How to have healthy food ready when you need it
By Trainer Tove
You might already know what a healthy, balanced meal looks like. But how do you consistently eat healthy, balanced meals in the context of real life? Easy, fast, and unhealthy options surround us everywhere, and the thought of food planning and preparation seems overwhelming. Sound familiar?
Precision Nutrition's meal prep strategies have helped me get organized and make sure I have healthy food ready when I need it. All it takes is a clear, basic, efficient system. By setting aside a few hours a week for a food prep ritual, you will be amazed at how easy it is to eat well.
Try the following Precision Nutrition key strategies for having healthy food available when you need it. They will help make meal planning a breeze.
1. Clear the path for yourself. Get rid of things you don't want to eat. If healthy food is around you and convenient, you’re more likely to eat it.
2. Look ahead to your upcoming schedule. What nutrition challenges or opportunities might lay ahead? Where might you need some advance preparation? etc.
3. Come up with a general menu for the week ahead. Get the whole family involved in choosing the recipes.
4. Build your shopping list from your menu. This will help you be as effective and efficient as possible when you go food shopping. Consider adding a few extra emergency items as well as other easily-stored healthy options to your list.
5. Hit the grocery store. Stock up on what you need for the week. Stick to your list and resist the temptation of buying random things that don't support your goals.
6. Once back home, start prepping and cooking. Whip up a batch of lean protein, for example, by roasting several chicken breasts/thighs at once. Try some one-pot meals such as soups, stews, curries, chilis, etc. Pack everything into containers to freeze or refrigerate. Wash and chop your veggies. Depending on your schedule for the week you might choose to prepare all your meals at once or save some easy to cook meals for later. Do what works best for you, and your schedule!
7. If you don’t enjoy cooking, or are extremely busy, you can turn to the wide range of grab-and-go meals that many grocery stores offer. Think salad bars, pre-washed and cut vegetables, and individually-portioned lean protein. There are also many food store chains that offer healthy food takeout and delivery. You might even consider signing up for a healthy meal delivery service.
Start slow, and do what works for you. Once you get a hang of it, prepping meals in advance is really easy!
#MealPlan #MealPrep #HealthyEating #HealthyChoices #HealthyHabits #HealthyLife #HealthyFoods