What is the "easiest, healthy, non-fattening" you can cook in 3 min?

[YS2003]

I don't like cooking with grill or oven because it takes too much of my time. I want to shove things in the microwave and time it for 3 min and get it done with it. I admit I am an anti-Christ for food culture. Can someone recommend the recipe based on this requirement? I don't like restaurants; so, I prefer pick things up at supermarkets quickly.
Edit: Let me add "tasty" in this formula.

[BigPrince]

Cereal

[YS2003]

Cereal

You got me there. I am not a big fan of cereal. Too bland. Can someone suggest something else?

[psychofreak]

onion bhajis:

Easy way-
1. chop onion (30 secs)
2. Put in bowl with water + spices (coriander, turmeric etc) (30 secs)
3. Fry... (2.min)

OK...so oil isn't so healthy, but it does has its good points...

EDIT: Just saw you wanted microwave. Microwave food = unhealthy, thats a FACT!

[Sun Baked]

You got me there. I am not a big fan of cereal. Too bland. Can someone suggest something else?

Cup of tap water, microwave 1 minute, drink.

In some areas, this will bring all the flavors of the pollutants out. ;)

Mmm... hot chlorine.

[MOFS]

onion bhajis:

Easy way-
1. chop onion (30 secs)
2. Put in bowl with water + spices (coriander, turmeric etc) (30 secs)
3. Fry... (2.min)

OK...so oil isn't so healthy, but it does has its good points...

EDIT: Just saw you wanted microwave. Microwave food = unhealthy, thats a FACT!

Microwave?! Tasty?! Tbh, you could do quick cook pasta on the hob for about 5 mins and then add some tuna, mayonaise, onions etc and thats roughly you, but why these restrictions? I mean, seriously, pasta's just "add-water-and-chuck-it-on-hob"-mode.:confused:

[pknz]

Honey on toast. Maybe with hundreds and thousands(sprinkles?) if you're lucky

[EricNau]

EDIT: Just saw you wanted microwave. Microwave food = unhealthy, thats a FACT!
It's only unhealthy if it started out that way. The microwave doesn't change anything. If it goes in healthy it will come out healthy.

[YS2003]

onion bhajis:

Easy way-
1. chop onion (30 secs)
2. Put in bowl with water + spices (coriander, turmeric etc) (30 secs)
3. Fry... (2.min)

OK...so oil isn't so healthy, but it does has its good points...

EDIT: Just saw you wanted microwave. Microwave food = unhealthy, thats a FACT!

I appreciate your feedback on this. But, onion is said to cause bad breath. I eat onion as part of salada. But, onion itself does not seem too tasty.

[Sun Baked]

It's only unhealthy if it started out that way. The microwave doesn't change anything. If it goes in healthy it will come out healthy.

Unless you nuke it until it is dead. Which a lot of people do. So they think a microwave = badly cooked food.

The microwave works best if you cook things slowly and give with some pauses in the cooking cycle and give the food time to equalize temperature.

A cheap food thermometer also helps, so you don't instantly overcook things.

Never have problems reheating chicken or even keeping the beef warm and pink inside.

[orangemacapple]

raw celery

maybe add some smuckers natural p-nut butter if you can stand the fat

[Legolamb]

1) 1 tbs. peanut butter on multigrain toast. Zap it so it so the peanut butter spreads out.
2) break a couple eggs in a microwavable dish. Add some pepper, green onions, asparagus, one slice cheese. Zap for 2 minutes.

[poopyhead]

I lived for a long time on microwaved sugar snap peas (with spray on I can't believe its not butter) and prepared packaged tuna steaks. It's healty, tastes decent, and quick.

[raggedjimmi]

Well you already said you don't want it but -

Cheese on toast. grilled. Polish Sepoka (sp.), chopped cherry tomatoes. lovely stuff.

[YS2003]

I think whoever comes up with the best "food" for this will be a next millionaire (in US Dollar, that is). There are many folks who are too busy to get bothered with cooking things after coming home from work.

[Felldownthewell]

Bagels shouldn't be done in a microwave, but they can be done a toaster, which is equally mindless.

Also, not microwaveable, but eggs have protien and cook in seconds on the stove.

Microwave-based? If you have a New Seasons, Wild Oats, or Trader Joes near you, you can pick up healthy (ish) organic microwaveable meals, most commonly eaten at my school are enchilladas and mac and cheese.

Salads require no cooking, and are healthy. The hey with salad is to put in delicious things to combat the green-healthy-ness. I usually take leftover chicken, slice it up, cover it in cheese, then melt it in a toaster over, then put it on a salad with feta, a balsamic vinegar and oil dressing, often with chopped up pears, and toasted walnuts.

Another alternative to microwave food, also, is to cook, but do it in huge quantities once a month. For example, make enough spagetti sauce for 15 meals, then freeze in meal-sized containers. That way you have 15 healthy meals for which all you have to do is boil pasta, and you only spend 2 hours a month cooking, which really isn't that bad.

Sorry that most of this isn't microwave based, but I tried! :)

[BigPrince]

Hungry Man Xxl

[sushi]

Instant Oatmeal. Cheap. Quick and easy to prepare. Warm and good. Comes mixed with a variety of tastes.

Nuke and add a little milk.

[Grakkle]

Ramen noodles. Or those freeze-dried soup cup things. I'm not a huge fan of either but they are fast and fairly healthy - at least if you get decent ramen or soup cups.

[UserofMacOSX]

What about Hot Pockets? I like Ramen noodles, but the soup cups make me violently ill and very unpleasant! :mad: They are atrocious.

[YS2003]

Ramen noodles. Or those freeze-dried soup cup things. I'm not a huge fan of either but they are fast and fairly healthy - at least if you get decent ramen or soup cups.

Ramen noodle you can buy at the regular grocery stores are not healthy. Too much trans-fat and salt. It is just a bad food. You can get fat very easily by eating those things. So, it does not make a cut for my requirement of "not fattening" and "healthy."

What about Hot Pockets? I like Ramen noodles, but the soup cups make me violently ill and very unpleasant! :mad: They are atrocious.

Hot Pockets are loaded with saturated fat, coupled with high calorie. It is not healthy nor "non-fattening." Even someone gives it to me free, I won't even eat that thing.

[UserofMacOSX]

Hot Pockets are loaded with saturated fat, coupled with high calorie. It is not healthy nor "non-fattening." Even someone gives it to me free, I won't even eat that thing.

Maybe I should have specified the Lean Pockets thing, the healthier ones. Go get some hard-tack, that has nothing in it except tooth-breaking goodness! LOL

[shecky]

-stir fry veggies (there are some good frozen packs out there with a nice mix of ingredients, nuke for 2 minues to defrost them) with some kind of protien (chicken or shrimp for me), a little splash of soy, mirin and maybe some hoisin sauce over brown rice (the 90 second microwave packs of rice are super easy and i think taste great). this can be cooked in one dish (wok) and made inside of 5 minutes. very healthy since you use a tiny bit of oil and a wide variety of flavors depending on the protein, the veggies and the sauces you add

-fish (i like tilapia) with ritz crackers crumpled over the top, in a oval glass dish, oven at 400 for 25 minutes. does take 25 minutes to cook but only about 2 minutes to prepare. you can also get frozen fish fillets. some lemon adds nicely to it.

-i second oatmeal. super healthy, very filling, very easy. add a combination of dried fruit, fresh fruit, maple syrup, brown sugar, and/or honey to jazz it up.

[Grakkle]

Ramen noodle you can buy at the regular grocery stores are not healthy. Too much trans-fat and salt. It is just a bad food. You can get fat very easily by eating those things. So, it does not make a cut for my requirement of "not fattening" and "healthy."

You're right. Regular grocery-store ramen noodles are junk. You can buy good ramen noodles at health food stores, and I've seen them at some regular grocery stores too, that ARE healthy: whole grain noodles, miso/soy seasoning rather than just oil and salt, etc.

[LethalWolfe]

turkey dogs.


Lethal

[Abstract]

1. Put frozen corn in a cup.
2. Microwave.
3. Some butter on top, maybe some salt.


Or just eat an :apple: a day.

[viccles]

I say an egg fried in spray olive oil. A little fat but its pretty healthy

[miloblithe]

There are a number of grains that are easily microwaved in a few minutes; just add water. Combine those with (depending on the grain) fresh or frozen fruit or a variety of vegetables and spices. Eat with microwaved beans or bean/corn/tomato type salads (add cilantro, etc).

That's about as healthy and easy as you're going to get.

And people. For the love of god, lean pockets and ramen noodles are not healthy.

[bbarnhart]

Some of these are repeats...

Blueberries
Strawberries
Celery
Apples
Nuts - Walnuts, peanuts
Oatmeal
Peanut Butter
Cottage Cheese
Hard boiled eggs
Carrots
Frozen green beans - frozen mixed veggies - frozen broccoli
Snow Peas
Parmesan Cheese
100% whole wheat toast
Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes - although grocery store tomatoes are not that good.

I think 3 minutes to "cook" something healthy is unrealistic. If you're willing to prepare / cook for longer and then store in the freezer / fridge, you'd have a lot more options.

Broiled Chicken - lots of seasoning options plus some of the above
White Chili (chicken) - freezes really well
Salad with chicken / steak - non-fat dressing

[yg17]

I have no idea if they're healthy (probably not) but...Banquet (I think that's who makes it. it's the ones in a red box) it is has frozen spaghetti and meatball dinners that are pretty good and they cost 99 cents at Wal-Mart. They microwave in 3 minutes.

Being on a college student budget, I've tried many cheap frozen dinners and have found that those are one of the best

[prostuff1]

Don't take this the wrong way...

but if a person can't be bothered to spend a little bit of time cooking a real meal then i don't think non-fattening and all that stuff should be included.

I am a student going to uni right now and hell I spend more then three minutes cooking meals. I usually cook something for myself every night. Hell, even the cheap mac&cheese at krogers is decent after adding some real Velveeta cheese adn some more milk. And have you ever thought about a roast ina crock pot. I have done that a couple of times. Put it in the fridge the night before to unfreeze a little, then put it in with some spices and what not in the morning before leaving for work, set it on low and let it cook for 8-10 hours while gone. Talk about good food when you get home!! Personally, i like stuff cooked in the stove. I know it usually takes longer but it is one of those set the stove, through stuff in a pan, set timer, then when timer goes off eat. Can;t get much more simple then that.

And if you really want quick and easy try the mac and cheese int he microwave with a slice of real Velveeta cheese.

[Abstract]

Salad?

[Rodimus Prime]

You are looking for something that is near impossible. I have grown fond of cooked meals but even then if you do it right you can spend very little time in fount of the stove. Still take a good 20 mins to make the meal but that mostly just going over there at about 10 mins changing some things and stiring it and resetting the timer.

But as for you there are healthy choice microwave dinners that are healthy and taste oik but pretty good for how fast you want you meals. Something I make quite a bit is the stouffer's frozen meals. Take them out of the freezer put them in the skillet and turn on the heat. Set a timer for 8-10 mins and go off and work on something until it goes off. Get up go over to the stove, take the lid off, stir it a little and maybe add some spices and what not and then reset the timer for another 8mins and go off and work on something until it goes off. Then dinner is served. Very quite and easy and I spend maybe 1 mins in front of the stove.

[és:]

How about some pasta? You can get wholemeal pasta if you are super healthy, some ripe tomatoes and some basil. Very quick, very simple, very filling and full of antioxidants in the tomatoes. A bonus is that it is pretty cheap.

[iW00t]

1) Walk into Boost
2) Stand in queue
3) Hand over $5
4) Collect your carrot juice

:D

Alternatively you can just juice your own, but it definitely takes more than 3 minutes.

[Jaffa Cake]

Boil an egg? And maybe have some toasted brown bread with it too?

[djstarrock]

I can't believe no one's mentioned a jacket potato. Put a potato in the microwave for 3 to 5 mins bigger the potato more time check it half way through, when its wrinkly its done. Cut it through the middle add cheese and put vegetables at the side. Quick and easy and hardly any fat

[miloblithe]

Don't take this the wrong way...

but if a person can't be bothered to spend a little bit of time cooking a real meal then i don't think non-fattening and all that stuff should be included.

I am a student going to uni right now and hell I spend more then three minutes cooking meals. I usually cook something for myself every night. Hell, even the cheap mac&cheese at krogers is decent after adding some real Velveeta cheese adn some more milk. And have you ever thought about a roast ina crock pot. I have done that a couple of times. Put it in the fridge the night before to unfreeze a little, then put it in with some spices and what not in the morning before leaving for work, set it on low and let it cook for 8-10 hours while gone. Talk about good food when you get home!! Personally, i like stuff cooked in the stove. I know it usually takes longer but it is one of those set the stove, through stuff in a pan, set timer, then when timer goes off eat. Can;t get much more simple then that.

And if you really want quick and easy try the mac and cheese int he microwave with a slice of real Velveeta cheese.

You are aware that Velveeta does not make cheese?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velveeta

I can't believe no one's mentioned a jacket potato. Put a potato in the microwave for 3 to 5 mins bigger the potato more time check it half way through, when its wrinkly its done. Cut it through the middle add cheese and put vegetables at the side. Quick and easy and hardly any fat

Definitely a good suggestion. Also great with yogurt instead of sour cream and/or chili on top.

[YS2003]

Salad?

That is one of my favorites. I nuke microwavable chicken cutlets on high for one min, get rid of the juice from chicken, put in pre-packaged salad on it, and put on some low fat greek cheese or blue cheese (it takes about 3 min to get it done).

Boil an egg? And maybe have some toasted brown bread with it too?
Whole wheat bread with high quality peanut butter is also one of my favorites. I avoid the cheap peanut butter which contains tons of sugar. I don't toast the bread (I am too lazy to use the toaster). I was told eating too much eggs will increase your cholesterol.

It seems I am already as efficient as possible with my cooking (not really cooking; maybe I should say "food preparation").

I can't believe no one's mentioned a jacket potato. Put a potato in the microwave for 3 to 5 mins bigger the potato more time check it half way through, when its wrinkly its done. Cut it through the middle add cheese and put vegetables at the side. Quick and easy and hardly any fat
Do you have to put the potato in aluminum foil before you nuke it in microwave? I am interested in this as it seems very simple to cook and unprocessed potato has high quality carbohydrate. I recall I saw a few different types of potatoes. Is this for a jumbo potato (a little larger than a baseball).

[nitynate]

A healthy option, although not so cheap, is Thai Kitchen Rice Noodle Bowls, I am eating one right now, and it took exactly 3 mins and is GREAT food.
Healthy, non-fatening, easy (just add water) and very tasty.
This is what the box looks like.
http://a1468.g.akamai.net/f/1468/580/1d/pics.drugstore.com/prodimg/94645/200.jpg

Haha. I sound like a sales person, but I live on these things. :p

Do you have to put the potato in aluminum foil before you nuke it in microwave?
P.S. NEVER PUT ALUMINUM FOIL IN THE MICROWAVE.

[FleurDuMal]

A slice of low fat Dairylea cheese slices between two Jacobs crackers. Easy, cheap, and practically no fat. I live on these when I have no money :o

[djstarrock]

Do you have to put the potato in aluminum foil before you nuke it in microwave? I am interested in this as it seems very simple to cook and unprocessed potato has high quality carbohydrate. I recall I saw a few different types of potatoes. Is this for a jumbo potato (a little larger than a baseball).
No you don't don't put it in aluminum foil unless you want a light show in your microwave. For your other question yes the jumbo potato should take about 5 mins, if your unsure if its not cooked then put it with a fork to see if its soft inside when its looks wrinkly it should be done.

[Xyl]

I think there are only so many 3-minute ideas that fit your requirements and restrictions. So even if you have all the ideas in the world, you might get bored of them quick (hence asking for suggestions on this thread?)

However, I have an EXCELLENT idea! :D

This takes more than 3 minutes initially, but you'll have healthy, good-tasting meals in 0 minutes for the rest of your life....get a wife! :rolleyes: :p ;) (edit: I'm assuming you're male, if not, the situation becomes more difficult).

[JBazz]

Crack 2 eggs in a cup, add one pad of butter and salt n pepper to taste. Scramble. Microwave to 15 secs and scramble again. Repeat until done.

I eat this for a snack all the time.

[JBazz]

A healthy option, although not so cheap, is Thai Kitchen Rice Noodle Bowls, I am eating one right now, and it took exactly 3 mins and is GREAT food.
Healthy, non-fatening, easy (just add water) and very tasty.
This is what the box looks like.
http://a1468.g.akamai.net/f/1468/580/1d/pics.drugstore.com/prodimg/94645/200.jpg

Haha. I sound like a sales person, but I live on these things. :p


P.S. NEVER PUT ALUMINUM FOIL IN THE MICROWAVE.

You do realize that it has 627 mg of sodium and 25 g of carbs with only 2 g of protein and virtually no nutritional value in that one bowl, right? It is okay to say it is a quick tasty snack. But to say it is healthy is really pushin it.

[Hummer]

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/6483/67321clok3.gif

Boca Meatless Burgers. They taste almost like real burgers minus the fat and take less than 3 minutes to make.

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/1948/picture3cb8.png

[jessica.]

BBQ veggies

[prostuff1]

You are aware that Velveeta does not make cheese?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velveeta



Yes i realize that Velveeta is not the name of the company that makes the cheese. I refered to it that way mostly because that is always what i have called it, as it tell you what it is.

On another note, they actually make a cheese that is in a jar and pretty much already melted if you are to lazy to wait for the velveeta to melt. Not sure what that is called but my mom started using it cause it was quicker and tasted nearly the same.

[kainjow]

I love making some eggs in a basket (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_in_the_basket). I use butter on it when I cook it though.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/95/Making_eggs_in_basket.jpg

[YS2003]

You do realize that it has 627 mg of sodium and 25 g of carbs with only 2 g of protein and virtually no nutritional value in that one bowl, right? It is okay to say it is a quick tasty snack. But to say it is healthy is really pushin it.

I was also wondering the same thing. Even though that noodle seems tasty and non-fattening, it is rather empty calorie food (unless you put in something nutritional in that bowl).
By the way, what is it about the high sodium content for those processed foods? The majority of frozen foods you microwave before eating tends to have the high sodium content.

[YS2003]

I love making some eggs in a basket (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_in_the_basket). I use butter on it when I cook it though.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/95/Making_eggs_in_basket.jpg

Do you eat them all in one sitting? Many nutritionists say 4 eggs a day could contribute to high cholesterol.

[evoluzione]

edamame :)

[kainjow]

Do you eat them all in one sitting? Many nutritionists say 4 eggs a day could contribute to high cholesterol.

No, I only usually eat 1-2. And I don't eat them every day, just once in a while.

[YS2003]

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/6483/67321clok3.gif

Boca Meatless Burgers. They taste almost like real burgers minus the fat and take less than 3 minutes to make.

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/1948/picture3cb8.png

It seems this one fits my bill. I will pick one up when I go to a grocery shop. They use soy as the main ingredient; so, it has protein to contribute to the recommended daily intake.

[savar]

I don't like cooking with grill or oven because it takes too much of my time. I want to shove things in the microwave and time it for 3 min and get it done with it. I admit I am an anti-Christ for food culture. Can someone recommend the recipe based on this requirement? I don't like restaurants; so, I prefer pick things up at supermarkets quickly.
Edit: Let me add "tasty" in this formula.

3 minutes? microwave? tasty? healthy? nothing....

a few millenia ago, human beings spent most of their day looking for food--like most animals in the wild.

nowadays we spend only a couple of hours preparing and eating food. as annoying as it may seem, conflicting with all the other things we want to do with our lives, don't forget that food is one of the essential ingredients to life. i like good food fast like the next person, but i think you're being unreasonable to expect a good meal in 3 minutes without getting any pans dirty.

[ruutiveijari]

Just out of curiosity - how much do you people eat prepared food? Or white bread?

EDIT: You can cook porridge in 3 minutes. And do it all in a microwave.

[smueboy]

1) Walk into Boost
2) Stand in queue
3) Hand over $5
4) Collect your carrot juice

:D

Alternatively you can just juice your own, but it definitely takes more than 3 minutes.


Oh i love Boost! I miss it here in the US. :(

[smueboy]

I love making some eggs in a basket (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_in_the_basket). I use butter on it when I cook it though.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/95/Making_eggs_in_basket.jpg

I haven't eaten that in years - my dad used to do that for me as a kid!




For me, a quick healthy bite is sliced tomato, onion (optional), white pepper or tabasco and low fat cheddar on bread/toast - grilled 'till cheese is molten!

[miloblithe]

I think people need to realize that there's a lot more to nutrition than avoiding fat. Any good diet needs fat, although most people get too much, as well as too much protein. People also tend to get too many empty carbs and way too much salt. It's far more important to have fresh and less processed food than it is to avoid fat in general.

[és:]

I think people need to realize that there's a lot more to nutrition than avoiding fat. Any good diet needs fat, although most people get too much, as well as too much protein. People also tend to get too many empty carbs and way too much salt. It's far more important to have fresh and less processed food than it is to avoid fat in general.


I fully agree with that. Great advice.

[TequilaBoobs]

2 shots cod liver oil
3 cloves raw garlic
1 serving chicken breast (no oil, low sodium)
1 head of broccoli - raw or blanched
call me in the morning

[Rodimus Prime]

I think people need to realize that there's a lot more to nutrition than avoiding fat. Any good diet needs fat, although most people get too much, as well as too much protein. People also tend to get too many empty carbs and way too much salt. It's far more important to have fresh and less processed food than it is to avoid fat in general.

would not be suprised on any of that. I know for a lot of people high protien is a good thing to go for. It is very imporant for people who are hypo to make sure they take in a good amount of protein with every meal to keep their blood suger levels stable. (it does not cause insulan production so the blood suger levels do not drop)

[Xyl]

I think people need to realize that there's a lot more to nutrition than avoiding fat. Any good diet needs fat, although most people get too much, as well as too much protein. People also tend to get too many empty carbs and way too much salt. It's far more important to have fresh and less processed food than it is to avoid fat in general.

Really, best advice so far. If you aren't eating processed foods, and you're not 85 years of age, you really aren't going to be using too much fat when you cook yourself (unless you're deep frying everything). In others words, if you don't eat processed food (or eating out) for every meal, you can just stop worrying about food being too fatty.
Same with eggs, unless you're 85 years of age, you're not going to get high cholesterol eating a few eggs every week. It's all about moderation (yes I know, it's said a lot, but it warrants emphasis still...)

[nitynate]

Fine, these dont even need preparing, and stay with you all day. :p

http://gsm.about.com/pictures/photo_us/052/adde020b.jpg


i am obviously joking.

[YS2003]

Fine, these dont even need preparing, and stay with you all day. :p

http://gsm.about.com/pictures/photo_us/052/adde020b.jpg


i am obviously joking.

I sometimes wish I can buy the space food astronauts might eat on their space mission. I think I can get all the nutrition I need and I can eat it very quickly without using eating utensils.

[iBrandi]

Pita Pizza!

Take wheat pita bread with marinara sauce and heat in the microwave for a minute and a half. I don't eat cheese but you can put cheese on it as well and it tastes like a pizza. It's great and low cal. :)