As a nutritional therapist, I see firsthand the challenges people face in maintaining a healthy diet. Time constraints, budget limitations, and the constant tug of convenience foods can all sabotage even the best intentions. Meal prepping can help you overcome these hurdles but there are some additional considerations.
Firstly, meal prepping involves planning, preparing, and portioning your meals in advance. It's a game-changer for busy individuals and families. Some of the benefits include that it helps you save time - no more scrambling about every day, wondering what to cook. You'll have healthy, delicious meals ready to grab and go, eliminating the stress of last-minute decisions. Meal prepping allows you to buy ingredients in bulk, which is often cheaper than buying smaller quantities throughout the week. Additionally, you'll be less tempted by takeout or unhealthy restaurant meals. Prepping meals in individual portions helps you avoid overeating too. You'll know exactly how much you're consuming, making it easier to stick to your goals.
However, one common concern with meal prep is that the food won't be as fresh as if prepared daily. This can be easily addressed with batch cooking and freezing straight away. Also, batch cooking doesn't have to be a big event - you can simply double or triple your recipes. This allows you to prepare several meals at once. You can enjoy some fresh and then freeze the rest for another day. Freezing halts bacterial growth, allowing you to safely store meals for longer periods.
Freeze prepped meals in airtight containers or freezer bags. Label them with the date to ensure you're consuming them within a safe time frame. Generally, cooked meals remain safe in the freezer for 3-4 months.
Otherwise, meals prepared for the week can be stored in the refrigerator. However, remember, the quality deteriorates over time. Consume meals within 3 days for optimal freshness and taste. Also, while microwaves are convenient, reheating meals on the stovetop is a better option for nutrient preservation. Microwaves can create uneven heating and destroy some heat-sensitive nutrients.
Meal prepping is a useful tool I get my clients to adopt to help them take control of their health. It allows them to prioritise healthy eating habits while saving valuable time and money.Â
What you may need to meal prep:
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