Are you on and off with your Meal prep? Has it been consistently inconsistent at best? If you’re looking to eat healthier, save money, and develop a healthier eating habits, here are a few tips to help you stay consistent and stay healthy
Be a Planner
Humans are creatures of habit. Sundays and Wednesdays— those are my prep days. Scheduled in my calendar, with food option ideas to pick from, I know what I’m making and when I’m making it. Don’t fall into the trap of not knowing your prep days/times in advance then hoping to complete it “when you have time”.
The first step to successful meal prep is knowing your prep times and scheduling them in…
Coach
By the way, for those who don’t have time to prep– my one hour of prep saves me about 4 hours during the week not having to run in and out to go and pickup something when I’m hungry…
Be Fast & Keep it Simple
Even if you love to spend hours in the kitchen (and especially if you don’t) life is going to throw random events your way. If your meal prep is planned as a 3 hour time-slot, what’s great when your whole week goes according to plan with no surprises, but how often does that really happen?
Either keep it super simple to lower the time commitment, or consider a meal prep service (even if it’s only a few days a week if you’re schedule is jampacked and you don’t like to cook…).
What do I cook?
Rice or sweet potatoes, veggies, and oatmeal jars– that is pretty much my meal prep along with one source of protein, salmon and chicken breast being my first go-to’s. Healthy stews are also great, especially in the winter; can be made in bulk, freezable, cost efficient, and tasty– can take a little more time, but for a good stew– worth it!
Be Cost Efficient
Aside from becoming healthier and achieving your fitness goals, if your meal prep is costing you an arm and a leg to afford at some point you will likely start to avoid this positive habit. Again, keep it simple. Yes, you are going to have to spend money– maybe even as much as you do currently, regardless you must think of it as an investment.
Healthy Nutrition qn investment in yourself, your health, your confidence, your immunity, your energy levels, and your overall happiness...
Be a Team
Meal prep with a friend, partner, or getting the kids involved can make things fun, create extra accountability, and move things along faster. To be clear, I’m not rooting for full on child labor and handing knives to your 5 year old to chop up the veggies so you can stay healthy, but if you really want your kids to be healthy, here’s the secret: eat healthy yourself. Kids don’t always hear what you say, but they’ll always watch what you do– that’s when they take the most notes.
If you don’t have kids, or a partner, why not grab a friend and have some good catch up time as well– as they say, “time flies when you’re having fun”
Be Honest
When it comes to meal prep or developing any new habit for that matter, I’m all for setting goals with a high reach so you can grow into them– at the same time, it’s important to be honest with yourself (or be able to reframe your thought process around the activity at hand which we will go more in depth about on another day…).
Do you know how to eat healthy? What groceries to pickup? Do you enjoy cooking? 7am on a Sunday before the day starts sounds great, but is it really a doable time for you to commit to long term?
The less you enjoy cooking, the faster, simpler, and more help you should ask for, especially at the start (and If you love to cook, great– you’re half way there…
Closing thoughts
I hope this helps you all with it comes to your nutrition and developing a healthy lifestyle. Regardless of your planning and how committed you are to living healthier, just remember that at times– shit will hit the fan, all hell will break lose, and you may feel like a complete and utter failure– don’t. Be kind to yourself, be forgiving to yourself, and always get up and get back on the horse.
If you enjoyed and received value from this article, comment below, and/or reach out directly to connect. Rooting for you always,
Coach