HOW TO PREP YOUR MEALS.

Meal prepping is the concept of preparing whole meals or dishes ahead of schedule.

It’s particularly popular amongst busy people because it can save a lot of time.

Having pre-prepared meals on hand can also reduce portion size and help you reach your nutrition goals. This way, you’ll avoid unhealthy options like TV dinners or takeout, especially when you’re overwhelmed or exhausted.

And since it requires you to determine what to eat ahead of time, meal prepping can lead to more nutritious meal choices over the long term.

Despite what people may think, there are various ways to meal prep – not all of which involve spending a whole Sunday afternoon cooking dishes for the week to come. You can choose methods that work best for you.

You may think that cooking meals for the week ahead will consume a big chunk of your weekend.

However, because there are various ways to meal prep, you don’t have to stand in the kitchen for an entire Sunday afternoon. Everyone can find a suitable meal preparation style.

The most popular ways to meal-prep include:

Make-ahead meals: Full meals cooked in advance which can be refrigerated and reheated at mealtimes. This is particularly handy for dinnertime meals.

Batch cooking: Making large batches of a specific recipe, then splitting it into individual portions to be frozen and eaten over the next few months. These make for popular warm lunch or dinner options.

Individually portioned meals: Preparing fresh meals and portioning them into individual grab-and-go portions to be refrigerated and eaten over the next few days. This is particularly handy for quick lunches.

Ready-to-cook ingredients: Prepping the ingredients required for specific meals ahead of time as a way to cut down on cooking time in the kitchen.

The method that will work best for you depends on your goals and daily routine.

For instance, make-ahead breakfasts might work best if you’re looking to streamline your morning routine. On the other hand, keeping batch-cooked meals in your freezer is particularly handy for those who have limited time in the evenings.

Prepping a week’s worth of meals can sound daunting, especially for first-timers. But it doesn’t have to be hard.

Below, you’ll find a simple step-by-step guide to streamline your meal prepping process.

1 Select your meal prep method of choice: This can also be a combination of methods and should be based on your lifestyle and nutrition goals.

2 Stick to a schedule: Pick one day each week to do your meal planning, shop for groceries and cook.

3 Pick the right number of meals: Bear in mind your calendar and the restaurant meals you’ve planned for the week.

4 Select the right recipes: Keep an eye out for variety and preparation methods. When starting out, stick to recipes you already know.

5 Reduce the time you spend on grocery shopping: Make a grocery list organized by supermarket departments or shop for groceries online.

6 Spend less time in the kitchen: Choose which meals to cook first based on cook times.

7 Store your meals: Use safe cooling methods and appropriate containers. Refrigerate meals you’re planning to eat within 3 – 4 days, then label and freeze the rest.

In the end experiment and choose what works best for you.