Meal Prep to Lose Weight
By Rachel Carver
Many of us set weight loss goals. It sounds easy, but following through can sometimes be harder than it looks.
Prepping your meals can keep you on track. The thought of spending hours on a weekend cooking meals for the upcoming week might seem overwhelming. However, finding ways to simplify the process will make it easier and enjoyable.
Here are some tips to become a successful meal prepper.
Plan Your Meals
It will be hard to prep anything if you do not know what you want to eat. Make a list of the meals you want to make before you hit the grocery store. Leave some flexibility in your week. Maybe you prep four lunches, leaving one open for leftovers or something else you crave. You can also pick up some protein on sale or fun produce at the store to mix things up.
Plan Your Shortcuts
Meal prepping does not mean you have to do everything yourself. If cutting and washing every vegetable seems daunting, pick up bags of prepared broccoli, zucchini, or other fresh produce items you enjoy. Grains such as rice and quinoa can be purchased from a shelf or the frozen section, which means they just need to be heated up before use. Use pre-cooked meat such as chicken to save time.
Prep Once
When you start your meal prep, think about items that can be prepared together. If you take out your cutting board, cut multiple vegetables such as broccoli and cucumbers in one session to save time. Cook extra quinoa so you have another meal ready later in the week.
Avoid Prepping Without Motivation
Some people do well designating each Sunday as a meal prep day. But maybe the idea of spending a weekend afternoon in the kitchen makes you cringe. It is more about what you do instead of when you do it. Maybe you would rather cook extra food while making dinner on Monday. Or maybe your trip to the grocery store gets delayed so you grab a frozen meal for lunch. Even making a quick overnight oat breakfast the night before a busy meeting day or putting leftovers into a container for the next day counts.
Make Changes
Falling back on the same recipes can lead to boredom and frustration. Let yourself change the plan if you find an appetizing recipe online or appealing sale item at the store. If a friend wants to bring over tie food, don't feel guilty. Creating flexibility and excitement around food will help you adopt a healthy lifestyle and keep you on track with your weight loss goals.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Nampa, Idaho.