OK, I am not sure if it is the new thing to do but I BELIEVE it should be. Have you ever felt overwhelmed just at the sheer IDEA of meal prep days? Or maybe the fact of preparing 20 meals in one day just seems impossible. Yeah, I am exaggerating here but I know there are some disciplined people out there that can do it. I am not one of them and you don’t have to be either.
BUT what on earth do I mean when I say food prepping vs. meal prepping? This article shares what food prepping is, why we should do it, and exactly how to do it.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO?
Meal Prepping: Taking one day a week and cutting all your food, cooking large batches of rice or quinoa, preparing your protein of choice, and then preparing individual meals for the work week lunches and or dinners. Is it a fabulous system? YES! Absolutely! Is it overwhelming when you are just starting out to planning out your meals? YES!
Food Prepping: Taking aside an afternoon to cut your fruit and veggies for the week. Cooking rice so that is ready to warm up. Making cashew cream so that it is one less step to make for dinner during the busy week. Do you get where I am going with it? This process is saving you time during the week but allowing you to have freshly cooked meals with minimal prep.
WHY SHOULD WE FOOD PREP?
When it comes to healthy eating, preparation is the main key to success. If carrots are not chopped and prepared or easy to grab, the chances of us grabbing those vs. a piece of candy are not so great.
I am a Mom so I am going to use this example below but I am sure anyone can relate to this idea.
My youngest has a science club twice a week and it requires us to leave the house about 20 minutes earlier than normal days. To help ease the pain of frustration in the mornings, we plan ahead.
Clothes picked out
Lunches prepared
Water bottles ready to go
Backpacks are ready to go
By planning ahead we have a smooth morning with no yelling and arguing, we are on time and everyone is happy.
It is the same thing when it comes to prepping your food.
If you open up the fridge and find all your ingredients ready to go, you are more likely to eat a healthier balanced meal. Less frustration and a plan.
WHAT ARE SOME USEFUL TIPS ON HOW TO FOOD PREP?
So glad you asked.
1. Wash and cut your veggies as soon as you get home from the store.
To keep them from drying out, wet a paper towel and put it in the container with the produce.
AND this is where I hear people say, “But Leah, you loose nutritional value when you precut veggies”. Yes! You do! BUT if pre cutting your produce ahead of time means you will eat more, then PRE CUT YOUR PRODUCE. I prefer this to a handful of potato chips. OK, moving on…
2. Have some roasted veggies on hand for the week.
During Sunday night dinners, I cut extra veggies and get them ready to roast. As soon as we are ready to eat, in goes the tray of veggies into the oven. They cook while we eat. As soon as dinner is over, they are just about done. That means for lunches that week ahead, I can add roasted veggies to my salads or rice/quinoa bowls very easily. Which brings me to #3.
3. Cook one large batch of rice or quinoa, or both if you prefer.
Both warm up very easily and having these prepared is a huge time saver. You can do just about anything with them. Here is one example.
4. Have a simple plan.
Plan out your meals ahead with a menu tracker and know what veggies you will want cut ahead of time. No sense in prepping your Brussels sprouts if you are not eating them until next week.
5. Get pretty containers to store stuff in.
I don’t know about you, but if my fridge looks really well organized and ‘presentable’, I am going to find stuff easier and actually USE IT.
Would you add anything to this list?
Remember to keep things simple with a small manageable plan.
If you are on Pinterest, feel free to pin this image:
“…you are more likely to eat a healthier balanced meal” if you have ingredients prepped. Totally. Trying to make lunches and dinners during the week was impossible before I started food prepping. You are so right – I spent too many years of coming home exhausted and then reached for junk because the thought of another hour of chopping and cooking while we are hungry was too much. We use a lot of winter squash in my house (as a base/foundation) for many recipes/meals and I always have those precooked – no way I’ll be motivated during the week. Yes, rice and grains and all the veggies washed and chopped too. Food prep is DEFINATELY the way to eat more healthy! BUT, one has to find the right time in their schedule for it. For me it is early in the mornings and it has become a “me time,” a creative time, when I have space to think about the “craft” and “art” of the food I will make.
I love that Greg. Food is like art for sure! I would agree with you on finding the time that works best. I know for me, sometimes that time varies from week to week but it is important to find what suits you. Thank you for the comment.
These were great tips. Thank you. Still trying to get a hang of meal prepping but I certainly like the idea of food prepping. Will try it out and see how it goes
Awesome! I am so glad you found this helpful! Thank you for the comment 🙂
Ugh… I was doing so good prepping, planning and packing. But now, I’m off the wagon. And having a hard time getting back on. I’m reading some of your stuff to get me motivated again because I definitely feel a difference. Xx
Ahh, well the good news is you are here! Reach out to me if there is anything I can do!