5 ways to make cooking fun

Happy Nutrition Month! This month is the perfect opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of a balanced diet for health and well-being[1]. This year’s theme is once again: Eat well to live well. And since eating well starts in the kitchen, here are five practical strategies to make cooking a real pleasure.

1. Plan to simplify (and breathe!)

On Sundays, take a few minutes to plan your menu for the week. Get out your best magnetic calendar, add a color code (yellow for poultry, red for red meat, green for veggies, etc.) and turn planning into a motivating ritual.

See these moments as an act of kindness towards yourself. You’re preparing recipes you love, with ingredients that nourish your body and your energy. Why not accompany it all with a homemade mocktail[2] to make the experience even more enjoyable?

To simplify things:

• Make a list of your favorite proteins (chicken, beef, salmon, tofu, etc.).
• Match 2 or 3 recipes to each one.
• Then select based on grocery store discounts.

The result: less improvisation, less frustration, and above all… no missing ingredients at mealtime!

2. Add a splash of fun (yes, it’s okay!)

Cooking shouldn’t be a chore… and it doesn’t have to be boring!

There are lots of ways to make it more enjoyable:

• Cook with your partner or kids.
• Organize a meal prep session with friends (combine productivity with quality time!).
• Put on your favorite music or an inspiring podcast.
• Light a candle.
• Call a friend while you chop vegetables.

Associating cooking with an enjoyable moment completely changes your perception of the task. It goes from being a chore to a moment of connection and relaxation.

3. A tidy kitchen, a lighter spirit

It may seem trivial… but your environment has a huge impact on your motivation.

Coming home from work to a cluttered countertop? Discouraging.

Walking into a clean, uncluttered kitchen? Inspiring.

Keeping your space tidy allows you to:

• Have more room to cook
• Reduce mental load
• Avoid double tasks (tidying up before and after cooking)

Here’s a simple tip: clean as you go. You’ll significantly reduce the amount of time you spend cleaning at the end… and keep your motivation intact.

4. Take inspiration from meal delivery companies

Meal kits can be a great help. Receiving pre-portioned ingredients and detailed recipes reduces the time spent thinking about what to cook, lightens the mental load, and ensures variety in your menu.

Companies such as ChefsPlate, Fresh Prep, Goodfood, HelloFresh, and WeCook can also serve as a source of ideas. Even without a subscription, their menus are an excellent source of inspiration.

Perfect for breaking out of your routine and discovering new flavors!

5. Focus on recipes that are realistic

Something unexpected come up? Your partner forgot to take the chicken out of the freezer? A busier day than expected? Always have a few “go-to” recipes on hand.

Focus on recipes based on non-perishable foods, ingredients that you always have on hand, such as frozen vegetables.

For example:

• Thai soup with shrimp and frozen vegetables, rice noodles, and curry paste, or
• A poke bowl with vegetables from the fridge, rice, and frozen edamame.

Which of these 5 tips will you try first? Are there any that you already apply? A nutritionist isn’t just there to give you a meal plan; they can analyze your habits and give you practical advice on how to make cooking simple, enjoyable, and fun!

Feel free to visit the Dietitians of Canada website for more information on this topic.

Have a great Nutrition Month and, above all, happy cooking! 🍽️✨

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[1] Santé Canda, 5 mars 2024. Message du ministre de la Santé sur le Mois de la nutrition

[2] Véronique Dion-Cyr, 1 février 2023, Nautilus Plus, 3 Mocktails Recipes for a Refreshing Change!

5 ways to make cooking fun is a post from Nautilus Plus. The Nautilus Plus blog aims to help people in their journey to fitness through articles on training, nutrition, motivation, exercise and healthy recipes.
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