Arguably the toughest part of “getting in shape” is getting in the kitchen. Meal prepping can either be a burden or a joy (for most of us, it’s definitely the first!)
If you’re in need of some motivation to get prepping and stop stressing, then consider incorporating these 5 tips into your meal-prepping strategy.
Start small
If you’re still figuring out how to master meal prepping, the best piece of advice is to start small. If you’ve done one of our nutrition challenges, then you’ve witnessed this. Starting small looks like meal-prepping only your lunch for three days. Once you master that, then begin meal prepping your dinners, and so on.
Make a list of favorite go-to meals
If you ever look at what professional athletes eat in a day, you might be surprised at the simplicity of their diet. Once you find something that works and tastes good, stick with it. We love keeping a notes section on our phone, or saved recipes within MyFitnessPal, that we can access regularly.
Invest in quality containers
It’s time to ditch those plastic containers that are stained with spaghetti sauce and make an upgrade! If you want to get serious about meal prepping, then consider investing in quality Tupperware. Glass containers often keep food fresh for longer, are easier to clean and microwave better than plastic. Plus, it just feels nicer to eat out of a glass container than plastic….call us snobby, we’re fine with it!
Keep a well-stocked pantry
There are certain items that have a long shelf life and can stay in your ‘fridge and pantry for weeks. Consider stocking up on these handy items like beef jerky, dried tuna, dried fruit and nuts. Also, make sure to always have the basics—like olive oil, eggs, butter, oats, almond milk, La Croix, or whatever else you find yourself always using during the meal-prep process or regularly snacking on throughout the week.
Keep it simple, but spice it up!
Taking traditionally bland food and spicing it up can go a long, long way—especially with meats and vegetables. Next time you’re at the grocery store, check out some of the seasonings they have available. We love adding a little Tony’s to our eggs or spicing them up with hot sauce. Or, try using garlic salt on, well, pretty much everything! Just because you’re eating healthy doesn’t mean you need to compromise flavor. There are also plenty of “swaps” you can make, too. For example, we love using G. Hughes Ketchup, a zero-sugar alternative to the regular stuff. Or, if you’re looking to decrease your calorie count, consider using PB powder instead of the real stuff. Get creative with your cooking and add some flavor!
