5 Tips to Make Meal Prepping Easier
By Ashley Chapman
Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet is the biggest battle of maintaining your goal weight. While working out is important, finding the best ways to eat healthy can be half the battle. If you are someone who struggles with making the time to cook on a daily basis, meal prepping can make things a lot easier. Here are five tips on how to meal prep.
Make a List
Similar to when you go to the grocery store, it is easier to find what you need when you make a list. Meal prepping can be a daunting task but first writing down what you want to eat for the week can make it easier. It is important to write down in categories such as protein, carbohydrates and fats. Then write down what you enjoy eating in each category.
Some food options you can include in your list:
- Protein - Tofu, chicken, fish
- Carbohydrates - Brown rice, quinoa, vegetables
- Fats - Avocado, boiled eggs, nuts
Stock up on Essentials
When it comes to grocery shopping, there are certain options you may want to buy fresh. However, there are options for buying canned or frozen. This allows you to buy in bulk and save money. Items such as vegetables (corn, green beans and spinach) and carbohydrates (rice) can be purchased in larger quantities or in cans, so that you do not have to buy them as often.
Pre-Packaged Foods
To help save time, try to buy foods that you do not have to spend time preparing beforehand. Foods such as beans, cold cuts, and pre-sliced vegetables can be bought ready to eat. The downside to pre-packed and pre-sliced items is they tend to be more expensive. So it is best to buy these in small quantities.
Slow Cooker
Investing in a slow cooker is a game changer, especially for those who have larger families. This is a great way to feed many people or to take a shortcut in your meal prepping. Meals such as chili and stew almost create themselves while you focus on other errands that you may need to run. Investing in a cookbook would also be beneficial so that you can create a variety of meals.
Food Containers
Choosing the best containers for your food is essential. There are many different styles and brands to choose from, but choosing a container that is glass will last you the longest. Plastic containers have a tendency to stain and change shape over time. Using a glass container allows you to be able to use them longer and you can still heat them up in the microwave.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Parma, Ohio.