Do you never get enough time to cook? Do you find yourself rushing through meals or turning to unhealthy takeout more times that you would like to admit? Then meal prepping is exactly what you need. Meal prep is the act of setting up the ingredients of a meal before you plan to eat it. This strategy gives you an early advantage on the week, and also ensures you get to eat quicker and healthier meals.

Decide the menu

It's important to make a weekly menu plan before you start meal prepping. Think about your dietary needs, health goals, and any dietary limitations you might have while arranging the meals you might want to eat. After you have your menu prepared, make a detailed shopping list to ensure that you have all the necessary ingredients.

Prepping is key

The stage of preparation is the key to successful meal preparation. Make a set day or time each week for your meal preparation session. First, clean, chop, and prepare your vegetables. This will not only make it simpler for you to incorporate all of your dietary needs into your meals, but it will also save you time during the week. Make a batch of rice or roti in the same way to use as a base for other dishes. Also, you can batch cook fish, meat, and vegetables in large amounts and sort them out for the week.

Store your food

This step requires the use of high-quality food storage containers that are microwave and freezer safe. Try to incorporate different items, like protein, grains, and vegetables, in your meals by dividing them into individual holders. Not only will portion control help you control your calorie count, but it will also be easier to eat your meals on time. Label your containers with the dish's name and the date it was made to keep track of how fresh it is.

Mix and match

Let your creativity flow when it comes to meal prepping. To make your meals more different, use various dressings, flavours, and spices. This way, you won't get bored with the same flavours over and over again, and your tastebuds will thank you.

Be Organised

Staying organised will help you seamlessly incorporate meal preparation into your daily routine. Keep your storage space and fridge stacked with all the essentials like meat, vegetables etc. Take your time while cooking, as rushing might cost you getting stuck with a bad batch of meals for the whole week.

The ultimate reward of meal prep is the time and stress it saves you throughout the week. You'll have more time for yourself, your family, and hobbies if you plan and prepare meals in advance for a few hours. It also allows you to have control over your food intake, making it easier to stay healthy.