Meal prepping is an effective way to stay on track with a healthy diet. But it can be difficult to know where to start. Fortunately, experts have been doing it for years and have boiled it down to one science: make a plan and a preparation schedule. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Organize your pantry and keep track of what you have and what you need. Cycle your menu and vary your meals to ensure that you're getting a variety of nutrients. Buy seasonal products, and don't be afraid of frozen ones - they can be just as nutritious as fresh. Focus on eating whole, nutrient-rich foods, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans, and fish. Fill your refrigerator and cabinets with healthy foods suitable for preparing meals and make a plan to prepare them into healthy meals and snacks. Research shows that meal planning can have several health benefits, including better diet quality and maintaining a healthy weight.
Meal preparation helps control weight by providing you with predetermined serving sizes to prevent you from overeating. Invest in high-quality food storage containers. Plan your meals to eat from all five food groups (fruits, vegetables, cereals, protein foods, and fortified dairy or soy products) every day. Meal preparation is a great tool because it allows you to enjoy a nutrient-rich diet that fits your individual preferences. Go to the grocery store a day or two before meal prep day to have everything you need to prepare healthy meals for the next week. Slow cookers are great because you can throw all the ingredients into the pot in the morning before you go to work, and the appliance will heat everything up throughout the day. Meal preparation can save you time, reduce mealtime stress, help improve the quality of your diet, and help you achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
Preparing meals simply means preparing or batching meals, snacks, or ingredients in advance to facilitate healthy eating during the busiest of days. Meal preparation is beneficial for anyone who wants to lose, gain, or maintain weight. Start by making breakfast instead of grabbing a donut and coffee on your way to work. Adding sources of fiber and healthy fats to meals can also help ensure that meals are filling, tasty, and contain a variety of nutrients. Be wary of generic meal plans that are available on the Internet or offered by trainers and nutritionists with a set calorie limit - especially if they are rigid and provide less than 1500 calories per day. In addition to saving time, preparing meals can save money by keeping you from eating out so often and by providing you with a fixed shopping list so that you don't buy food unnecessarily. Preparing meals can be as simple as storing extra pre-cooked foods in the freezer and defrosting them when needed. While any type of meal preparation requires planning, there is no right method as it can differ depending on dietary preferences, ability to cook, schedules, and personal goals.
If you've spent any time searching the Internet for tips on healthy eating or following social media accounts focused on fitness, you've probably heard of meal preparation.
