The benefits of meal prepping

How does saving money while losing weight sound? Too good to be true? What if I told you that in addition to this you also can eat whatever you want? Yeah, sounds way too good! It is, but it’s true!

How does saving money while losing weight sound? Too good to be true? What if I told you that in addition to this you also can eat whatever you want? Yeah, sounds way too good! It is, but it’s true! When you meal prep you have all the calories you’re allowed for that meal already prepared so you never overeat! You choose the meals, and you get to flavor it any way you want! Spend part of your weekend packaging and then relax all week knowing that you can clean your plate and the pounds will still melt off. Here’s how…

First, Pick Your Prep Day

Most people who start to meal prep do it on a Sunday. Prepping on a weekend day can be a fun event that includes the entire family, or a way to relax and focus on cooking. It helps that Sunday doesn’t interfere with your Friday and Saturday plans, and is hopefully close enough to the start of the week to prevent having food wasted later in the week.

Next, Know Your Numbers

Don’t even think about meal prepping until you know exactly how many meals you’re prepping for, and your daily caloric needs. Most people will figure out their calorie needs and break it up into three main meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and include at least two snacks. However, some people find that preparing only their lunch for each day of the week is sufficient, because they’re able to eat breakfast and dinner at home. Others have more success packing multiple daily meals for the entire week—or even all of their meals. Regardless of where you fall on the meal-prepping spectrum, choose a spot that sets you up for success and plan accordingly.

Then, Go Shopping

My recommendation is to mix and match from these categories:

·        Protein: Chicken breast, lean ground beef, pork tenderloin, flank steak, lean lunch meat (turkey breast, ham, or roast beef), low-fat beef jerky, and eggs. Also, make sure you read sodium levels. Too much sodium can lead to water weight gain and bloating – no thanks!

·        Carbohydrates: Oats, quinoa, couscous, brown rice, wild rice, whole-grain tortillas and grainy, seedy bread.

·        Healthy fats: Almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, peanut butter, almond butter, olive oil and coconut oil.

·        Flavors: I highly recommend Walden Farms brand sauces. They have magically formulated yummy flavors that are calorie and fat free! Since sauces can add a lot of extra calories make sure you read your labels – you want food to taste good without breaking your calorie bank. I also recommend Himalayan pink salt to up your intake of minerals that can be hard to get in your diet.

·        Dessert: I love it. Meal prepping dessert snacks ahead of time can really curb you from cheating. Whether you want a strawberry shortcake, a piece of chocolate cake, or a homemade dark chocolate, having it set aside as a snack (with the calories listed on it) will thrill your taste buds and still keep you on track.

·        Drink: Don’t drink your calories! I have a black coffee in the morning because I love coffee and refuse to give it up. If you have something you equally love – keep it! You’ll just make yourself miserable without it. Remember moderation and work within your calorie bank. Sometimes when you feel hungry, you’re really thirsty so keep a water bottle with you at all times. Skip diet drinks, and drink tea and flavored water with a dash of Stevia instead. I highly recommend the brand Pyure which seems to not have the after taste that some natural sugar alternative have.

You already know how many calories you have for each meal so it makes shopping easier. Buy enough for the entire week if possible and meal prepping will really help to save you time and money. No calorie counting or wondering what to eat when you’re at work, school, or when you’ve just woken up – just grab a bowl & go. All the work you’ve done beforehand will really pay off.

Check out these super cool meal prep 32 Ounce 1 & 2 compartment Bento Lunch Boxes with Lids from Glotoch Express for around $10 on Amazon.com. These boxes are stackable, reusable, microwave, dishwasher safe, freezer safe, and BPA free. This company has excellent customer service and if you should have any problems or questions Tylor is quick to help you out!

*I don’t receive any promotions or discounts for suggesting any of the mentioned companies – they’re all just really great companies.

No calorie counting or wondering what to eat when you’re at work, school, or when you’ve just woken up – just grab a bowl & go. All the work you’ve done beforehand will really pay off!