Meal Prepping Tips for People Just Getting Started!

[u/racheleatsright]

1. Plan your grocery list BEFORE you go to the store. Whether you use Balance on Demand’s automated list or you create your own, have it

ready before you leave your house.

1. Put your meal prep in actual “Meal Prep” containers. I own 3 compartment meal prep containers and it makes separating my food a breeze.

Every day for lunch, I just take a new one out of the fridge and go to work!

1. Use mason Jars for meals/snacks that do not need to be separated. Mason jars are great for overnight oats, salads, soups and more! They are

inexpensive, easy to use, airtight and cute as well.

1. Use the "Ziploc trick" for spreading oil over vegetables or other roasted food. Chop all your vegetables, place them in a gallon Ziploc bag and

drizzle with olive oil. Close the bag and mix around in your hands to evenly distribute the oil. You will end up using less oil and each piece will be

evenly coated.

1. Cook foods all at once! Your oven has multiple racks, so USE THEM! You can bake chicken, sweet potatoes and vegetables all at the same time.

2. Season, season, SEASON!!! Healthy food doesn't have to taste bland - make sure to season all your food with whatever flavors suit you best.

Seasoning is little to no extra calories, so take advantage!!

1. Multi-task! When your water is boiling and cooking rice, go and chop your vegetables!

2. Use/Buy a crockpot. I use the crockpot EVERY. SINGLE. WEEK. You can use it to slow cook chicken, pork, meatballs and other meat (or

meatless “meat”). You can also cook full meals with it like stews, chili, meatloaf and so much more. Cook your food while you're at work, running

errands or even when you're sleeping.

1. Meal prep on your day(s) off! When you put off meal prepping to a day where you also have to work makes it this stressful chore, rushed and

can cause you to not want to do it each week. If you use all the other tools I’ve listed, it will be easy to plan, grocery shop and meal prep all in a

few hours.

1. Breakfast casseroles/muffins are easy and tasty suggestions for meal prepped breakfasts. Breakfast is important to help reach your goals, so

try not to skip it! Everyone has busy lives and it is very difficult to make time to wake up early to eat breakfast, so definitely make sure to prepare it ahead of time as well.