Meal prepping is one of the best things you can do for your health and your sanity. When you meal prep, you are taking control of your food destiny. You are ensuring that you will have healthy, nutritious meals all week long. Not only that but meal prepping can save you time and money. In this article, we will discuss the 7 benefits of meal prepping that will make you want to start doing it today.
What Is Meal Prep?
Meal prepping is provided by preparing and planning your foods ahead of time. This can be cooked in a range of ways. But the most common is to cook all of your meals for the week on Sunday. You can also meal prep by packing snacks and lunches for the week ahead. You can try a healthy meal prep delivery first to check how prepping meals works.
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7 Benefits of Meal Prepping
There are many perks why prepping meals is advantageous for you. Here are the top 7 reasons you should try it right away.
1. Saves Time
When you meal prep, you are preparing your meals in bulk. This means that you won’t have to spend time in the kitchen each day cooking. You can just grab and go!
This also applies to packing snacks and lunches. Everything is planned out ahead of time. So you will be less likely to reach for unhealthy options.
2. Saves Money
Prepping your meals ahead of time will save you money on groceries. By buying ingredients in bulk, you will get them at a discounted price. And by cooking all your meals at once, you will use up all the ingredients. So you won’t have to waste any food.
3. Helps You Stay on Track With Your Diet
If you are trying to follow a specific diet, meal prepping can be very helpful. By preparing all of your meals ahead of time, you know exactly what you are eating. So that way you can control your portions. This will help you stay on track with your diet goals.
4. More Nutritious Meals
You get more control over the ingredients that go into your meals. You can choose healthier options and pack in more nutrients this way. Prepped meals are also typically lower in sodium and sugar than restaurant or take-out meals.
5. Easier to Manage Weight
Meal prepping can help you lose or manage your weight. When you have all of your meals prepped and ready to go, it is easier to make healthy choices. You are less likely to order unhealthy food out when you have a meal prepared at home.
6. More Variety in Your Diet
Meal prepping allows for more variety in your diet. As you are preparing multiple different dishes. This prevents meal boredom. Prepping meals allows you to prepare food that fits with your diet plan.
If you meal prep, be sure to include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your meal plans. These foods are rich in beneficial minerals. These include Vitamin C, calcium, and potassium. They also contain fiber which is important for digestive health.
Fruits and veggies come in many different colors. So it should not be difficult to incorporate them into meal prepping. Aim for about five servings per day for optimal nutrition.
7. Lowers Stress Levels
Thinking of what to cook for dinner may be stressful. Prepping meals beforehand can help you avoid this issue. When you meal prep, you have already made your meal choices. This leaves less room for stress in the evening.
In addition, when you are stressed, your body releases cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that can lead to weight gain if it is released regularly. Meal prepping can help keep cortisol levels under control and promote healthy weight management.
Meal Prep Recipe Ideas
- Stew or soup: can be stored in a glass container and frozen for up to three months.
- Burrito bowls: these are best when served fresh, but can also be stored in the fridge for up to two days or frozen for up to one month.
- Roasted vegetables: store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
- Quinoa salad: will last for five days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How To Start Meal Prepping?
The first step is to make a meal plan. This will help you determine what meals you want to prepare and the ingredients you will need.
Once you have your meal plan, it’s time to shop for groceries. When shopping, focus on buying fresh produce and whole-food items. Try to avoid processed foods like sausages, lunch meat, etc.
The next step is to cook your meals. Many of the recipes can be cooked in advance and stored in the fridge or freezer. Be sure to mark all your containers with the date. So you know when they are no longer safe to eat.
Finally, pack up your meals and take them with you on the go. If you have a busy lifestyle, prepping meals is for you. Packing food ahead of time will save you a lot of time and money. It’s also a great way to stay on track with healthy eating habits.
2. How to Store Meal Prepped Food?
It’s important to know how long food can be stored safely in the fridge. Food lasts longer when kept at a temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. A good rule of thumb is to eat refrigerated foods within four days. Frozen meal prep items will keep for up to three months. If they are stored properly at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
If you aren’t sure about an item’s quality, throw it out. And it’s safer to make something new instead. Meals like soups or stews do not freeze well. So stick with meat-based dishes such as chicken breasts or ground beef.
When meal prepping, it’s important to use container sizes that will work for you. And don’t overfill containers. The food needs room to expand when frozen. Label all meal prep items with the date and name of the dish before freezing them.
Properly storing meal-prepped foods is key in keeping freshness. It helps avoid contamination or spoiling. Containers made from BPA-free plastic are safe for meal prepping purposes. Store them properly and use them within a month’s time frame after being cooked at high temperatures. This is relatable to stew or soup recipes.
The best containers are those made out of glass. Because they do not leach chemicals into your food when heated up on the stovetop or in the microwave. They are also safe to freeze meal-prepped items.
3. How Much Can You Safe When Meal Prepping?
The average cost of a meal out in the US is about $12. When you add in drinks, appetizers, and dessert, that number skyrockets. Preparing your own meals at home can easily bring that cost down to less than $50 per week for two people.
In addition to being more affordable, meal prepping can also help you save time. You don’t need to spend hours each day cooking dinner. You can spend just 30 minutes on Sunday preparing enough food for the entire week. That’s an extra three hours each week. You can use this time to relax, work on a side hustle, or spend time with your family.
Conclusion
When you meal prep correctly, it provides many health benefits. These include improved mental health, lowered stress levels, better digestive health, and more. We revealed 7 benefits of meal prepping that prove it’s worth trying.
While meal prepping makes life much easier, it does require some planning and preparation. But once you get the hang of meal prep cooking, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
