I’ve been completing a Masters in Nutrition and this year has proven to be very hectic and quite stressful, especailly when deadlines come around, which they seem to all too often. Thankfully I will be finished in mid October but in the meantime it’s not going to get any less hectic.
Often when stress hits we find ourselves turning to ‘bad’ or unhealthy foods, particularly at the end of the day when we are super tired and need to relax. Or we might start turning to fast foods, more take away, or even a little more sugar. Trust me, I have indulged a little here and there lately too but I’ve managed to catch myself early on in the downward cycle and have now developed a healthy eating method called SEAT.
So why don’t you take a SEAT right now, grab a cup of herbal tea and get ready to hear what it’s all about 
The SEAT method just came to me as I was eating dinner one night. In fact the whole concept came to me because I was trying to come up with a way to get it across to you in a helpful way.
Easy Stress Free Meals 
So SEAT stands for:
- Streamlined
- Easy
- Appreciation
- Tasty
Let’s look at these a little more closely.
1. Streamlined
I don’t like washing up much and I don’t have a dishwasher other than my husband so streamlined means we have just a few methods. The crockpot/ slow cooker, a one pot meal, an oven bake, or just something simple. In fact according to Google the definition of streamlined is being “more efficient and effective by employing faster or simpler working methods”. That’s exactly what we’re talking about here. This also means when you cook make a batch and eat 2-3 times.
2. Easy
Like me you probably don’t have much time so the criteria is preparation that is as fast as possible, and meals that are simple to cook and create.
3. Appreciation
Even when we’re busy we do need to take time to appreciate our food and life too. So make it a point to sit at the table or somewhere quiet like outside in the fresh air and focus on happiness and peace as you eat. It’s amazing what a difference even 10 of relaxation while you eat can make. It also helps your digestion and health too.
4. Tasty
Of course food always has to be tasty and enjoyable, right? So this is definitely a key criteria!
How to easily put it into action
Get a short list of super easy meals and post them on the fridge. Yes this first step does take a little bit of time but well worth the effort. Then what you do is just use that list to choose meals from and to make a fast shopping list every week.
I’ve made a simple list for you below to help get you started.
Here’s what to do:
- Click here to download the list and stick it on your fridge
- Click on each recipe link below and print out the recipe
- Refer to each recipe for ingredient details to make a shopping list
- Search the web for other easy recipes or include the ones you love
That’s it. You can take a SEAT and enjoy eating healthy even when you’re under stress!
Easy Stress Free Meals
Crockpot Meals
The great thing about the crockpot is you send just 5 minutesm then set it and forget it. Dinner can be made when you get home from work!
Crockpot Chicken Laksa Recipe – 5 minutes prep, easy crockpot cook.
Clean Eating Chicken Soup – 5 minutes prep, easy crockpot cook. Great for breakfast too
Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks Recipe – 5 minutes prep, easy crockpot cook.
15 Minute Meals
Here’s a tip: If you want to serve any of these meals with brown rice during the week, cook one big batch and freeze portions for 2 people in zip lock bags. Get it out of the freezer in the morning and it will be ready for reheating with your 15 minute meal.
15 Minute Healthy Chicken Curry
Super Easy Chickpea and Beef Stir Fry
Simple Pan Fried Chicken Breast – serve it with a salad for a fast 15 minute meal
Chinese Beef Broccoli & Snow Pea Recipe
Chinese Style Ground Pork Stir Fry
Honey Mustard broccoli chicken salad
Bake
Bakes are often easy too because you just throw everything into a pan an stickit in the oven.
Spinach and tomato egg muffins
Trust me, that should be enough to get you started! These meals are simple, delicious and healthy, and as you can see it does not have to take you hours in the kitchen to eat well. That means under stress you can still enjoy eating well without resorting to take away. Give it a try, the SEAT method really does work!
What methods do you use under stress? Or maybe you have some simple time saving tips to share? We’d love to know so please leave your comments below.
Jedha
Nutritionist & Health Counselor
P.S. Be sure to share this with friends, we all get stressed from time to time and need a resource like this!
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