Our lives are busier than they’ve ever been. Technology is continually advancing, meaning platforms or tools to keep up with. Work-From-Home is a more popular choice, which means figuring a new way to manage things the household. And social media doesn’t help with the feeling of FOMO when you check out what your friends and collegues were up to last weekend. So wouldn’t life be so much easier if all your meals were made for you, leaving you more time to get out and do all the things? Technically they can be, if you typically buy frozen entrees or find yourself getting takeout more often than not. Great for saving time, not always the best when it comes to nutritional value or helping you achieve any weight management goals you might have.
And with access to so much at our fingertips, the amount of options for things to do, buy or experience can be overwhelming. Don’t believe me? How much time did you spend scrolling through Netflix last night before you finally decided what you wanted to watch? When we think about our diet, there is a similar experience that can happen when we enter the grocery store. Aisles and aisles of snack foods, instant meals and a freezer section with more space for french fries and pizza than it has for frozen vegetables. Continually trying to figure out new meals to make can feel like so much work, especially when you’re on a budget and quick Hungry Man meal is on sale.
Do I Really Need to Meal Prep?
Have to? No, but you may want to consider it. There are more benefits than just the satisfaction of having a home-cooked meal.
- Meal Prepping can Help You Save Money. If you’re worried about wasting food, plan your weekly meals so that items are resuable. Peppers can be cooking down into chili or sliced for fajita filling. Loaf of bread near the expiry? Dice the rest of your it into bite-sized chunks and bake it after tossing in olive oil and some herbs. Now you’ve got homemade croutons. If you plan your meals effectively, you can make more from less, and feel good about what you’re putting into your body.
- It Saves you Time. It may not feel like it at first, especially if you’re not used to spending time in the kitchen. If you can set aside as little as two hours a week, you can get yourself setup so you have more time in the evenings to spend with family or friends, or even working on a new hobby.
- It can be healthier for you. With more attention to what you’re putting on your plate, you can decide whether to include more nutrious alternatives than you would find in your frozen lasagne. Maybe you choose a lower fat cheese, or you add a layer of vegetables. Whatever you make, you are in control, so any dietary restrictions you might have are less of a concern.
- You Can Bond with Your Loved Ones. Meal prep doesn’t have to be all work and no play. If you have kids, you can use this time to teach them a new skill and get involved with them. If you’re single, this can be a time when you meetup with friends to meal prep and potluck. Have a romantic date at home with your partner cooking together. It can be as fun as you make it.
- You Don’t Have to do All The Work. There are a number of companies now that ship ingredients and recipes to you, all you have to do is assemble. This cuts down on time spent grocery shopping as well, where you might be tempted to sneak in some unnecessary extras.
All this is to say, if you’re worried about your waistline, you’ll need to take a closer look at what’s going into your body and take a little control back. One of the quickest and easiest ways to do that is to make your own meals.
If you’d like some help with the planning process, connect with me today to create a strategy that works for your schedule and your budget.
Better Balance + Flow 
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