A few weeks ago I talked about the benefits of a whole foods diet and why this is the best way to eat for gut and overall health. However, knowing what to eat and actually doing it are two different things. 

One of the biggest issues with a whole foods diet is that people often find this way of eating difficult to follow through on. It takes planning, prep wor and awareness around what you are eating. Luckily, along the way, I have found some hacks that make eating a whole foods diet a whole lot easier. Today I’m going to share them with you so you too can find this way of eating doable—and maybe even enjoyable, too!

1. Buy Pre-Chopped Veggies 

I can’t tell you the last time I bought a whole head of broccoli or cauliflower. Pre-chopped produce saves me so much time, and I am even one of those people who actually enjoys cutting and cooking food. However, I am at a stage in my life where I simply don’t have much extra time. Spending even 30 minutes in my kitchen chopping veggies is no longer realistic these days. My solution? I buy pre-chopped veggies whenever I can. Some of my favorite vegetables to buy pre-chopped include broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and pre-trimmed green beans.

2. Fill Your Kitchen with Grab-n-Go Whole Foods 

This one requires a bit of prep upfront but pays off. I know this may not seem like a time-saving hack at first, but trust me it will save you time as the week goes on and will make it easier to stick to whole foods. The key is to prep any food that doesn’t come already pre-chopped. For instance, spend some time at the beginning of the week cutting up cantaloupe, slicing bell peppers or washing and putting grapes in a container. You could also stock your fridge with pre-cooked hard-boiled eggs and your pantry with beans for easy protein options during the week. A fruit bowl with fresh fruit washed and ready to eat is another great option. 

One of the reasons why processed foods are so appealing is because they are grab-n-go ready, so one trick to eating more whole foods is to make them just as convenient as processed ones. 

3. Take Advantage of Meal Delivery Kits and Services 

One of my local grocery stores offers meal kits that I regularly buy. Each kit includes pre-chopped veggies, a protein, and a pre-made carbohydrate, typically wild rice. All the prep and planning comes already done, so all I have to do is cook, which typically takes less than 20 minutes to have a tasty, whole foods meal. It ends up being healthier than takeout, costs less, and is often much tastier.

If your local grocery store doesn’t offer this sort of thing, there are a ton of delivery options available, such as Home Chef, Hello Fresh and Green Chef. I love these services since the meals are often loaded with whole foods—just make sure you select the meals that are high in vegetables and similar whole foods.  

4. Stock Your Freezer with Whole Foods

Eating whole foods doesn’t always mean eating fresh foods. Frozen fruits and vegetables are often just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts. Frozen produce is also almost always pre-chopped and won’t go bad if your week doesn’t go according to plan. I like to stock my freezer with pre-cooked soups, rice, and chicken, too. Cooking once and freezing the rest is always a helpful, time-saving strategy.

5. Let Other People Do the Work for You 

Similar to the meal delivery kits and services, you can find pre-made whole foods if you know where to look. For instance, the deli at most supermarkets is loaded with pre-made whole foods. Just the other day, I wasn’t in the mood to cook so ran to the grocery store and picked up pre-cooked salmon and roasted broccoli. When I got home, I reheated some rice from the day before and put it all together for a simple, quick meal. 

Restaurants can also be an excellent source of whole foods. Remember, eating whole foods doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself—it just means you are aware of your food choices and aim to eat food in its most whole form. The trick to eating whole foods at a restaurant is to pay attention to preparation (sauces and dressings can be loaded with processed ingredients and sugar) and focus on simple ingredient foods, such as a protein source, a vegetable and a grain. If you aren’t sure if your meal is made fresh with whole foods or processed from ingredients that came in cans and boxes, just ask. You always have the right to know what goes on your plate and in your body!

Follow these five hacks and whole foods will quickly find more ways into your food routine.