Between work, family life and other responsibilities – there just isn’t time to cook every single day. This means opting for takeaways to satisfy those hunger pangs or munching on whatever you can find first in the cupboard. Usually, unhealthy treats are the go-to.
But meal prep has become the ‘saving grace’ that’s rocking the world and making life so convenient – and we can see why! Preparing your meals in advance can help to avoid processed or ‘on-the-go’ foods and lessens the anxiety that comes with deciding what to eat every other day.
The bigger question is, what is meal prep and how can you make this lifestyle your new best friend?
According to healthline, meal prep or meal preparation is the concept of preparing whole meals or dishes ahead of schedule. This means that it’s easier to keep track of healthy eating while saving time in the kitchen.
Meal prep includes ready-made-meals cooked in single portions, separating ingredients so that you can quickly throw them together and cooking in bulk to freeze and use later.
If you are someone who gets up early to go to work or usually grabs a quick takeaway with your buddies during lunchtime, then preparing your meals in advance can really benefit you.
So what are the benefits of meal prep?
- Avoids wasting food by only shopping for what’s on your grocery list.
- Saves valuable time by not having to rush home to still make something to eat.
- Meets your fitness goals by fuelling your body after a workout.
- You can control the portion sizes, meaning that you can measure exactly how much you’ll consume each day.
- Avoids stressful decision-making on what to eat for breakfast, lunch or supper.
How to get started:
- Make space in your freezer to stock your meals.
- Purchase quality, airtight containers that are safe to be used in the freezer.
- Plan your meals (and recipes) in advance for breakfast, lunch and supper – there’s nothing wrong with eating the same meal for two consecutive days.
- Write down a list of ingredients you’ll need to buy and stick to it.
- Make time to meal prep. For example, allocate a few hours on a Sunday to cook all your meals in advance to store for later.
- Start small – you could start with only preparing supper and gradually increase the load.
- Eventually invest in a slow cooker, airfryer, or blender to make cooking easier.
What are some of the best meals to prepare?
- Stir-fry
- Soup
- Spaghetti
- Rice bowls
- Instant oats
Side note: Try adding labels to your containers as a reminder of when you’ve prepared your meals. You can cook certain meals in advance for three to five days so make sure to always read the packaging.