Meal prepping is preparing whole meals or dishes ahead of time. This can help save a lot of time in a busy schedule. Pre-prepared meals can also help you reach your nutrition goals.
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There are various ways to meal prep, and not all of these involve spending a whole Sunday afternoon cooking dishes for the upcoming week. There are 4 popular ways to meal prep, which include:
Make ahead meals - these are full meals cooked in advance which you can store in the fridge and reheat them when you are ready to eat them.
Batch cooking - this is making large batches of a specific recipe, then splitting it into individual portions to be frozen and eaten over the next few weeks.
Individually portioned meals - this includes making fresh meals and portioning them into individual grab-and-go portions to be refrigerated and eaten over the next few days.
Ready to cook ingredients - this is prepping the ingredients required for specific meals ahead of time as a way to cut down on cooking time in the kitchen
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Different methods depend on your schedule and your goals. Figuring out how many meals to make and what to include in each meal can sometimes be tricky. A good idea is to check your schedule to see how many breakfasts, lunches, or dinners you will need for the upcoming week.
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When selecting meals to make, it is best to start with a limited number of recipes that you already know. It is also good to try to avoid picking only one recipe for the whole week. Lack of variety can lead to boredom and won’t provide your body with the nutrients it needs.
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Try picking meals that contain different vegetables and protein-rich foods, as well as varied complex carbs like brown rice, quinoa, or sweet potatoes.
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With all these tips hopefully meal prepping won’t seem so overwhelming!