Do you want to do healthy meal prep but don’t know where to start? This is the ultimate guide for meal prepping that will save a whole lot of time, money, and effort.
Life can get really busy, so it can feel like you don’t have time to make a good meal for yourself or your family…but that’s where healthy meal prep comes in!
In this blog post, I’m going to share my top 5 tips to better meal prep, as well as product recommendations and different types of meal prep.
After this blog post, you’re going to be equipped with all the right tools and information to meal prep so you have healthy meals to eat even when you’re busy!
This post is about the best healthy meal prep tips that you need to make healthy meals no matter what.
Healthy Meal Prep Tips:
1. Stick To A Consistent Schedule
This is probably the most important tip I could give you. Meal prep can be a blessing if approached with organization and diligence. If you don’t have a strict schedule stuck in place, it’ll be easier and easier to just order out instead of taking the time to take care of yourself and making nutritious food!
To help keep a plan in place so you don’t stray from it, I suggest having a notepad on your fridge with a schedule of your meals for the week. You can also have an accountability partner that you can talk with(you both can help each other meal prep)!
2. Pick The Right Combination Of Meal Recipes
Picking too many recipes that all need the same appliances and methods can make the process longer. To save time, choose meal recipes that need different cooking methods and appliances(for example, don’t choose dishes that all need the oven).
This is super important because meal prep can take super long or be really efficient, and you can have the latter if you’re smart about your meals!
PRO TIP: stick to one oven meal, 2 stovetop meals, and then the rest can be meals you don’t need to cook like sandwiches and salads!
3. Organize Prep And Cook Times
Like I said earlier, meal prep has to be organized. One way to to be more efficient is to schedule a set time each week to meal prep. You can turn on some music and try to have fun!
Another way to make the process go by faster is by using appliances like rice or slow cookers(more on appliances/products later).
4. Make A Good Shopping List
Meal prep obviously won’t work if you don’t have the right ingredients. Make an extensive grocery list and I’d recommend going grocery shopping if possible on a certain day each week(you’re more likely to stick to your meal prep plan).
Whether you make your list on old-fashioned paper or on your phone, this can ensure when you’re ready to meal prep that you have all the right ingredients.
5. Practice Kitchen Safety
This is an essential tip that can be used even when you’re just normally cooking! Practicing kitchen safety is soooo important.
How To Practice Kitchen Safety:
- be aware of your surroundings
- don’t be on your phone
- keep track of your appliances and how close they are to water
- always use proper protection when dealing with hot appliances
- be careful when cutting food 🙂
Different Ways To Meal Prep:
1. Make Ahead Meals
These are full meals cooked in advanced which you can then refrigerate and reheat at meal time…this is helpful for dinnertime!
2. Batch Cooking
This is when you make large batches of a specific recipe, then you split it into individual portions to be frozen and eaten over the next couple months. This is a good idea for warm lunch or dinner options.
3. Individually Portioned Meals
You prepare fresh meals and divide them into individual ready to eat meals that can be eaten over the next few days(best for a day when you need a quick lunch meal)!
4. Ready To Cook Ingredients
You prepare the ingredients needed for different meals ahead of time to cut down on cooking time in the kitchen.
Depending on your lifestyle, different styles of meal prepping will be best for you!
How To Meal Prep:
- Select your preferred style of meal prepping
- Pick the right number of meals to make
- Choose the recipes you want to make
- Stick to a schedule
- Go grocery shopping!!
- Now turn on some music and cook your delicious meals!
- Store your meals using safe cooling methods
- You’re done!!!
Keep in mind that your plan is allowed to be flexible; for example, if you want to eat out once in a while, then don’t let your meal prep plan stop you!
Essential Products For Healthy Meal Prep:
1. Produce Storage Containers
We use produce in almost all of our meals, so it’s only fair that you have proper storage methods for your fruits and veggies. This product is Amazon’s choice for produce storage containers and is plastic(also dishwasher safe)!
It comes with a filter, can be used to store produce and comes in a pack of two; with this product, pre-cutting your fruits and veggies will be a breeze 🙂
2. Meal Prep/Food Storage Containers
This is a good choice if you’re looking to store finished meals or even prepared ingredients! Coming in a two compartment style, this affordable option is highly rated on Amazon as an amazing way to enhance your meal prepping!
3. Reusable Food Storage Bags
Over here at Ana Health Avenue, we care about the environment. That’s why I always do my best to recommend eco-friendly products that I know you guys will love.
Cue in these reusable food storage bags. These bags are food safe, freezer safe, and easy to clean! Plus they seal very well, so you know your food won’t go bad.
Plus, they’re good for the environment!!
4. Food Labels
Now that you have all these containers, you’ll probably need help organizing them. These removable labels don’t leave behind a residue when taken off, so you don’t have to worry about that.
For example, I’d probably label different containers/bags for produce, dairy, and completed meals.
5. Meal Planner Notebook
This is the final product I think that you need to be a meal prep pro! This can help you be more organized with your meal planning by planning your recipes, ingredients needed and more!
[…] They’re really light, easy to make, and packed with flavor. To save even more time, meal prepping will be your best friend. Learn how to properly meal prep healthily here. […]