Most of us have planned on meal prepping, but have you committed? Meal and snack prepping can save you from making impulsive decisions and succumbing to foods that aren’t in line with your healthy lifestyle. “I don’t have enough time” and “Eating out is just more convenient” are popular excuses. So, with this extra time at home, you have the perfect opportunity to get yourself into a good routine and discover the wonders of meal and snack prepping. Here are a few tips to get you on your way to becoming a meal prep champion!
5 Tips for Meal Prepping
- Plan Your Meals
Proper preparation prevents poor performance. Grocery shopping and cooking will flow much more smoothly if you already know what you’re preparing for each day. Use the notepad in your phone, your laptop, or old fashioned pen and pad to document your meal plans. Whatever you choose, be sure to get specific with your plans to include all that you’ll be eating. The more detailed you are, the less room for mishaps and extra trips to the grocery store for forgotten items.
- Pick Versatile Dishes
Go for foods that work well with a variety of meals so you can stretch them throughout the week and have multiple meals from one simple dish. Baked chicken and quinoa can be eaten as a side, salad, or grain bowl. Also, cauliflower can be used in a mash, soup, or served on the side raw or steamed. Have fun and get creative, as there are dozens of ways to spice up your food to have plenty of variety during the week. Go for foods that you typically enjoy, but don’t be afraid to switch it up.
- Designate a Day for Prep
To keep things organized, it’s important that you set aside one day each week to do your prep. Maybe you shop each Saturday and prep on Sundays, whatever works for you. This is supposed to be fun, so spice it up with music, your favorite TV show, or help from friends and family to make the task more enjoyable.
- Keep the Basics on Hand
There’s a few meal and snack prep go-to’s that will save you when you’re in a crunch and can’t make it to the grocery store. Eggs, grains, dried tuna, frozen vegetables, nuts, and fruit are a great starting point. These foods are not only tasty and nutritious, but they’re quick and easy to throw together with a meal last minute. Working smarter will make meal and snack prep a breeze!
- Divide It into Portions
This is big! Be sure to go ahead and portion out your food for grab-and-go snacks and meals throughout the week. Some of your momentum will be lost if you do the work to prep your food for the week but you still have to portion it out each day. Create the most convenient and ideal situation for yourself by simply taking some extra time to portion your food out for each day. Not only is this convenient for you, but it can also prevent you from overeating. Be mindful of the recommended portion sizes when you’re preparing the portions for each meal.
These are a few great tips to get you well on your way to becoming a pro at food prepping. By simply implementing these tips, you’ll save a lot of time and headache as you get yourself accustomed to prepping. Remember, have fun and be creative! Enjoy!
Comments (0)