Food Prep In 5 Steps!

Food prepping is a powerful tool to help you stay on track with your nutrition goals. It saves time, reduces stress, and ensures that you have healthy meals ready to go throughout the week. The key to successful food prepping is planning and organizing your meals in advance, so you’re never left scrambling for something healthy to eat. Whether you’re new to food prep or looking to refine your process, following a few simple steps can make all the difference.

5 Simple Steps for Food Prepping:

1. Plan Your Meals: Start by deciding what you want to eat for the week. Consider breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Choose recipes that are easy to prepare and can be made in bulk.

2. Make a Shopping List: Once your meals are planned, make a list of all the ingredients you’ll need. This ensures you have everything on hand and helps you avoid unnecessary trips to the store.

3. Set Aside Time to Prep: Pick a day that works best for you to dedicate to food prep. Sunday is a popular choice, but any day will work as long as you can devote a couple of hours to prepping.

4. Cook and Portion: Prepare your meals in batches. Cook larger portions of proteins, grains, and vegetables, then divide them into individual containers for easy grab-and-go meals throughout the week.

5. Store and Label: Proper storage is key to keeping your food fresh. Use airtight containers and label them with the contents and the date they were prepared. Store meals in the fridge or freezer depending on when you plan to eat them.

Basic Prep Ideas:

• Grains: Cook a large batch of brown rice, quinoa, or whole wheat pasta to pair with different proteins and veggies throughout the week.

• Proteins: Grill or bake chicken breasts, turkey burgers, or tofu. You can also prep hard-boiled eggs or cook ground meat for quick and easy protein options.

• Vegetables: Roast a variety of vegetables like sweet potatoes, broccoli, and bell peppers, or keep fresh salad greens ready to go.

• Snacks: Pre-cut fruits and veggies, portion out nuts, or prepare homemade energy balls for quick and healthy snacks.

• Overnight Oats: Prepare several jars of overnight oats with different toppings like berries, nuts, and seeds for easy, nutritious breakfasts.

Customize Your Prep:

You can tailor your food prep to suit your preferences and lifestyle. I prefer prepping meals 3 to 4 days in advance, as I find that it keeps everything fresh and appealing. However, if you know that weekends are when you’re most likely to slip, consider prepping for the whole week or splitting your prep into two sessions, such as Sunday and Wednesday. The key is finding what works best for you, whether that’s prepping for a few days at a time or a full week. There are so many options, so choose what fits your lifestyle and helps you stay consistent!