3 Tips for Prepping Meals
By Genevieve Cunningham
You’ve definitely heard of meal prepping. In today’s world, this is a really popular idea among the health conscious. Even if you’ve never tried it, you’re familiar with the concept and probably know someone who meal preps or who has at least given it a try. But even though we’ve all heard of it, many of us are hesitant to give it a try. For some reason it seems like too much work, or we have a bit of trouble getting started. If you’re interested in making meal prepping a regular thing in your life, take a look at these tips to help you get started.
Make a Detailed List
The more detailed yor list of ingredients and meals, the easier it is to stay on track. Write down the meal idea, and then follow that with a list of everything you’ll need to accomplish it. This allows you to prepare -- by grocery shopping and cooking and chopping -- more thoroughly. Don’t be afraid to really get into the nitty gritty either. If your meal calls for a homemade dressing, write down every aspect. This keeps you from missing an ingredient or two and giving it up.
Don’t Prep Too Far in Advance
There’s no reason to prep a whole month in advance. Usually, a week is a good choice. But if you’re in the beginning stages, it’s OK to prep for a few days, too. There is no rule about how far ahead you have to prep. Do what’s comfortable and what works for you. Ultimately, whatever length of time helps you stick with it is that you should do.
Don’t Get Fancy
These meals don’t have to be complicated. Sure, you want to look professional. You want to put healthy meals in a cute containers that line up perfectly in your refrigerator. You want to look and feel impressive. And while you might eventually look like this, don’t make it your goal in the beginning. Just worry about getting it done! Even if it’s messy and unorganized, just get it done. As you get better at meal prepping, you can strive for efficiency and aesthetically appealing presentations.
Meal prepping can work. It can help you eat healthier and stay on track. It can help you with organization and a long-term healthy diet. But don’t make it too complicated. Use these tips to keep it simple, and you may be able to form a healthy habit to last a lifetime.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Asheville, N.C.