Weekend Food Prep is definitely a concept to investigate if you find time to be your greatest obstacle to eating well. The key to healthy eating and living is to actively, rather than just mentally, plan on it! Planning and prepping in advance saves you from managing hunger and meal times impulsively with limited, cost driven food choices. The ultimate aim of Weekend Food Prep is to avoid the office canteen, the petrol station shop, the tearoom on the corner and the nearest fast food outlet or drive through. Putting yourself in this position is a recipe for sabotage. It is near impossible to find healthy food on the go and when you do the price tag more than likely steers you right back to the cheaper offerings devoid of nutrient value. Eating healthily is more achievable and more affordable when you plan and prepare your meals ahead of time.
In addition to time and cost saving, ahead of time food prep takes your focus away from food. You are far more likely to obsess about food if you do not know where, when or what your next meal is. Creating a security in your eating pattern will go a long way in the management of a healthier diet. Also, knowing dinner is half prepped will squash the temptation to stop for take out on the way home.
Dedicating an hour to Weekend Food Prep will ensure that you are able to prepare healthy meals and snacks even when time is limited during the week. You will be surprised at what you can prepare in advance and taking some time out to focus on nutrition yields results worth far more than the effort. You will be amazed at what you can achieve in an hour of food prep. Simply start with the meal you battle with most.
With great inspiration from my friend Cheryl at Dish & Delite and The Lean Green Bean, I have found that prepping for my lunches at the beginning of the week helps to maximize the diversity of nutrients and variety of lunch meals!
My Weekend Food Prep favourites:
- Frozen banana (a key to thick, creamy smoothies)
- Frozen lentils (a great addition to a chocolate smoothie)
- Boiled eggs for lunch boxes or post workout snacks
- Overnight oats
- Shredded lettuce for quick salad or sandwich prep
- Steamed corn on the cob for lunch boxes
- Hummus for crackers or baby carrots
- Chopped vegetables for roasting (my favourite way to enjoy vegetables)
- Vegetable Soup
- Marinated chicken breasts (more tender and tasty when grilled)
- Baby potatoes (freeze well, boil up a whole bag)
Follow my Pinterest Board: Food Prep for more inspiration!
