Meal prepping is a helpful skill that benefits your personal health and wellness. Here four helpful tips that facilitate meal prepping.
A well-outlined day consisting of tasks that hold you accountable to your overall health and wellness is key to developing your best self. Specifically, nutrition is a significant element that should require a well-thought-out plan. Meal prepping is an excellent way to help you succeed in this area of health.
You are most likely aware of how influencers portray meal prepping: those aesthetically perfect bento boxes with balanced meals that are colorful, appetizing, and tempting. Meal prepping is a fantastic way to save time and money, but it doesn’t always happen the way social media portrays it.
This article will provide practical advice with four helpful tips for making meal prep easier. Continue reading to learn more!
Plan Your Week
Before making your meals, take some time to plan out your week. Whether it be in a journal or on your phone, writing down meal ideas can help you make conscious nutrition decisions. Next, identify all ingredients you have in your home already and what you’ll need to purchase. This will make the cooking process faster and easier, as you will have a clear plan and all necessary ingredients.
Keep It Simple, Nutritious, and Delicious
Creating elaborate meals in an attempt to check off every food group in the pyramid is an ambitious effort! However, it can take the amusement and simplicity out of the meal prep process. During preparation, it’s best to choose simple recipes that don’t require a lot of time or effort. Just make sure these meals still include some of your favorite foods.
For example, suppose fish is your favorite protein. This is great because fatty fish has many health benefits, and it pairs well with rice and vegetables. With a healthy protein, carb, and vegetable source, you now have a complete and simple meal that you will be excited about.
Use Freezer-Friendly Containers
When considering the proper food storage containers, you want bowls and boxes that are durable and freezer friendly. Sometimes, meal prep containers can be in a freezer for months on end, so quality containers are important.
And remember that when storing liquid lunches, the liquid expands when frozen. This means you’ll need flexible containers. Furthermore, if you have limited space in your freezer, look for stackable boxes that occupy the least amount of room. Doing so can facilitate storage by keeping boxes neat and organized.
Use Your Leftovers
Leftovers are a treasure! Not only are you able to enjoy a delicious meal twice, but you can save time prepping tomorrow’s lunch! You can store leftovers in their original state or incorporate them into new meals. For instance, you can turn cooked vegetables into a frittata or a homemade sauce. You can also build burritos with leftover rice, meat, and vegetables. Planning and prepping your meals ahead of time can be hugely beneficial! It holds you accountable for your nutrition and helps you save money. With these tips, you can make meal prep easier and much less overwhelming.