Most fast food is extremely processed, with a high proportion of salt, sugar, fat, preservatives and additives; low in fibre and nutrients. A natural, healthy diet, in comparison, contains a wide variety of unprocessed or raw foods, prepared as freshly as possible. But if you are a busy householder pressed for time, it may seem that there is just not enough time to prepare a spectacular feast from scratch every night. Here are some ideas to help you bridge the gap, and serve up some healthy meals for your family:

1. Obtain a slow cooker. These wonderful devices can cook your meat or chicken while you’re at work, then all you have to do is steam accompanying vegetables when you get home.

2. Keep that barbeque on the verandah operational over winter. This is a fast way to cook chicken or fish, then serve with some salad or steamed vegetables. If you do not have a barbeque, then a stove top char grill will do.

3. If you own a wok, meals can be created in just a few minutes using meat, vegetables and a spicy sauce.

4. When you create a labour intensive dish for dinner like tuna mornay or lasagne, make double. Serve half, and freeze the other half to reheat on a busy night.

5. Preparing a simple home made soup from scratch only takes 30 minutes. You could serve it with wholemeal bread on a cold winter’s night.

Taking a few minutes to prepare home cooked meals will give you and your family a better standard of nutrition. It will be easier on your wallet too!