It can be tempting to head toward your nearest drive-through for a quick meal when you don’t have time to cook. Instead, think about what you can do to add freshness and a home-cooked taste to some ready-made items at your grocery store’s deli. Going with this option instead will save you time, money, and calories.

Rotisserie Chicken: A pre-cooked chicken from the deli is a great alternative when you don’t have time to cook meat yourself, much less roast a whole bird! Make a great dinner salad by slicing the chicken and adding it to your own mix of lettuce and vegetables and your favorite dressing. Grab some refrigerated pie crusts or pastry dough and make a pot pie or some empanadas! The possibilities are endless when you have a whole chicken ready and waiting to be added to your favorite recipes.

Ham: Try something new and order some baked ham! You can make simple one skillet meals that will be fast and tasty. Try adding vegetables and rice to the ham, or make a casserole with ham, potatoes and cheese.

Vegetable Salads: Try going meatless for dinner one night! You can save a lot of time chopping by buying a vegetable salad from the deli and adding a few more ingredients. Add in some cooked couscous or beans, you could even make a great breakfast for dinner by making a vegetarian omelet!

How do you eat healthy when you have a time crunch?

Do you have an idea for a Wellness Wednesday topic? Let us know and check back often for new ideas for keeping you and your family healthy!