5 Steps to Make Meal Prep a Breeze

To be honest this is something that I am generally not consistent in. Therefore, this was not a planned post but more of something I was putting together for my personal benefit and in the process I thought, ‘I’m sure there are plenty other people out there who struggle with this daily’. So without further delay, below are 5 top tips that I am going to put into practice moving forward. Feel free to give them a go and let me know in the comments section if any work for you or if there are any others you would add to the list.

1 – Get organized

Organization is a key component to any successful meal plan. An organized kitchen, pantry, and refrigerator make everything from menu creation, grocery shopping, and meal prep much easier. There’s no right or wrong way to organize your space – Just make sure it’s a system that works for you.

2 – Consistently make time

The best way to integrate a meal planning routine into your lifestyle is to make it a priority. I find that regularly setting aside a block of time that is dedicated to planning helps. 

3 – Consider each food group

Whether you’re preparing meals for a week, month, or just a few days, it’s important to make sure each food group is represented in your plan. The healthiest meal plan emphasizes whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, high-quality protein and healthy fats, while limiting sources of refined grains, added sugars, and excess salt. As you scour through your favorite recipes, think about each of these food groups. If any of them are missing, make a point to fill in the gaps.

4 – Always head to the grocery store armed with a list (or shop online)

Going to the grocery store without a shopping list is a good way to waste time and end up buying a lot of things you don’t need. Having a list definitely helps me stay focused and fight the temptation to buy food I don’t have a plan to use just because it’s on sale or through pure temptation. ✍️📄

On those super busy weeks when I know I am not going to have the time to get to the grocery store I also take advantage of instacart. I love that I can shop online and then get everything delivered to my house on a designated day and time. (Note: That they do charge a small fee for services, but they can be a great tool for saving time).

5 – Pre-portion your meals

Ensuring that you divide your meals into individual containers is an excellent meal prep strategy, especially if you’re trying to consume a specific amount of food.

I find that this particularly helps me in tracking my calories and marco intake. It’s also a great strategy in if you are wanting to loose some weight loss or even just getting ahead when you’re short on time.

Generally what I do is prepare a large meal that contains at least 4–6 servings, then portion each serving into an individual container and store them in the refrigerator or freezer. Its like having the convenience of frozen microwave meals but you know exactly what is in them.