This post comes from Your Nutritionista contributor Maggie G. Maggie is a food and nutrition journalist with a passion for everyday cooking — quick, easy, and healthy. In her post, she discusses a common eating phenomenon I’ve never heard such an apt name for: FOOD FATIGUE. We all get it, but what can we do about it?
It doesn’t matter what type of foods you eat. After a while, the same old thing gets boring. Food fatigue is real and we feel that rut when we fix the same handful of recipes over and over until we’re sick of them.
How do you fix the problem? Part of it depends on how you got so tired of your food in the first place, but the bottom line is that you probably need to shake up your routine a bit.
Maybe you’re trying to eat a new way, and aren’t fully familiar with what foods you can cook with. For the most part, there are always a few new recipes or food items you can add—even new vegetables, a different bread for a sandwich, flavorful condiments and seasonings—all these things can spice up your ho-hum dishes.
If it’s just boredom, check out different grocery aisles when you shop. Try new products that could inject some pizzazz—resolve to use one new food each week, and find ways to incorporate it into your menu plan. Bright colors, flavors, and even the presentation can all add interest. Don’t underestimate an attractive plate with colorful arrangements!
Help nip food fatigue in the bud by creating a menu to work from. Maybe even develop a schedule or theme: Mexican on Monday, Tuesday for chicken and such. That little bit of structure might help you in your quest. Visit the library, bookstore or cruise the blog offerings for ideas and recipes. You might even want to share resources with friends who are also struggling — a supper club or recipe card swap, maybe? Returning the focus to the fun of cooking reminds you that great meals don’t just happen; they need time and attention.
Ask for input from your family, but structure the question so that you get helpful responses. Instead of asking, “What foods should I cook?” where the answer might be “pizza and hot dogs every night, plus ice cream,” guide the discussion with something like this: “I’ve been trying to cook healthier food, and I’m running out of ideas. What things have I fixed that you enjoyed most? What type of foods would you like to see more of?” Sometimes, resentment that your efforts are going unappreciated makes you want to throw in the towel. Involving the family in problem-solving (and maybe even meal prep, too) can help!
Step back, too, and look at the rest of your life. Maybe food is just the scapegoat, and something else is the real problem. Are you going through lots of stress? Feeling overwhelmed? Trying to adjust to big changes and busy lives? That could be what’s really bothering you, and fixing dinner ends up being just one more stress to cope with. Finding your inspiration to turn the situation around is tough, and may involve others helping you lighten your load. But it’s worth it to pursue. After all, food is what keeps us alive and it’s what keeps life interesting. Especially if you’re committed to doing the best you can, sometimes you need to readjust your routine.
This post comes from Your Nutritionista contributor Maggie G. Maggie is a food and nutrition journalist with a passion for everyday cooking — quick, easy, and healthy. In her post, she discusses a common eating phenomenon I’ve never heard such an apt name for: FOOD FATIGUE. We all get it, but what can we do about it?
It doesn’t matter what type of foods you eat. After a while, the same old thing gets boring. Food fatigue is real and we feel that rut when we fix the same handful of recipes over and over until we’re sick of them.
How do you fix the problem? Part of it depends on how you got so tired of your food in the first place, but the bottom line is that you probably need to shake up your routine a bit.
Maybe you’re trying to eat a new way, and aren’t fully familiar with what foods you can cook with. For the most part, there are always a few new recipes or food items you can add—even new vegetables, a different bread for a sandwich, flavorful condiments and seasonings—all these things can spice up your ho-hum dishes.
If it’s just boredom, check out different grocery aisles when you shop. Try new products that could inject some pizzazz—resolve to use one new food each week, and find ways to incorporate it into your menu plan. Bright colors, flavors, and even the presentation can all add interest. Don’t underestimate an attractive plate with colorful arrangements!
Help nip food fatigue in the bud by creating a menu to work from. Maybe even develop a schedule or theme: Mexican on Monday, Tuesday for chicken and such. That little bit of structure might help you in your quest. Visit the library, bookstore or cruise the blog offerings for ideas and recipes. You might even want to share resources with friends who are also struggling — a supper club or recipe card swap, maybe? Returning the focus to the fun of cooking reminds you that great meals don’t just happen; they need time and attention.
Ask for input from your family, but structure the question so that you get helpful responses. Instead of asking, “What foods should I cook?” where the answer might be “pizza and hot dogs every night, plus ice cream,” guide the discussion with something like this: “I’ve been trying to cook healthier food, and I’m running out of ideas. What things have I fixed that you enjoyed most? What type of foods would you like to see more of?” Sometimes, resentment that your efforts are going unappreciated makes you want to throw in the towel. Involving the family in problem-solving (and maybe even meal prep, too) can help!
Step back, too, and look at the rest of your life. Maybe food is just the scapegoat, and something else is the real problem. Are you going through lots of stress? Feeling overwhelmed? Trying to adjust to big changes and busy lives? That could be what’s really bothering you, and fixing dinner ends up being just one more stress to cope with. Finding your inspiration to turn the situation around is tough, and may involve others helping you lighten your load. But it’s worth it to pursue. After all, food is what keeps us alive and it’s what keeps life interesting. Especially if you’re committed to doing the best you can, sometimes you need to readjust your routine.