The key to weight loss may just be eating more simply

Across the world, people are more overweight than ever. One unsettling statistic revealed that the number of overweight adults “has increased by nearly 30% over the past 30 years.” Processed foods likely have a lot to do with this. Processed foods are full of calories, unhealthy ingredients that deprive the body and chemical ingredients that can actually make it harder to lose weight.

Weight loss can be especially hard for people who simply feel like they don’t have any time to commit to making healthy meals or exercising. Exercising is incredibly important, not just for maintaining a healthy weight but also to boost energy levels and for mood improvement and even anti-aging benefits, which is why one should always try to carve at least 30 minutes out of their day to dedicate to simply walking or jogging. The dilemma about what to eat is perhaps where most people falter. While most know that eating fresh and, as often as possible, organic ingredients is essential to weight loss, it may be hard to put into practice.

Maybe just cooking easier meals is the best way to cook at home more. Simple, straightforward meals that are both filling and easy to prepare may encourage those who cannot imagine spending even 30 minutes making some healthy food for themselves.

One recipe from Smitten Kitchen that can almost make itself is an easy, single-pot farro recipe that is both delicious and full of healthy ingredients. While making this recipe, you can just add the ingredients to the pot as you finish chopping them up. As soon as you’re done adding every ingredient to the pot, set a timer for 30 minutes, then bring the pot to a boil. After it comes to a boil, turn the heat down and bring it to a simmer. Note: The timer starts as soon as you turn on the heat, so the timer is going from the very moment you turn on the heating element. When you bring the pot down to a simmer, give the pot a stir, and let it cook for the remainder of the time. Almost no stirring or sweating over a stove required! This recipe uses farro, which is an ancient grain; tomatoes, which are full of lycopene; garlic, the miracle food; and many other healthy ingredients that cook together into a mouth-watering dish.

The ingredients for the recipe are:

• 2 cups pure, filtered water
  1 cup semi-pearled farro
  1/2 large onion
  2 cloves garlic
  9 ounces grape or cherry tomatoes
  1 1/4 teaspoons kosher or coarse sea salt
  1/4 or more teaspoon red pepper flakes
  1 tablespoon olive oil
  Few basil leaves, cut into thin ribbons (added at the end)
  Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, added at the end)

By using simple and healthy recipe, you should find yourself more encouraged to make something at home. There is a saying that goes “you can’t work out a bad diet.” You can exercise as long as you like, but if you do not give your body the nutrition it needs, then seeing the pounds on the scale go down is unlikely. Equally important are the vitamins and minerals in foods that you won’t derive from processed or even some pre-made store-bought foods. The best way to ensure food quality is by making it yourself. So if you are tired at the end of the day and really don’t want to jump through culinary hoops to make yourself a good meal, then try simple recipes like this one to motivate yourself to make healthy choices for yourself and your family.

Sources:

Nielsen.com

SmittenKitchen.com