Meal Prep Efficiently With These Tips
By Rachel Carver
Meal prepping can help adults answer the question of the day: What's for dinner? It can save time and keep you on track with your weight loss goals.
It can be easy to become overwhelmed by the process when you start. But you do not have to prepare for each meal. Setting some goals and creating a flexible plan will help you succeed.
Become an efficient meal prepper with these tips.
Create a Meal Plan
Select your meals for the week. Knowing what ingredients you need to gather and having defined meals to prepare will keep you organized. Look at your weekly calendar. Determine the meals you want to prepare in advance, how much daily cooking time you have, and your nutrition goals for each meal.
Maybe you want breakfast items such as boiled eggs and yogurt ready to consume after your morning workout. You can cook meals and separate them into single-serving containers for lunches during busy afternoons. And you can end your day with a dinner packed with veggies, lean protein, and whole grains that will satisfy you until the next morning.
Invest in Your Equipment
You need proper equipment for success. Every meal prepper should have a sharp knife, proper storage containers, and a set of cutting boards. A slow cooker and a Dutch oven can also be very useful.
Organize your fridge with baskets and bins. Store soups, salad dressings, and pre-cut veggies in glass Mason jars with lids.
Create Some Space
Organizing your fridge and freezer to make room for a week's worth of meals might take some creativity. Meal planning helps. Only buy what you need for the week. This will decrease clutter and save money. Clean the fridge before you start to get rid of expired or spoiled food.
Measure Portions
Meal prepping allows you to portion your food in advance. This saves time when you are busy and can also prevent overeating. Create proper portions with measuring cups and spoons. Use a food scale with meat and fish for a visual of the appropriate protein size.
Start With Veggies
Focus on filling half of your plate with veggies. This will make you more creative in the kitchen and help you stick to your calorie goals.
You can prep a variety of salads in advance. Roasted veggies make great additions to grain bowls, fajitas, or tacos. Seasonal produce is also inexpensive and full of flavor.
Meal prepping can banish the mid-week anxiety of the rest of your meals. It might also give you some fresh ideas to expand your pallet and food interests.
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