Making time to meal prep ensures you’ll have healthy lunches for the week. But let’s be honest, it can be time-consuming!!
My husband and I have been meal prepping consistently for two years now, and one thing I’ve learned is that it is OKAY to take SHORT-CUTS to save time, energy, and clean-up. And now with two newborns in the house, I appreciate these tricks even more!
So if you’ve been turned off by meal prep before, try some of these techniques to make your weekly meal prep a more positive & successful experience!
- Steamer Vegetable Bags – in the summer, we like to grill a big batch of veggies to use during the week. If we have extra time in the winter, nothing is better than roasted veggies like zucchini, sweet potato, and peppers in the oven! BUT if you want a quick way to get veggies prepped, try the frozen aisle and stock up on bags of frozen mixed veggies & starches. There is a great variety of blends and stir-fry mixes that can cook in under 5 minutes for less than a dollar!
- Microwave Whole Grains – one of the best time-savers are the 90-second microwave whole grain bags on store shelves. Sold at most stores, you can get brown rice, brown rice/quinoa, and mixed whole grain varieties for a quick way to add a healthy starch to your meal. Remember you want at least 50% of your daily intake to come from carbohydrate-rich foods like whole grains, veggies, and fruit.
- Canned Beans – need a quick protein source? Instead of grilling or roasting meat, poultry, or seafood, try canned beans like black, pinto, or garbanzo. Make sure to shop for low or no-sodium options. Partner with veggies and a whole grain for a complete meal. Also, a great way to have a meatless meal that is high in fiber!
- Pre-Chopped Vegetables – if you want to use fresh veggies, but don’t feel like chopping, pay the extra cost and purchase pre-chopped produce. Save time by buying a butternut squash, sweet potato, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, and carrots in pre-chopped and pre-washed chunks!
Try these meal prepping tips this weekend to set you up for the week ahead!
Upcoming FREE WEBINAR: Wanting to learn more about how to eat healthfully? Join me on Thursday, March 28that 12 pm CST to learn how to “Eat Right on a Budget”. Can’t attend live? No worries, register and a recorded version will be emailed to you after the webinar! Click HERE to enroll now!
Looking for personalized help to kick-start your health goals? Schedule your complimentary Discovery Call today by clicking HERE. Reach out to info@nicoleolenrdn.com with any questions!
