You may have seen it on Instagram or Facebook – those athletes or hard-core gym addicts that line up all their tupperware full of meals on the counter, snap a pic, and hashtag it #MealPrepSunday or #Gainz or #FoodPrepGoals etc. You may think to yourself “Only Professional BodyBuilders or Cross-fit athletes have the time and drive to do that..” But you may be surprised how easy and beneficial it can be for you as well!! Thing is, you don’t have to prep 42 meals for the week like athletes that are eating 6 meals a day… simply prepping your hardest meal of the day (for most people that’s lunch) can set you on the right track to reach results you want!
Bust Your Excuses!
Excuse #1: I don’t have the time
Some people may say they don’t have hours to cook in the kitchen, but if you can set aside at least an hour, max 2 hours on a Saturday or Sunday to prep a few meals for the week ahead, it will actually help save you time in the long run. When you have to run out of the office for lunch and try to find a place to serve you within your time frame can lead to making bad lunch decisions because you’re trying to get something fast and on-the-go.
Excuse #2: I don’t know what to buy
Start grocery shopping with specific meals in mind. All the hard work of meal prep really goes into the planning, not the cooking. Look at your schedule for the week ahead and determine how many meals you’ll really need. Once you’ve decided how many meals, think about what you really enjoy eating. Then look up healthier versions of those dishes on pinterest or google. Try to make the recipes easier than normal so you don’t have to work too hard in the kitchen.
A few tips on choosing recipes – choose recipes that use the same ingredients so you could cook up a bunch of chicken for a few different recipes.
Try changing up the meats every other day while keeping the side dishes the same. For Example.. beef and brown rice one day, the next day chicken and brown rice. That way it’s less prep on the side dishes.
Excuse #3: I get distracted
Best way to make sure you get your meal prep done is to start cooking right after you shop! A lot of people go shopping full of ambition for their healthy meals, but then they just store all the ingredients in the fridge and go do something else. Often the food you bought then goes to waste and you start to dread any prep all together. Work efficiently by carving a time out of your schedule to shop, prep, cook, and store all at once!
Excuse #4: I don’t have a microwave at work
When youre planning you’re meals its important to consider your resources in your work environment – if you have a microwave – Great! You can bring just about anything in a microwave safe Tupperware containter… But if you don’t have a microwave there are plenty of other opetions out there such as cold salads, sandwiches, stir-fries, and simple finger foods.
At the end of the day, the best way to learn is by simply doing it! If you get a plan, a few containers, and a lunchbox or meal prep carrier to keep food cold, you’ve got what it takes to give “Meal Prep” a try! You may be surprised by your