Meal Prepping for Success

What comes to mind when you think of meal prepping? For some, their minds may turn to a big Sunday meal prep session that involves making the same meal to eat every day of the week. While this type of meal prepping may work for some, it’s certainly not the only kind of meal prepping out there! Meal prepping can be done in a way where you have lots of variety and enjoy your meals, and we’re here to show you how!

1. Ingredient prepping

Do you ever feel overwhelmed when you’re about to cook a meal with all the different steps and the amount of time it takes? Sometimes there may be just one part of a recipe that discourages you from making it. This is where ingredient prepping can make a big difference. It’s an excellent way to save yourself time, perhaps on the most tedious step of a recipe! Maybe it’s roasting or chopping vegetables ahead of time, cooking a grain like brown rice because it can take a longer time, or marinating the chicken ahead of time. Ask yourself: what steps do you find the hardest?

2. Batch cooking

Batch cooking a recipe is another way to meal prep and save yourself time. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to eat it every day, but rather for a few meals during the week. Try not to overcomplicate it either. Choose simple meals with minimal ingredients and choose meals that you will look forward to and will actually want to eat! We have plenty of work-friendly recipes on our website if you’re in need of some inspiration.

3. Meal kit services

Meal kits can be a great tool to save you time, whether you choose to use them for certain meals, certain days, or even just during busy periods. These services can take out the planning and shopping components, and there are a number of different kinds available to suit your goals, such as the plant-based meals from Soulara or low calorie options from Dinnerly. While the cost can add up, you may find that they’re useful for busy periods and may save you money if the alternative is ordering takeout frequently. Additionally, you may find that meal kits help provide you with meal inspiration, and/or help you build healthy habits around food.

4. Frozen meals

Frozen meals are fully prepared, meaning there’s no cooking required. Similar to the meal kits, they can be quite handy if you know you’re going to have minimal time to cook a meal, although they can be more expensive. When choosing a frozen meal, watch out for sodium, check that the meal contains a protein source, and that it contains plenty of vegetables for a healthier option. You can use the 100g column to compare products. Tip: Add your own frozen or steamed vegetables to increase the volume of a meal and give the visual illusion that the meal is bigger while keeping the calories low.

A Final Word

Meal prepping doesn’t need to be difficult, and can help you stick to your healthy eating goals! Remember: Slow progress is still progress, and it’s important to stay consistent to build a habit. For example, if you’re currently buying your lunch out every day, start with prepping for 1 or 2 days a week, rather than aiming to prep a meal for every single day which may end up being overwhelming! Consider your current habits, lifestyle, budget, and preferences, and choose a type of meal prepping that works best for you. You’ve got this!