We get it. You’re busy. You’ve barely got time to accomplish the tasks you’ve set out to do in a day. Stop stressing about meal prepping and listen up– it doesn’t have to be hard or complex. It can be simple and fast. You can enjoy delicious and healthy meals with minimal effort thanks to our convenient meal prep recipes.
1. Unlocking the Benefits of Healthy Meal Prep
Do you ever feel like your life is a whirlwind of activities? You barely found the time to cook and prepare your own food, let alone in a healthy fashion? Meal Prep has become a popular lifestyle trend which can help you save valuable time, keep your nutrition goals on track, and all while staying within budget. Here are the benefits of making Meal Prep part of your life:
- The savings: By enlisting meal prep to help big-batch meals, you will save a lot of money in the long run. You’ll be able to purchase groceries in bulk, which can help cut down the cost of grocery shopping. Besides, you will also be able to reduce food waste, you’ll no longer find food that is expired in the back of your refrigerator.
- The convenience: Who doesn’t need a little help on their busy days? If you take the time to prepare multiple meals ahead of time you can easily grab something from the fridge or freezer for a quick no-fuss meal. You can also meal prep your family’s favorite dishes and have the convenience of having dinner ready in no time.
- The health benefits: This is the most important aspect of meal prep. Since you are preparing your meals yourself, you can control the ingredients that you include in the food. Not to mention the fact that by preparing your meals in advance, you’ll also be able to keep track of the portions and calories. This will help you stay within your nutrition goals and keep you from consuming more than is necessary.
Food Prep Tips
Here are some tips to help you get started with meal prepping:
- Plan ahead: This is the most important step in the meal prepping process. Take the time to plan your meals for the week. Figure out what recipes you want to cook and make a shopping list accordingly.
- Grocery shopping: Do your grocery shopping for the week all in one go and make sure to purchase only what you need. If you can, opt for non-perishable ingredients such as canned vegetables, brown rice, and whole wheat pasta.
- Set aside prepping time: Set aside a few hours to do your meal prepping and get the job done. It will be worth it in the long run because you won’t have to spend your entire day in the kitchen.
- Set a weekly menu – create a weekly menu that incorporates a variety of tasty foods that you can look forward to eating each day. This can help you plan out your grocery purchases and save time in the kitchen throughout the week.
- Make meals ahead of time – double up on recipes and freeze your meals for days when you don’t feel like cooking or are short on time.
- Stick to your list – take a list with you when you go grocery shopping to help you stay on track with your healthy eating plan and limit any unhealthy snacking impulses.
- Frozen fruits and vegetables are great budget-savers.
- Canned items like tuna, beans, and tomato sauce are great when stocked in pantry.
- Plan weekend cooking ahead of time to save time during the week.
- Toss together a delicious Thai salad with crunchy vegetables, fresh herbs, and a zesty lime-based dressing.
- Whip up a rich saffron risotto with peas, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese. Even the pickiest eaters will be asking for more.
- Take classic macaroni and cheese to next level with roasted broccoli, peppers, tomatoes and homemade breadcrumbs.
- Make your mornings easier
- Remain well fueled and energized
- Eat healthy while still saving money
2. Planning Your Delicious Healthy Meals
Once you have set some realistic goals for your healthy lifestyle, you can start planning out some tasty meals that you know you will enjoy. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Try new recipes – look for new recipes to mix up your meals, discovering new healthy dishes can help keep you motivated and keep things interesting. You can also adjust recipes to make them even healthier by adding in additional vegetables or swapping out ingredients like butter for olive oil.
With a bit of planning and some delicious recipes, you can create healthy meals that you actually look forward to eating every day.​
3. Crafting Quick and Delicious Meals on Time-Saving Budgets
It’s easy to dream of sumptuous meals without having to worryabout the budget. But all of us who face busy schedules know that the reality lies in saving time without compromising the taste of our meals. Here are some great tips to craft delicious meals on a time-saving budget!
Focus on Staples: Getting back to basics is a great way to save time and money. Think of a few dishes that you can make from the same ingredients. Seasonal vegetables and fruits, beans, and lentils, along with legumes, can help form the base for a lot of recipes in no time. With a few variations in spices, you can easily get a delicious meal for the entire family.
Bulk up Your Meals: Invest in certain staples such as rice, cereals, and other grains in bulk. This way, you save a great deal of time and money over the long term. You can also grind your own grains, like oats, for flour.
Efficient Shopping: Take the time to research which grocery stores have which items for the best prices. Planning your meals for the week can help you create grocery lists and save time while going for the shopping. When you’re at the store, use a shopping cart or basket to keep track of how much you’ve stored and plan your meals around the few items that you buy in bulk.
Crafting a sumptuous and delicious meal doesn’t need to be a tedious task. With a quick plan and a few staple items, you can create beautiful meals on a tight budget without having to jeopardize your time.
4. Making Meal Prep a Breeze with Delicious Recipes
Taking inspiration from the world’s tastiest cuisines can make meal prep a breeze. With delicious recipes, it’s easier to stay on track and cook healthy meals at home. Here are some ideas you can try:
You don’t need to stick to the same meals all the time. Experiment with international dishes and use different flavors and ingredients to keep your meals interesting. If you’re short on time, try single-skillet meals that require minimal preparation and cleanup.
Look for recipes that can be stored and reheated for quick meals during the week. The more you make and pre-portion, the easier your life will become. So, don’t be afraid to whip up a big batch of your favorite dishes.
5. Enjoying the Benefits of Meal Prepping for Busy Days
Making the most of your mornings
Meal prepping is your secret weapon for tackling busy days. Start your day with a bite that’s perfectly suited to your tastes and your stomach. It helps that you already know the container — appetizing pasta salads, nutritious oatmeal bowls, and delicious burrito bowls are all waiting for you in the fridge. Meal prepping helps you take control of your day from the moment your feet hit the floor.
Stay fueled and energized
Busy days don’t have to mean an empty stomach. With meal prepping, you can enjoy nourishing and satisfying meals that will power you all day long. Prepping healthy lunches and snacks that you look forward to gives an extra pep in your step and helps you tackle even the most hectic of days.
Keep your body healthy and your budget balanced
With meal prepping you can comfortably fit in those five (or more) servings of fruits and vegetables every day. You don’t have to be at home to enjoy them, with meal prepping you can stock up on healthy food that can be taken with you on your many errands.
Plus, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg to stay stocked. Prepared meals give you the convenience of a restaurant without the high price tag. Your bank account will thank you!
Meal prepping is an invaluable tool to keep you satisfyingly energized and nutritionally balanced. Stocking up on delicious, homemade food offers convenience with the added bonus of healthy – more so now than ever with fruits and vegetables being so readily available. With meal prepping, you can enjoy the benefits of nutritious meals, comfortable mornings, and a well-balanced budget.
We hope that these easy meal prep recipes have inspired you to spend more time preparing healthy meals for your busy days. Take a few moments this week to pick a recipe or two and you’ll be surprised at how much time you save and how much healthier you can feel. Have fun prepping and bon appetit!
