Coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, and hemp seeds for topping.Here are six recipes you can use to kick off your meal prep journey! Breakfasts It can be challenging to find meals to prep that are as delicious and nutritious on the last day as they were on the first. Glass containers are preferable to plastic containers, since they hold up better in the dishwasher and don’t leach BPA and phthalates when microwaved. You can easily find great storage that includes lids that lock into place to avoid messy commutes. You’ll want containers that can hold up in the dishwasher or generally are hassle-free to clean. With meal prepping, it’s important to consider the shelf life of your ingredients, so look for items you can freeze and reheat or that are shelf stable. If, for example, you’re grabbing an apple at the lunch counter every day, they can cost anywhere from $1 to $3 each – while a bag of apples may cost $5 for six pieces. Meal prepping can seem more expensive than shopping throughout the week, but it’s actually more cost effective. This can be any day of the week, but most people opt for Sundays, ahead of the workweek. Block out a few hours to prepare and cook for the week ahead – and remember to factor in cleanup. Choose a day/time dedicated to prepping.įind a day when you have the time to make food for the week. Be sure to include whole grains, leafy greens, healthy fats, filling fiber and protein, and plenty of delicious spices. Break down the day into the meals you’re going to create and some healthy snacks to munch on. This doesn’t have to be a complicated, time-consuming task it can take less than an hour to make a schedule of your meals for the week ahead. The first step to successful meal prep is planning what you’re going to eat. Create a meal plan and write a corresponding grocery list. Four Tips for Meal Preppingįor those looking to optimize their wellness routine with meal prep, here are some simple steps to get started. Besides nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, other functional foods include ingredients that contain probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. While choosing which foods to make for your meals, keep your unique needs and wants in mind – just because a recipe says it’s good for you doesn’t mean it’s good for you!įunctional foods are any foods that offer health benefits beyond their caloric value. Functional nutrition takes all aspects of our lives into account and focuses on the larger picture, not just on whether a food is considered “good” or “bad” for you. Much of traditional nutrition is one-size-fits-all and doesn’t consider our bio-individual needs and lifestyle. When deciding what to prep, keep functional nutrition in mind. Cooking every day isn’t always possible, so meal prepping can allow you to still have homemade meals without having to whip something up each day.Ĭameron Linville, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and founder of Freckled Foodie, suggests starting small: “Try prepping only breakfasts or lunches or even just cutting all the vegetables so that the cooking time for dinner is shortened.” Make Meal Prep “Functional” Meal prepping is convenient and efficient, reduces waste, and lowers the temptation to eat outside your meal plan. You prepare the food in bulk, then dish it into fridge and freezer containers to grab when it’s time to eat. Meal prepping involves preparing several (typically four or five) days’ worth of meals at one time to eat throughout the week. Instead of winging it when it comes to your meals, setting up time at the beginning of the week for meal prep can ensure that you’re prioritizing healthy ( and delicious) meals. We’ve all been there – we plan to put together a meal filled with healthy and nutritious ingredients, but plans change and we’re exhausted from work or just not in the mood to cook.