Meal Prep Like a Pro: Hacks for Busy Families and Individuals
Balancing work, family, and a busy schedule means that when dinner time rolls around, I’m just as ready to eat as everyone else. As grateful as I am to work from home, whipping up a fresh, elaborate dinner at 5 p.m. just isn’t feasible. That’s where meal prepping comes to the rescue. It allows me to stay organized, keep stress at bay, and still enjoy quality meals with my family without the last-minute scramble. Plus, I even meal prep for Astro and Zoe’s food because hey, they deserve the best too!
What Are the Benefits of Meal Prepping?
Improved Nutrition: Prepping meals ahead of time ensures that we’re eating balanced, nutritious meals, packed with proteins, healthy fats, and veggies. No more reaching for unhealthy convenience foods or impulsive takeout decisions—everything is planned out and ready to go.
Portion Control: When meals are prepped in advance, portion control becomes a breeze. You’re able to stick to your nutritional goals without the temptation to overeat, making it easier to manage weight and stay on track.
Reduced Stress: Ever made the mistake of asking your significant other what they want for dinner? It’s like a never-ending game of ping pong: “I don’t know, what do you want?” “What do we have?” “If I knew, I wouldn’t have asked!” By planning and preparing meals ahead of time, you avoid the stress and decision fatigue that comes with the daily dinner dilemma.
Healthier Eating Habits: Having healthy meals ready to go means you’re less likely to snack on unhealthy options or make impulsive food choices. It’s all about setting yourself up for success by removing the guesswork.
Time- and Cost-Saving: Bulk prepping means less time spent cooking throughout the week and less energy spent cranking up the stove. That not only frees up more time for family, exercise, or relaxation, but it also helps lower utility bills—no more heating up the house with the oven every day!
Decreased Food Waste: Lately, grocery trips have me wondering if the food in my cart is enough, and then BAM—$200 at checkout. Meal prepping helps avoid this feeling by planning exactly what you need, reducing overbuying, and minimizing food waste. Every item has a purpose.
Customizable to Fit Your Lifestyle: Whether you have specific dietary needs, fitness goals, or personal preferences, meal prepping lets you tailor your meals to fit your lifestyle. It’s all about making food work for you, not the other way around.
Want to know a secret?
ChatGPT is my meal-prepping best friend. We’re pretty close (whether ChatGPT knows it or not). I give it a set of prompts, like the types of food we like, and ask it to help me create healthy, easy peasy lemon squeezy meals. I also ask for a grocery list that’s affordable and perfect for bulk buying. We go back and forth like old friends, chit-chatting until I’m happy with the menu.
These recipes are so easy peasy that I’m almost convinced Paul, my husband, could handle making them himself. And I’m talking about the same man who nearly burned down our house and almost lost a finger trying to cook a chicken dinner once. Needless to say, he hasn’t been invited back into the kitchen since that incident. Part of me suspects he might have done it on purpose... 😂 But seriously, these meals are foolproof!
What I Use to Prepare and Store the Food
Bentgo® Meal Prep Containers
These double as both meal prep and lunch containers, and they’re my go-to. Depending on the meal, they’re perfectly sectioned off, making portioning easy and keeping everything in its place. Plus, the compartments are sized just right, so you know exactly how much you’re packing.
Portion Control Containers
These portion control containers are a game-changer for measuring out food. I love them! You can even ask ChatGPT to calculate how many containers you should use daily for weight loss or maintenance—AI for the win!
Ziploc Freezer Bags (Large Size)
Ziploc freezer bags are a lifesaver when it comes to meal prepping. They take up less space in the freezer, and you can just dump the contents into a crockpot in the morning. By the time you’re home from work, dinner’s ready! Just don’t forget to actually turn the crockpot on... I’ve made that mistake, and instead of coming home to a delicious-smelling house, I was greeted with pure disappointment. 😅
Note: I’m not partnered with any of these companies, but hey, if they want to reach out, I’m totally open to it. 😉Wink wink!
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Disclaimer:
I am not a doctor, psychologist, or licensed therapist. Everything I share is based on my personal experiences and should not be considered professional advice. For personalized guidance, always consult a licensed medical or mental health professional—yes, a real one, not "Dr. Google" or the comment section of social media.
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