Happy Monday! Hope you had a great weekend. If you hit the ground running today, like, “OMG how the eff am I going to do this functional adult thing” then you’ve come to the right place.
I’ve found meal prep to be a major time- and money-saver. Growing up, my mom used to do a lot of pre-cooking before she went to work in the morning or on weekends, so I think it must have worn off on me. I started to rely on it back when I was a dietetic intern busting my butt in the hospital and then when I was working my first clinical job and trying to finish my Masters with my sanity intact.
Meal prep doesn’t have to be a Sunday thing—I know lots of you guys have unconventional schedules just like I do!I often find myself doing a little prep on Saturday and then squeezing in another on Tuesday. Before work on Mondays and Wednesday mornings are some other times I might fit it in, depending on the week. Whatever works!
I recently wrote a post on How To Meal Prep Like A Pro for Six Degrees Society. I’ve shared some basics below, but the full post is packed with tips and tricks and meal and snack ideas. Happy prepping!
Photo Courtesy of Katie Smith via Unsplash
Meal Planning Basics
Get Clear On Your Why
Tuning in to what you’re hoping to accomplish with your meal prep will help you figure out where to devote the most energy.
Plan It Out
Write out a list or make a calendar of the foods you need—and want—to make for the days ahead. This helps you build a shopping list and figure out how much time you’ll need to do the actual cooking and prepping.
Make A Date
Set aside enough time to plan, shop, and prep. Give yourself a little more time than you think you’ll need, especially if you’re new to meal prepping. If you’re feeling intimidated or feeling annoyed to have a task to do, try reframing it as something nice you’re doing for yourself. Getting a pal or a partner in on it can make it more fun too.
Cover Your Food Group Bases:
Turning your fridge into an at-home version of a gorgeous salad or hot food bar allows you to assemble healthy meals and snacks from those pre-prepped ingredients instead of cooking from scratch at every meal. Aim for a variety of foods from the different food groups so you have a balance of the nutrients you need. Aim for a combination of:
- Protein
- Veggies
- Carbs (what “counts” as a carb serving, if you’re curious)
- Healthy Fats
There’s No Shame In Shortcuts
Pre-cut vegetables can save precious time, and frozen fruits and veggies can save you loads of time and money. I use them all the time! This plate of deliciousness below was made from meal-prepped items: farro, leftover and frozen veggies (Trader Joe’s Misto alla Griglia, if you must know), and frozen wild Atlantic cod quick-thawed and baked. Not too shabby, eh?
For the full-how to and a handful of delicious meal and snack ideas, check out the full article: How To Meal Prep Like A Pro
Do you ever prep meals ahead of time? What are your go-to foods for busy weeks?
**This post may contain affiliate links.