Introduction

Are you like me, struggling with "what to eat tonight" after work? Tired of takeout but overwhelmed by cooking? As a post-90s person who transformed from someone who never cooked to someone who now prepares balanced meals daily, I want to share my insights. These experiences were gathered over three years of work, and I hope they can inspire those facing similar challenges.

The Lazy Person's Mindset

Fundamentally, we cooking-averse people fear two things: the hassle of preparing ingredients and the time-consuming nature of cooking. However, healthy eating can be incredibly simple with the right approach. In my view, cooking isn't about technique but about changing your mindset. We need to learn to solve problems simply rather than complicating simple tasks.

For instance, I've developed a set of dietary principles suitable for lazy people that allows you to eat healthily without kitchen struggles. First, we must accept that simple doesn't mean unhealthy. Many believe only elaborate meals are good meals, but that's not true. Healthy eating focuses more on nutritional balance than dish complexity.

Second, we should utilize modern technology and conveniences. Today's kitchen appliances and ready-to-eat products are highly developed and can save us many cooking steps. For example, rice cookers can make porridge and steam vegetables; microwaves can bake sweet potatoes and cook corn.

Finally, establish your own ingredient storage system. Like charging our phones, ingredients need regular replenishment. I do one weekly shopping trip to stock up on common ingredients, eliminating daily grocery shopping worries.

Ingredient Shopping

First, let's clarify what's worth buying at the supermarket. Remember one principle: choose ready-to-eat when possible and stock up when feasible. From my experience, planned shopping is crucial. Before each supermarket trip, I check my inventory and make a list of needed items.

For ready-to-eat foods, I highly recommend instant oatmeal, whole wheat bread, and Greek yogurt. These foods have longer shelf lives and high nutritional value. Whole wheat bread is rich in dietary fiber for gut health; Greek yogurt contains more protein than regular yogurt, perfect for fitness enthusiasts.

Regarding frozen foods, while you can stock up on dumplings and rice balls, frozen vegetables are most recommended. Many don't realize that frozen vegetables aren't nutritionally inferior to fresh ones, as they're frozen at peak freshness, preserving nutrients. Plus, frozen vegetables come pre-cut, ready to cook, saving time.

For meat, I suggest choosing easily prepared options. For instance, buy pre-cut chicken breast or ready-to-eat boiled chicken breast. For pork, tenderloin is a good choice as it's tender and cooks quickly. I usually buy sliced beef for hotpot or beef rice bowls.

Seasonings are important but don't need many varieties. I keep basics like salt, soy sauce, and oyster sauce, plus some compound seasonings like black pepper and curry powder. These seasonings can create different flavors from simple ingredients.

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