6 Ways to Make Meal Prep Easier
Do you find meal prepping daunting? Most people do.
It might feel like you need to spend hours on Sunday meal prepping all your food for the week ahead, but that’s not true.
Meal prepping does take some work. It also can save you SO much time, money, energy, and stress during the week (speaking from experience!)
Read below for six simple tips to make meal prep easier for you!
1. Look At Meal Prepping As A Meal Plan
Meal prepping doesn’t have to include making all of your meals for the week at one time (I mean, who has time for that?)
Instead, think of meal prepping as meal PLANNING.
When I do my meal planning I focus on the 1-2-3 method.
One option for breakfast: such as an egg bake, avocado toast with hard boiled eggs, or smoothies
Two options for lunches: such as salads topped with a protein, chili, or chicken salad with veggies
Three options for dinners: such as tacos, Salmon Cakes, or Egg Roll Bowls
2. Keep it Simple with PFF
Your meals don’t have to take a lot of time to cook or prepare, nor do they need to be Instagram-worthy.
As long as your meal is balanced and incorporate a balance protein, fibrous carbs and nourishing fat (PFF), you’ll have plenty of fuel to get you through your day.
Here is a quick guide to help you build your meals:
- Start with your protein: such as cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, eggs, beef, rotisserie chicken, or fish
- Add some fibrous fruits and/or veggies: such as sliced bell peppers, carrots, cucumbers, salad greens, berries, or sliced apples
- Add some nourishing fat: including nuts, avocado slices, nut butter or cooking oils like avocado or coconut oil
3. Make Meals Using Similar Ingredients
When putting together your recipes for the week, try to choose meals that use similar ingredients. This will help prevent food waste, keep your grocery bill smaller, and make your shopping trips easier. It will also cut down on the amount of food you’ll have to store at home.
For example, if you know you’ll be making tacos, you’ll be buying greens, peppers, and avocados for them. The extra produce you have left over from the tacos can be used in another meal, like stir fry or salads in a jar.
4. Always Have a Protein on Hand
I talk a lot about building a balanced plate that includes protein, fat, and fibrous carbs.
Protein is the macronutrient most women are lacking in, and also the one that takes the most planning.
I always prioritize having a protein on hand so I can easily build my meals and snacks around it.
Some examples of simple protein sources include: hard-boiled eggs, nitrate-free jerky, rotisserie chicken, nitrate-free deli meat, greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and canned tuna or salmon.
When you prioritize having sources of protein available, it will be easier to get enough protein in during the day.
Here are a few examples:
- You can use hard-boiled eggs for a protein in the morning, as a topping on a salad, or as a protein source for your snacks
- A rotisserie chicken can be shredded for a chicken salad at lunch or as a protein source on top of Broccoli Salad
- You can add Greek yogurt to your morning smoothie or have it with raspberries and walnuts for a balanced snack
- You can use canned salmon for a quick protein in a wrap, or in these Salmon Patties
5. Eat Seasonally
Shopping for produce that’s in season is the best way to get a variety of fruits and veggies, and to prevent boredom in your meals.
For example, berries are in season in the summer months, and squash is in season in the fall.
Plus, in-season produce is typically at its highest nutritional peak, tastes the best, and is cheaper to buy.
If there’s produce that’s not in season that you like, opt for frozen varieties. Not all produce has to be fresh!
6. Keep A Meal Journal
It’s easy to get into a routine of making the same meals all the time.
That’s why keeping a meal journal is a helpful way to track what meals you and your family like.
I don’t know if you’re like me, but there have definitely been times I’ve made a delicious recipe and then totally forgot about it months later.
So keeping track of the recipes you like is key!
You can do this by writing down the recipes in a notebook, using an Excel spreadsheet, or the note app on your phone to help you keep track.
Add A Comment