of a container. Dried cranberries also work, though all varieties contain added sugar.
- Shredded organic cheese (dairy or alternative): Again, open the bag and sprinkle over your salad. Takes all of, what, 20 seconds?
YOU COULD ALSO USE THE SALAD VEGETABLES AS A BED FOR THESE QUICK PROTEINS:
- Turtle Island marinated organic, non-GMO tempeh strips: heat for three or four minutes in a pan and you’re good to go!
- Sunshine Burgers: regular readers know how much I love their organic deliciousness.
- Canned sardines or wild salmon
I don’t have much experience in the realm of frozen meals (and most of what I have tried classifies as “pretty decent” at best, and therefore not fitting for this “best of” post). However, here are a few items (entrees and side dishes) I like to have handy and enjoy eating. FYI: I prefer cooking them in the oven, which does require a good amount of time:
- Evol Burritos: I wish they were slightly lower in sodium, but as long as they are an occasional “I’m in no mood to cook” SOS item (think no more than twice a month), it’s fine. Top with a few tablespoons of salsa if you want to feel more accomplished.
- Dr. Praeger’s sweet potato pancakes: When you don’t have a sweet potato to bake, this is a good alternative.
- Trader Joe’s Thai vegetable dumplings: I sometimes enjoy these as a snack or an appetizer.
And, please, help inform fellow Small Bites readers by leaving your favorite “in a pinch” products that deserves two thumbs up for great flavors and lovely nutrition labels.
