Life Hack: Meal Prep
As a mom of two and with two more on their way, cooking nutritious meals every day is overwhelming and sometimes feels impossible.
This is why I am a huge proponent of meal prepping. However, often it sounds like a great idea, but we never actually do it or it doesn’t become part of our routine.I want to share some practical ways to incorporate it into your weekly schedule. It will save you soo much time and you will thank yourself for planning ahead!
Getting Started:
Plan Ahead: Set aside some time each week to plan your meals. Create a menu for the week, considering your family’s preferences and dietary needs. I like the free app Mealime for this. I usually do this when I’m nursing my babies or putting them down for a nap etc. In my Fourth Trimester Checklist, I include a menu section to help you think about meals that you want others to make or to freeze ahead of time.
Organize Your Kitchen: Invest in quality containers and storage solutions to keep your prepped meals fresh. Having a well-organized kitchen will streamline the process. I love these SouperCubes.
Establishing a Weekly Routine:
Choose a Prep Day: Designate a specific day for meal prepping. This could be a weekend day or a less hectic weekday evening. Consistency is key. Personally, I like to organize my groceries on Sundays and make piles of ingredients for each day of the week.
Batch Cooking: Prepare ingredients in bulk. Cook proteins, chop vegetables, and portion out snacks. This not only saves time but also allows for versatile use of ingredients throughout the week.I usually try to plan 2 or 3 meals that use similar ingredients. For example, I’ll roast a chicken on Monday night, then on Tuesday I will use the leftover chicken to make enchiladas, and then on Wednesday I will use the bone broth and scraps of chicken for soup.
Freezer Hacks:
Flash Freeze: Lay flat items like pancakes or marinated proteins on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag. This prevents them from sticking together and makes it easy to grab individual portions.
Prep Smoothie Packs: In ziplock bags, combine your favorite smoothie ingredients. Just toss a bag in the blender for a quick and nutritious breakfast.
Casserole Trays: Prepare casseroles and freeze them in individual servings. Pop one in the oven for a hassle-free dinner.
Freeze in portion sized containers, like with these SouperCubes molds, then pop them out and store in a bigger bag and reuse the molds. I have other container options on my Amazon Shop.
Time-Saving Tips:
Quick and Easy Recipes: Keep it simple with recipes that require minimal time and ingredients. Check out my 4-week meal plan here.
Multitask: Utilize your oven and stovetop efficiently. Cook multiple components simultaneously to save time.
I hope these are helpful! Remember, meal prepping is about making your life easier, so feel free to customize these tips to suit your family’s unique needs.If you want to eat healthier but are not sure where to start, our team of registered dietitians would love to help provide solutions for your unique situation. To learn more about our nutrition services, click here.
