Meal prepping, in theory it sounds amazing but one quick search through Instagram and it’s enough to make you reach for a ready meal. But when you bring it back and keep it simple, meal prep is essentially ready meals, but made by you.
Meal prep can be simple. You do not need to make 30 meals on a Sunday evening ready for the rest of the week. Start of off simple and be amazed at the impact a little bit of meal prep can have.
Meal prep: first things first
As we’ve said, launching full force into prepping all three meals plus snacks for an entire week is probably a bit overwhelming.
Start small and work your way up. Pick a meal and start with prep for that. For instance, if you’re more likely to skip breakfast then make sure you start with prepping brekkie.
Make sure you actually do it. Block out some time and schedule it in to make sure your meal prep actually gets done.
Keep it simple. Now is probably not the time to start whipping up a brand new and tricky recipe. Find a recipe that you love and you feel comfortable cooking en masse.
Meal prep containers
Ditch the plastic. It is not unknown that the world is in a bit of a plastic crisis, so ditch the plastic Tupperware in favour of glassware.
Get thrifty. Containers don’t need to be expensive. Be thrifty with the packaging that already comes with your food shop. Clean and repurpose takeaway containers, jars and ice cream tubs.
What you’re looking for. The main quality you want from a meal prep container is something is sturdy, water tight and microwave safe. The rest is just extra.
Meal prep to save money
One of the perks of meal planning is the budgeting and money saving possibilities by only buying what you need and limiting waste.
Say, for instance, a Pret-A-Manger soup starts at £3.55, our recipe for lentil soup comes in at £1.76 per week. That’s a saving of £15.99 per week. Meal prep for the win!
Not only will you be saving money by making your own, but you’ll also start saving money on your food shop as a whole. Going in with a clear list and direction means you’ll stay on track and not be tempted by other bits and pieces you might otherwise have added to your basket.
Meal Prep: Where to start
Take stock. Have a little rummage around in your freezer, cupboards and fridge and list what you already have. You can either use this a basis to plan your weekly meals or as an addition to your chosen recipes.
Find some recipe inspiration. Dig out your recipe books, browse Pinterest and scroll though Instagram and make a list of recipes you want to make during the week.
Make a shopping list. Cross reference your stock list and recipes and then start forming your shopping list. Only add what you need and be exact with the measurements.
It doesn’t have to be a prescriptive as you think. You don’t necessarily need to theme each day, just make a rough plan as to what you want to cook for the week.
Time to start meal prepping
Right, this can be the scary bit. But do not fear, meal prepping does not have to be about blocking off a whole day to slave in the kitchen.
Tailor it to you. Even if you just want to bulk prepare veggies or carbs and then cook the other components fresh on the day.
Get savvy with use-by dates. Start off with the recipes which have ingredients that go off quickest in first. Try to use freezer ingredients later on in the week to minimise waste.
Batch cooking.Bulk cook several servings and then portion up and store in either the fridge or freezer.
Finally, enjoy! Let the beauty of meal prep give you more time to enjoy yourself during the week whilst still enjoying healthy and tasty meals.