To ensure a healthy eating plan and diet, one should definitely consider preparing meals in advance. This will help you eat healthy even when you get back home too tired and exhausted to cook. Planning and prepping will not only save you time and money, but it will also keep you healthy. Time spent on preparing and cooking meals results in better dietary habits.
There are several ways that you can prepare your meals ahead of time and maintain healthy dietary habits. Let’s take a look at some tips to help you when preparing meals ahead of time.
Plan
Listing healthy foods that you love is a great way to start your meal plan. Select healthy food recipes that are quick to prepare or that you can prepare in bulk. You can also plan healthy snacks that you can have in between meals. Meal planning can involve preparing menus for the following week during the weekend. The menu can be mixed up within the week so as not to get bored eating similar foods during meals. You can also source healthy plan ideas online and then plan for the week ahead.
One Time Cooking
Learn to prepare meals at once saving you the time and the high cost of energy and utility bills. Foods like vegetables, chicken breast and others that require a lengthier cooking process such as roasting, can all be roasted at once. Vegetables are sweeter when roasted since it retains their natural taste. If you’re looking at cooking various vegetables like mushrooms, asparagus, carrots, cauliflower, and potatoes, note that they all have different cooking times. Some like mushroom and asparagus cook fast while cauliflower, carrots, and potatoes are slow cooking.
Chop Raw Vegetables Earlier
Any raw vegetables that you are planning on using to prepare meals should be cut beforehand and stored in the fridge. This saves you time during a busy weeknight when you are way too tired to even think about chopping vegetables. Vegetables like carrots, onions, and pepper have a longer shelf life and can be preserved for longer when properly sealed in a container or plastic bag and stored in a freezer until you need to use them.
Buy Food Storage Containers
Food storage containers play an important role in any kitchen. You can buy them in different sizes and they can be purchased depending on your needs. It’s best to buy different sizes to suit different storage purposes. Make sure the plastic containers you buy are BPA-free and made of a quality material to avoid melting when placed in a microwave or dishwasher. You can also use dishes with lids as well as glass jars for food storage.
Glass jars are an effective way of storing salads to prevent them from getting soggy. Place vegetables like cucumber on the bottom and then add any leafy vegetables on top. If you are intending to store the salad for several days, place a paper towel at the top to absorb any moisture.
Keep Your Stock Up To Date
Having ingredients ready in your home will lessen the time required to rush to the grocery store making it convenient for you to prepare your meals faster. This enables you to make a quick, healthy meal.
Preparing meals in advance ensures that you take time in listing the healthiest food for your meals and helps you maintain a nutrient-filled diet even when you are not in the mood to cook.
*Collaborative Post