With the onset of the pandemic, people have made significant lifestyle changes. One of them is sticking with home-cooked food. The situation is still unpredictable with its on and off impact, so many believe that eating at home is a safer idea.

Now, one major challenge people, especially working women are facing is that finding time to cook a healthy meal for lunch or dinner that has all nutrition value. With regards to this, Pot Meal is considered to be a convenient solution.

One-Pot meal usually refers to a meal cooked in one single pot containing all nutritional elements, – carbs, protein, vitamins, and fats. In the Indian context, Thali served in different cultures consists of all nutritional values but these dishes are cooked separately so despite having all healthy elements it doesn’t qualify the label of one Pot meal. Having said that, food preparation in Indian culture is so time-consuming that it is difficult to have all the required daily amount in cooking just one or two dishes.

Pot meal comes with several options of flavors and tastes whether you like Italian, Mexican, Russian or Chinese all recipes are available. The non-vegetarians and Vegans can also try this method of cooking.

Cooking time for these recipes does not require a long time as they can be stir-fried or just boiled and can be mixed with sauces and seasoning. Many Indian families struggle with the food habits of their very picky kids. From mothers’ perspective, making kids eat vegetables and healthy food items is a tedious job as kids have become more inclined towards Fast-food items.  

Trying a pot meal may prove to be a great help as cooking spaghetti, noodles, pasta along with vegetables and proteins will consist of all nutritional value. 

Why pot meal is nutritious:

The method of cooking Pot meal is very simple and retains its nutritious values. The method involves mainly water in which all vegetables and meat are cooked.

The vegetables and meat release water and tissues in water imbibing nutrients into the water, after adding rice, pasta, noodles, it turns into a smooth mixture of a nutritious dish.

Using this method brings novelty in flavor and the taste becomes slightly different from that of conventional cooking.

One significant benefit of pot meals is that kids become familiar with different food textures get into healthier eating. One brilliant example of a pot meal in Indian culture is ‘Khichdi’ which is prepared with lentils and rice in one pot. It can be made as nutritious as you want by adding a lot of vegetables, this way it will consist of protein, carbs, and vitamins in one pot. Another benefit is, it is cooked in all cultures though, in different names.

In the same way, with little creativity, things can be made more tempting and sumptuous. Add some beans and vegetables to pasta or noodle, or add some chicken pieces and veggies to rice, or add paneer and veggies to rice or pasta, you will not only have a new taste but also nutritional values.