We middle-aged women have many roles to play in our lives; we are wives, daughters, sisters, employees, managers, mothers, and, most importantly, women. Sometimes, we neglect our diet due to our hectic schedules. This is why meal planning is not just a passing fad but a practical approach that assists us in feeding our bodies, saving time, and taking control of our health.
In this blog post, I will explain meal prepping and how to do it effectively so you can change the way you eat and manage your time. By the time you are done with this article, you will be ready to try out a meal-planning strategy that works for you.
1. Life Becomes Easier
Most of us tend to opt for quick and easily available food items that are not always healthy and contribute to our weight gain issues. It only takes 20 minutes to plan your meals for the week, which will enable you to avoid the situation described above. This way, you will be sure to put healthy products in your cart and not not-so-healthy options like fast food.
2. You Stay on Track
Nutrition is said to be the most significant factor in weight loss, and meal planning assists in this regard. It is much easier to stay on track when you have healthy meals to eat.
3. It Reduces Stress
You do not want to spend time thinking about what to eat after a long day. Preparing meals in advance helps eliminate the stress often associated with planning weeknight meals.
4. You Save Money
When you buy in bulk and cook at home, you will spend less on food than you would have if you had bought your meals in bulk. Meal prepping not only assists in losing weight but also helps in saving money—a great combination!
5. It Builds Consistency
As with any new habit, meal prepping may seem quite challenging during the first few weeks, but it becomes easier with time. The key to any health improvement strategy is consistency.
Step 1: Plan Your Meals
It is recommended that you spend 20-25 minutes once a week on meal planning. To get ideas, look at social networks, Pinterest, or various websites and blogs. If you want to save time and effort, you can create different boards on Pinterest or save the recipes in an application.
Step 2: Write It All Down
You can use a planner, a meal-prepping app, or a Notes app on your phone. Write down how many meals and snacks you want to consume daily, and write the links to the recipes.
Step 3: Shop Smart
Once you have finished the planning, you need to check what is in the fridge, freezer, and pantry. Make a list of items that you will need for the recipes and buy them. You can also order your groceries and pick them up from the store or have them delivered to your doorstep.
Step 4: Batch Cook and Store
You should find some time on the weekend to do the batch cooking. You should also try to make more food than you need to ensure there is enough for the whole week. Portion your meals into containers and label them with what’s inside. Make sure that you put the meals in the right container and place them in the refrigerator or freezer to avoid them being thrown away.
Step 5: Stick to the Plan
Do not try to change the plan. Eat in the specified order and prepare only what you consume during the week.
• Start Small: If prepping for a whole week feels overwhelming, start by prepping just a few meals.
• Choose Foods You Love: It is better to stick to the recipes you actually like to eat so that you will be looking forward to eating them.
• Use Quality Containers: It is advisable to invest in BPA-free, tough containers for storage.
• Label everything: It is advisable to write what is in the containers and when they were packed to reduce the chances of mixing up meals.
• Make It a Ritual: Make meal prepping your weekend routine memorable by listening to your favorite music or podcast.
Meal prepping has been one of the most important aspects of my wellness plan. It makes my week easier, helps me maintain my ideal weight, and makes me feel good about my eating. For instance, on Sunday mornings, I prepare meals for the week, and in two hours, I am ready to go.
If I can do it, you can too! It is essential to start slowly, stick to the plan, and have fun!
Comment below and share on social media if this blog posts resonates with you!
Love, Jax
xoxoxo
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