My Tips on a Successful Meal Prep and Weight Loss Strategy
by: Hollywood Wil
Hey did you know 37 minutes is the average time adults spend on food preparation?
Most struggle to find time to prepare food and do all the extra work involved. Maybe try bulk meal prep so you can get it all done and out of the way.
Meal prepping isn’t difficult but if you don’t know what you’re doing then it can be more challenging than it has to be. Below are some effective tips to make your prep more efficient
Benefits of Meal Prep
If you’re having a hard time figuring out how to lose weight, meal prepping could be the perfect solution. Here are some of the top benefits regular meal prepping offers:
Meal Prepping Saves Time
Many are turned off by meal prepping because it seems way too time-consuming. But if you think about it, time will be saved in the long run.
What if, instead of spending 30-plus minutes in the kitchen every evening after a long day of work, you could just reheat some food that you’ve already cooked? This allows you to get dinner on the table right away. This is especially beneficial if you have busy evenings such as kids’ sports or working late.
Meal Prep Saves Money
During these covid times how much money do you spend every week on fast food and carry-out from restaurants? Well if you’re like most people, there’s a good chance that number is crazy high..
If you’re tired of spending your hard-earned money on take out food then meal prep is the way to go. You could prepare at home for a fraction of the cost because you are buying in bulk. Nothing wrong with making that dollar stretch while eating fresh and healthy at the same time.
Reduce Food Waste
The average American throws out approximately $640 worth of food per year. When you meal prep, you cut down on the amount of food that you throw out. This helps you save money and reduce your carbon footprint since you’re not putting as much waste into landfills.
Stick to Your Diet
Trust me I have definitely been there. We start a new diet with high hopes and great intentions. We do well for a few days (or maybe even a few weeks). Then, our work schedule ramps up, our kids pick up a new activity that requires extra drop-offs and pick-ups, and before we know it, we’re rolling into the drive-through because we don’t have time or energy to prepare our special keto/vegan food.
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When you commit to regular meal prep, you always have food on-hand that aligns with your specific dietary needs. This makes it easier to stick to your diet and see great results from it.
My Best Tips for Meal Prep
Okay, you’re convinced that meal prepping is right for you and your family. How do you meal prep effectively, though? Here are some tips to help you get started and ensure your food tastes good:
Make it a Family Affair if Possible
My kids and I tear our kitchen up when meal prepping. But you know what? It’s something new and it is a chance for some quality family time. Especially if your kids play sports and or you are always working late.
Create a Meal Calendar
The key to effective meal preparation is, well, preparation. You can’t wing this and hope for the best. Trust me, I’ve tried, several times over 😑
Take some time out, sit down and create a meal calendar for the week (or even the month if you want to be extra ambitious). That way, you’ll know exactly what you want to eat and when. I always get excited thinking ahead and day dreaming about meals but ok I get it not everyone is as weird as I am.
Write Out a Shopping List
Ok now that you have your meal calendar figured out, write out a shopping list for the week. Take a look in the fridge, freezer, and pantry first to see what you already have on hand (this also helps you to cut costs). Then, write down everything you need and head to the store to stock up. Again not everyone is as weird as me but I absolutely love grocery shopping..
Schedule Your Shopping and Meal Prep Days
Pick a day that’s feasible for grocery shopping and meal prep. For most that’s either a Saturday or Sunday. For me it’s a Friday morning because my store puts out yesterday’s meat deals at like 50% off.
If you have some flexibility in your schedule, though, you may want to choose a different day when the stores are less crowded or you have more time to spend in the kitchen cooking. There’s no right or wrong day here. Find one that works for you.
Use Quality Containers
Dividing food into separate containers can help you manage portion sizes and avoid overeating. Look for high-quality, durable containers that can be microwaved and washed in the dishwasher. There are always sales on Amazon where you can get up to 100 piece sets for pennies.
Many people prefer glass containers because they last longer than plastic. However, glass can also be bulky and take up a lot of room in the refrigerator, so this might not be practical if you’re prepping for a lot of people.
Add Citrus Juice
Adding fresh lemon or lime juice to your food right before eating is a great way to freshen it up and boost the flavor. Keep some lemons or limes on hand so you can slice one and squeeze some juice to top off your dish. This also helps with weight loss.
Store Sauces and Dressings Separately
Avoid adding sauces or dressings to your meals ahead of time. Make them separately and then add them when serving the food.
This helps you to prevent food from getting soggy or slimy (in the case of salad greens). It also gives you a chance to switch up flavors to prevent boredom. For example, if you make pasta and then two different sauces, you can alternate between the two so you don’t get sick of one before the pasta runs out.
Don’t Microwave Fish
If you’re meal prepping fish, try to avoid prepping it more than one day in advance. Remember, fish doesn’t keep very long in the fridge.
When you get ready to serve it, heat it in the oven or a frying pan, too. Microwaving fish is a recipe for disaster, whether you’re at home or in the breakroom at work. Your co-workers will hate you.
Start Meal Prepping Today
If you’ve had a hard time with dieting and weight loss, these tips for meal prepping can help. Give them a try today so you can save time, stick to your diet, and achieve your goals.
For those who need extra help losing weight, or still unsure where to start then I have another option for you. Everything can be planned and written out for you. From calendars to shopping lists and more. For more info on this just click HERE to watch a short video explaining in detail.
WE ARE TAKING THIS JOURNEY TOGETHER..
Hollywood Wil
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