When it comes to achieving your fitness goals – meal preparation is key to success, especially if your goal is weight loss, and if you are busy.
If you have been following any of the food plans I have developed here are some more tips on how to be more organised when it comes to preparing your meals.
Plan your weekly meals.
Some of the most important meal planning tips involve making sure you have time to prepare your food, and that the food is easy to make.
Some examples of these meals include:
- Leftovers: If there is a recipe you like, see if you can make enough for leftovers the next day. This will save you time and effort on busy days!
- Slow-cooker recipes: These are great because they do not require much prep (aside from throwing it all in together) and they cook while you are busy doing other things. Just set your slow cooker on low before work or school, add any spices or herbs required before leaving, then return home to a delicious meal!
- Oatmeal: This can be prepared overnight by simply adding boiling water when ready in the morning! It is also portable so no one has an excuse not to eat breakfast anymore!
Make a grocery list
Before you head out to the grocery store, make a list of all the ingredients you need and have on hand. This will help you avoid impulse purchases and keep your shopping trip organized. If possible, write down how you will be using each ingredient so that it feels like less work once you get home from the store. For example: “2 cups milk for smoothies” or “1/2 cup flour for pasta sauce.”
This way, if there are leftovers in your fridge at the end of the week (which there probably will not be), they can easily be incorporated into another recipe with minimal effort on your part!
Buy in bulk.
One of the best ways to save money is by buying in bulk. This is especially true when it comes to groceries and other food items that can be stored for a long time. The longer the shelf life, the better it is for your wallet.
When you buy in bulk, you will pay more per unit than if you bought just one item at a time. However, this extra cost will be spread out over multiple meals or snacks—and sometimes months—which means that it ends up being cheaper in the long run!
Dedicate a block of time for cooking.
If you have a busy schedule and want to save time, consider preparing food on the weekend or after work. This can be a great way to relax after a long week of work, as well as give you an opportunity to get your kids involved in meal prep.
If you have kids at home who like to help with cooking (or if they are old enough that it is safe for them to use sharp knives), this is another great option for family bonding time!
Put it together in an assembly line.
To make sure you are working quickly and efficiently, set up your kitchen so that it is easy to get around. I like to put my cutting board on a piece of furniture that sits at the right for your height (e.g. 5’9″) so it is comfortable to cut on top of. It’s helpful if this surface has drawers or shelves below to hold all my ingredients until they’re ready for use.
Another thing that helps me work fast is having the right tools available: if you have many knives at home because each has its own purpose in cooking. The size of your knife should match what you need it for; if you are chopping veggies or nuts, choose a small paring knife; if chopping chicken breasts into pieces or making grilled cheese sandwiches, grab a larger chef’s knife or serrated bread knife respectively! In addition, having just one cutting board makes life easier when preparing multiple dishes—don’t let yourself get overwhelmed by trying to keep track of everything!
In addition, when it comes to storing pre-made, do not store in the refrigerator for more than 3 days, plus do not store in the freezer for more than 3-6 months and not store in the freezer for more than 3 weeks.
Meal prep is the best way to save money and eat healthier
Meal prep is the best way to save money and eat healthier. It can be a time-consuming process, but if you’re organized, it will save you money in the long run.
To prepare meals ahead of time, all you need is a crockpot or slow cooker and some freezer bags. You can also use meal prep containers if needed. Just add fresh ingredients to these cookware items before tossing them into the oven or microwave for delicious results! Once the food has been cooked through, transfer it into containers for storage in your refrigerator or freezer until you’re ready to use them again later down the line (which usually isn’t too long).
These tips work well especially if you and your partner are working on a weight loss goal together, as everyone gets their own individualized portion size without having to worry and gets what they want/need at home instead of relying on outside sources such as restaurants which tend not only cost more money but might not always offer healthy choices either!
