Deciding what to eat is the next hurdle you have to tackle, and it is a never-ending struggle—even for people who aren’t picky eaters. The key here is keeping your meals simple. Trying to make complicated meals isn’t nearly as important as making sure your meals are well-rounded, nutritious and filling. Try out several recipes, make sure you can handle eating them four to five times a week and then keep notes of which recipes belong in your go-to folder—or on your new Pinterest meal prepping board.
Keeping recipes simple takes the guesswork out of grocery shopping, but that doesn’t mean your meals have to be tasteless. Even something as simple as seasoning your chicken differently for each day of the week can keep your taste buds interested in a meal.
Cooking
Get ready to be a pro multitasker if you begin meal prepping regularly. With so many different aspects of your meals to prepare, from the protein to the veggies to the snacks, doing only one element at a time will take a huge chunk of time from your day.
Try organizing your recipes in time increments, so you can optimize your time and your kitchen space. Get the oven heating while you’re unpacking and preparing your meats and produce, or sauté your vegetables while your chicken is baking in the oven—don’t just twiddle your thumbs waiting for the next step.
Pro Tip: It’s All About the Containers
Making large quantities of food all at once can take up a ton of space in your refrigerator, so investing in a great set of Tupperware and mason jars—and actually washing them—can help keep your meals organized and portioned correctly.
Who doesn’t want a fridge that looks like this?
Meal prepping will take some practice at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll save money and time. Your body might even shed a few unwanted pounds as you fill it up with home-cooked, nutritious meals.
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