New Year, New Food.
As the new year begins, many of us resolve to make healthier choices—and eating better is often at the top of the list. While it’s easy to feel motivated at first, maintaining a healthy relationship with food throughout the year can feel overwhelming. The secret? Meal prepping! This simple, time-saving habit can set you up for success and make eating healthier easier than ever.
What Is Meal Prepping?
Meal prepping is all about planning and preparing meals or ingredients ahead of time. Whether you fully cook meals for the week or just chop veggies and portion snacks, the goal is to save time and reduce the temptation of unhealthy options.
Why Meal Prep?
Saves Time: Spend a few hours prepping once a week instead of cooking every day. You don’t have to think about what to make each day because it is already prepped and ready to go.
Encourages Healthy Choices: When healthy meals are ready to go, it’s easier to avoid fast food or processed snacks.
Saves Money: Prepping meals at home is much more budget-friendly than eating out. On average, a home cooked meal costs $4-$6 per person and eating out costs $15+ per person.
Controlled Ingredients: You get to control exactly what goes into your food. This makes it so much easier to meet goals like protein intake or total sugars.
Simple Tips to Start Meal Prepping
Plan Your Menu: Start with a few simple, balanced meals you love. Think lean proteins, whole grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Choose a Prep Day: Set aside time each week to prepare your meals. Sundays or Mondays often work well for most people’s schedules.
Use Containers: Invest in reusable, portion-sized containers to keep your meals fresh and easy to grab. Glass storage containers make it easy to reheat and store your meals.
Cook in Batches: Make large portions of staples like roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, or quinoa to use in multiple meals.
Don’t Forget Snacks: Pre-portion healthy snacks like nuts, fruits, or yogurt to avoid reaching for less nutritious options.
Easy Meal Prep Ideas
Breakfast: Overnight oats, egg muffins, or smoothie packs ready to blend.
Lunch/Dinner: Stir-fries, grain bowls, or sheet pan meals with roasted veggies and protein.
Snacks: Cut-up veggies with hummus, trail mix, or hard-boiled eggs.
This year, make eating healthy a habit you can stick to. With a little planning and preparation, meal prep can save you time, money, and stress while keeping your diet on track. Once you get a taste of your meal prep routine, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to start. Cheers to a healthier, happier you in the new year!
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