I don’t know about you, but I love making slow cooker or Instant Pot meals – so much easier and quicker. And for healthy cooking and meal prep, it’s a no-brainer!
I know someone who has an Instant Pot but still hasn’t used it. It’s gathering dust in her pantry. So don’t do that.
Put your slow cooker or Instant Pot to use. They are kitchen tools/appliances that help us eat healthier, save time and money, and keep your kitchen cooler (on those October days when it’s still trailblazing hot outside).
Why You’re Going to Love a Slow Cooker and Instant Pot
They work while you do
When using a slow cooker, all you have to do is dump the ingredients in, put the lid on, and set the time. Usually cooking in a slow cooker means you’re cooking on the low setting so it simmers all day long. You can set it for 8 – 12 hours and when you get home, yum-m-m. You can smell a delicious dinner waiting for you. Plus, you can use a bunch of vegetables that become very tender so you and your family are eating healthier.
You can save money
You can use tougher cuts of meat like flank, chuck, or round steak which are usually cheaper. But when you add them to a slow cooker or Instant Pot, they become very tender. Brisket is also tougher and best cooked low and slow. Even a whole chicken is inexpensive, and you can cook it in the Instant Pot or slow cooker as well. So cooking in a slow cooker or Instant Pot is very budget friendly.
Easier planning for healthy meals (and for pickier eaters or those on special diets)
With both the slow cooker and Instant Pot, it’s easier to plan your meals. You can find tons of healthy recipes that the whole family will love. They’ll taste great and help you stick to your healthy eating goals. You can add a few diced veggies your pickier eater (maybe that’s you!) won’t usually eat such as fresh beets, broccoli, parsnips, squash, or cauliflower, and they won’t even know. The flavors and textures blend in with your meat, seasoning, and broth so they’ll love it. And if you have any digestive issues like IBS, eating well-cooked veggies and meats is usually easier on your tummy.
Speed things up with an Instant Pot
I fought getting an Instant Pot for a few years after they came out on the market, but now I don’t even remember why. It’s a pressure cooker, but it’s not your grandma’s pressure cooker. The Instant Pot is a modern marvel. You can have the tastiest meals ready in no time. So if you forget to thaw out your meat, just pop it in your Instant Pot with some veggies and a little broth plus seasonings. Your dinner will be ready to serve in about 30 minutes. I love to cook frozen chicken breasts this way.
Cleanup is a breeze
Even if you have a 15-20 minute stovetop meal planned, you often have to scrub loads of pots, pans, and dishes afterwards. By using your slow cooker or Instant Pot, cleanup is minimal because you only have the one container to wash. And we all have more important and fun things to do besides the dishes!
Keep things cooler
Both the slow cooker and Instant Pot don’t emit much heat, so your kitchen and surrounding rooms will stay cool and comfortable even on the hottest summer days.
Simplifies soups, stews, and meals
As the cooler months approach, soups and stews become easier to make using these kitchen appliances. Let your meal simmer all day in the slow cooker, or throw it together in minutes with the Instant Pot. Soups and stews are filling and can help you get many nutrients you need in just one bowl.
The last thing I love about a slow cooker and Instant Pot is leftovers.
Unless you have a huge family, you will probably have leftovers. This saves you time because you can cook one day and have a meal for two days. Or you can freeze leftovers in smaller containers for a quick grab-n-go for work or use another day next week..
So there you have it – eight reasons how using a slow cooker or Instant Pot makes cooking healthy meals much easier even if you’re a busy executive, have a busy family, or even if you’re cooking for one or two!
And you can Click here for a link for a vegetable beef stew recipe – easy to make in the slow cooker, Instant Pot, or even the stove. And here’s a delicious cream soup that’s dairy-free!
Leah Cheshire is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach and a speech-language pathologist who works primarily with women who have brain fog, fatigue, joint pains, weight issues, autoimmune, hormonal, and digestive issues. She’s also an autoimmune warrior herself, having a thyroid autoimmune disease and IBS, and focuses on using nutritional and lifestyle modifications for both herself and clients. She’s been in the medical field for over 30 years and has been helping clients with holistic wellness for over 17 years. She loves helping people take small steps towards better overall health – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Click here to set up a free 20-minute consult to see if you are a good fit to work together and to answer any questions. – Leah Cheshire, MCD, CCC-SLP, NBC-HWC
Note: this information is for educational purposes only and is not meant to be construed as medical advice. Please talk to your own medical practitioner before implementing any nutritional or lifestyle modifications.
