Slimming world...no time to cook!

[RichTea63]

Hi, has anyone had some success/share tips if they have been successful with SW, but haven't had time to cook?

I have two young children and work full time. I'm organised with meal planning during the week, but just couldn't cook separate meals. Family meals are balanced and healthy, but not diet friendly. I know the odd SW meal the kids could have, but I remember from last time doing SW what put me off was the effort of cooking from scratch, and the mental effort.

Ideally I'd do the usual meal for the kids, and bung in something easy for myself, filling up on veggies that the rest of the family would have anyway. Do SW do ready meals that are any good?

Grateful for advice. My eating is out of control and my weight is spiralled, so I need to take action!

Couldn't you have the same meals as your family in smaller portions plus plenty of veg/salad to fill you up? Slimming World sounds like hard work.

Because if your family meals are balanced and healthy they sound ideal for a diet even if not low fat.

The SW ready meals are rubbish.
What sort of meals are you cooking at the minute and we can recommend some tweaks to make it more SW?

This is probably not how most people would think but I think if you're doing the cooking and you want to lose weight for your health, they'd better just go along with what you're having. Your needs don't have to come below everyone else's just because you're a mother.

I don't know Slimming World's method but there's tonnes of healthy meals that are also family-friendly.

Don't use the ready meals, they are so ultra processed. Just cook one healthy meal, and have a small portion with a big salad/pile of veggies.

I have tried this but I have little to no willpower and end up filling my plate. I thought the structure of SW would help.

So this week we've had leftover roast beef + trimmings, pork kebabs, baked salmon and roast veggies, tonight is pie and veg and tomorrow is freezer dip likely lasagne or chilli. I'm chronically sleep deprived and breast feeding, plus working from home and I'm constantly hungry!

No reason that couldn’t have the SW versions?
Cutting down on oils / butter / fatty meats is the only real difference. That would be better for them as well.
If they are having anything extra, like garlic bread or grated cheese, then you won’t be able to have that. It is hard, but…

I'm chronically sleep deprived and breast feeding, plus working from home and I'm constantly hungry!
Your body needs the food. Leave the dieting for when you're not breastfeeding.

For portion size, try using a smaller plate for starters. Fill up by drinking a couple of glasses of water before dinner. Get extra veggies/a side salad for yourself or simply eat a couple of apples.

This guy has good tips www.instagram.com/reel/CzYLTawoIZM/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Having a small portion of low fat vegetable soup or a mixed salad as a starter reduces your appetite for the richer main course and you won't need as much. Have you tried that? I should probably stop posting now, I'm not a SW fan but good luck!

Don't be too harsh on yourself.

The only way really is to change the family meals slightly and eat a smaller potion.

If you are making a roast choose a lean meat or make 2 types of meats which you can eat in the week. If you make a pie then use lean mince or use mash instead of pastry. If you make lasagne use a lower fat alternative to full fat cheese/meat/sauce. Make more fish and chicken dinners and if you make a pie from scratch don’t make yours with pastry?

If you are already cooking meals for the week I presume at the weekend can’t you cook more/extra for yourself in a different dish?

My little one got hives on her face (like blotchy red patches), on Christmas Day and got them again today. They go by the morning, we give her piriton. Otherwise she’s perfectly happy, no other symptoms. I get similar blotchy skin when I drink alcohol but they don’t last as long. Obviously not giving her alcohol and can’t work out what could be triggering it. Has anyone experienced something similar? Should I ask the GP?