Prepping Power
September is a great time to get ourselves re-organised. Even if you don’t have school-aged children, colleagues returning from holidays, and the start of a new season can give us new mental energy to work with. That’s a perfect time to get into some healthy kitchen habits!
Planning and prepping ahead of time can be a game changer in terms of your health goals!
1. Eases Decision Fatigue
When you’re constantly making decisions throughout the day—whether at work, home, or in social settings—it’s easy to experience decision fatigue. This mental exhaustion often leads to impulsive choices, like reaching for a sugary snack or ordering a delivery after a long day. With pre-planned and/or pre-prepared meals ready to go, can ensure that every meal is aligned with your health goals.
2. Avoids Unhealthy Choices When Tired
After a hectic day, the last thing you want to do is spend time cooking. This is when many of us are tempted to choose convenience foods, which are often unhealthy and lack the nutrients our bodies need. By having pre-cooked, nourishing meals ready in your fridge or freezer, you can avoid the pitfalls of unhealthy eating. Knowing that you have nutritious, delicious options waiting for you can be a relief and a motivator to stay on track with your health goals.
3. Saves Time and Reduces Stress
One of the greatest advantages of batch cooking is the time it saves. By dedicating just a couple of hours once or twice a week to meal prep, you can free up valuable time on busy weekdays. This not only saves time but also reduces the stress associated with daily meal preparation, allowing you to focus on other important aspects of your life.
Practical Tips
1. Plan Your Menu
Start by planning a weekly menu. Do this against your timetable for the week, when you know how much time you have and which days are likely to be high or low energy.
2. Invest in Quality Storage Containers
Good storage containers are essential for keeping your prepped meals fresh. Glass, pyrex and ceramic containers are best for the fridge at home, and help to avoid hormone disrupting chemicals and other toxins from plastic and foil. BPA and phlatate-free Tupperware containers can be used for freezing and transporting food.
3. Cook in Bulk
Cooking in bulk allows you to prepare multiple servings at once, which can be stored in the fridge or freezer for later use. This doesn’t just have to be whole meals, like chili con carne. For example, you might cook a large pot of quinoa or cauliflower mash that can be saved for side dish servings another time. If you are cooking a meal with a sauce or marinade, consider doubling the quantity to freeze for another time.
4. Prep Ingredients Ahead of Time
If you prefer not to cook everything in advance, consider prepping ingredients ahead of time. Chop vegetables, marinate proteins, and prepare dressings or sauces in advance. This way, when it’s time to cook, the hard work is already done, and you can have a meal on the table in minutes.
5. Invest in Good Quality Knives
Good knives won’t be the cheapest, but the difference they make to chopping is incredible! You don’t have to get a full fancy set – just one good vegetable knife can be a game changer.
Ready to resdicover your body confidence and found out how good you were meant to feel? Want to find out more about a personalised one to one nutrition and training programmes? Get in touch!