New Year New You! - Meal Prepping Tips

By: Meaghan Orellana, Student in Nutrition and Dietetics

When we let ourselves get too hungry we often reach for the quickest, easiest source of energy to keep us going. In our busy lives this can happen often. Having meals prepared gives us a healthy, quick option when we don’t feel like cooking at the end of the day. Meal prepping can be a daunting task - below we have tips to help make this a little easier!

Set Aside a Scheduled Time 

Pick a time during your week that you can schedule in time to meal prep much like setting aside time to grocery shop. Creating this routine will make it easier to stick with and have time for. 

Keep it Short

When you decide when you will meal prep, keep it within 60 - 90 minutes. You will be less likely to stick with the habit of meal prepping if you are spending a long exhausting day in the kitchen. 

Prepare to Prep

Before you go grocery shopping, decide what recipes or meals you want to use. Check the total time to cook and prepare when you are choosing your recipes to make sure they are not too labor intensive.

Re-Use your Ingredients

When you are choosing what meals to make, compare the ingredients. Try to choose meals that use the same ingredients to make prepping and shopping easier and costs and waste down. 

Work With Your Habits 

If setting aside one day to do all your prepping does not sound realistic for you, break it up. Choose 2 or 3 days a week you have time to cook and make extra servings. 

Work Together

Make this a community event - get your kids, spouse or friend in the kitchen with you and prep together. This can be a great way to spend some extra time together while setting yourselves up for the week.  

Store Wisely

Let your food cool completely before storing. This reduces condensation buildup causing food to get soggy. Storing different components of your meal separately can help maintain freshness.   

Utilize the Freezer

Eating the same foods each day can be boring. Storing meals in single servings in the freezer can be an easy way to stock up on variety and quickly grab something to bring to work. 

Preparation is the best way to set yourself up for success! You will thank yourself tomorrow when you have a quick healthy option waiting in the fridge. Happy prepping!