One of the reasons often cited for people making particular food choices is the amount of time it takes to prepare a healthy meal. They cite the hours spent peeling and chopping raw vegetables, and they may even feel assembly of a nutritious repast takes too long. There are ways of avoiding long preparation time right before eating, and practice can help shorten the time further. Learning how to prepare a healthy meal and avoid empty calories is a process that should be learned when making a positive lifestyle change.
Many people shop for food only once or twice per week, but they may run to the market when an ingredient is missing for a particular meal. This is the normal course of behaviour, and it can be a drain on their time resources. For those concerned about preparation time when it comes to healthy eating, learning to prepare the food as soon as it is purchased and brought home can save time. All that chopping and peeling done immediately makes the waiting when hunger strikes less of an issue.
There are many good food storage options today, so immediately processing foods in a large batch is not the same issue it used to be. Raw foods today can be cut and prepped for easy use two or three days down the road, and they can be stored in containers that keep out the air. Good seals keep food looking and tasting fresh, and they come in easy to store configurations. Taking out only what is needed to prepare a particular meal also makes them a joy to use.
Healthy eating is dependent upon being prepared, but it should not become a major undertaking every time a person is ready to eat. Modern storage options make it easy to prepare ahead of time, and throwing together a healthy meal of fruits and vegetables can take less time than cooking or preparing a meal loaded with empty calories.