You’ve probably heard all the buzz about meal preparation and with May challenge going strong, it’s good to know why!
Meal prep is not just about keeping your kitchen organized; it’s about boosting your overall health and reaping a bunch of other benefits.
Here’s why meal prepping is a game-changer:
It’s a gateway to a healthier lifestyle.
When you meal prep, you bring fresh groceries into your home and make an effort to have the right ingredients at your fingertips.
It’s a money saver.
With meal prepping, the temptation to eat out or waste food diminishes, helping you save those extra pounds.
What’s more, it’s a recipe for better nutritional intake and overall health, as it reduces eating out, leading to a greater likelihood of eating more fruits, veggies, and a balanced diet.
It’s a time saver.
The initial effort you put into meal prep can save you hours in the following days.
It’s a stress reliever. Imagine opening your fridge to see pre-prepped ingredients that take the guesswork out of meal making. Sounds relieving, right?
Now that you’re sold on the benefits, let’s break down some tips to master the art of meal prepping:
Make it a calendar event. Seems like a no-brainer, but it’s crucial! Schedule meal prep just like any other important task. The truth is, impromptu food decisions can lead to unhealthy choices or overeating. So, do future-you a favor and plan ahead.
Embrace batch cooking. Cook larger quantities of versatile ingredients like grains, veggies, eggs, and meats. Doubling or tripling your favorite recipes is a great way to save time and ensure you have wholesome meals ready for the week. Cook, store, and savor when it’s time!
Create a menu.
Even a list of just three dinner ideas can help streamline your grocery shopping, save you money and time, and reduce food waste. Dedicate time to deciding what to cook for the week, keep a handy list, and let that guide your grocery shopping. You could even start by checking what you’ve got in your kitchen already and plan meals around those!
Sync with your schedule. Use your calendar to ensure your meal prep plan aligns with your daily routine. If you’re out for the evening, plan for a slow-cooker meal or a larger meal earlier in the week that’ll leave you with leftovers.
Remember, meal prep isn’t tied to a specific day – it’s flexible, so if Sunday prep becomes Tuesday prep, that’s perfectly fine!
Make the most of frozen and convenience items. Not all ingredients need to be fresh. Frozen and canned foods like veggies, meats, fish, and beans are perfect for meal prep and can help reduce food waste. Healthy convenience options, like pre-chopped veggies and bagged salad mixes, can be lifesavers (although they’re often more expensive)
Get creative with leftovers.
Turn last night’s dinner into tomorrow’s lunch! Leftover taco meat can top a salad the next day, and you can use leftover veggies or grains in myriad ways.
By now, hopefully, you’re feeling ready to conquer meal prep. Start with a couple of tips, and build from there. Find what works best for you and your family. With practice and time, you’ll start looking forward to mealtimes and enjoying them more than ever before. Happy meal prepping!