If you’re looking for the latest trend in health and wellness, look no further than Meal Prep. If you haven’t heard of MP before, it’s essentially the art of preparing bulk meals ahead of time (i.e. for the week) and dividing them into controlled portions. Over the last 6 months, MP has become hot topic of conversation in circles of all types and is gaining quite a lot of traction with people of all sorts, from regular folks just looking to stay healthy to fitness professionals coast to coast.
Though for some, athletes or otherwise, the thought of stuffing your fridge with repetitive meals seems a little mundane. Even worse, the rumors of spending a fortune on those little containers, and finding time to slay over chopped vegetables all day long seems almost unobtainable. For those of you thinking like this, we’ll feel ya. We’ve been down this road, too. But for the uninitiated, here are a few things to consider when it comes to adding a meal prep discipline to your life:
1. EAT HEALTHY. Though it seems obvious, meal prepping gives you the benefit of eating healthy without having to think about it all that much. For most, deciding between a salad or fries as you rush through the drive through line to make it back to work is all too familiar. Meal prepping gives you the chance to learn what is healthy and eliminates the temptation of straying.
2. CUT THE WASTE. Everyone is guilty of those spur of the moment purchases that end up in your trash weeks later. Knowing exactly what you are going to cook helps eliminate buying unneeded items and keeps a little extra money in your pocket on the way out.
3. SAY GOODBYE TO GROCERY STOPS. There might be nothing worse than sitting in rush hour traffic only to realize you forgot a single side for dinner. The thought of pulling into that packed parking lot again is just too much. By planning out what you are eating for the week you can go to the store prepared, and leave knowing you have everything needed for the week.
4. ACCOUNTABILITY. Even if we try our hardest to be healthy, getting in all that’s necessary is difficult to do. Sites like Daily Burn have great beginner ideas and plans for packing in all the nutrients needed and keep you on your toes.
5. IT’S THE TIME. Not only is there no better day than this one to start being a healthier, but meal prepping is actually on your side. Think of all the time you spend contemplating what to eat. Where to go. How far away your restaurant of choice is. Think of all that, and then think of the few hours on Sunday it takes to make all your meals for the week. Time being of the essence makes Meal Prep something worth considering.
