How to Make the Most of Your Time
On busy weekdays, it can be hard to find the time to make a healthy, homemade meal. That’s where meal prep comes in. This convenient approach to mealtime involves preparing food in advance when you have time on your hands, so you won’t have to worry about it when the week gets busy. Read on to learn how to master meal prep and save your future self some time.
Meal prep can be used for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and even desserts and snacks. It typically looks like preparing food for the next two to four days, but dishes can also be frozen to last up to months longer. Meal prep can take two forms: prepping ingredients for use in future recipes or cooking multiple meals in one go.
Meal Prep
Meal prep can be used for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and even desserts and snacks. It typically looks like preparing food for the next two to four days, but dishes can also be frozen to last up to months longer. Meal prep can take two forms: prepping ingredients for use in future recipes or cooking multiple meals in one go.
Ingredient Prep
If you don’t have time to dedicate to making multiple dishes in one go, ingredient prep can also set you up for success come mealtime. This simply means preparing ingredients for use in future recipes. Ingredient prep can look like:
- Washing and chopping fruits and vegetables
- Mixing sauces, dips, or salad dressings
- Preparing proteins such as ground beef or shredded chicken
- Cooking grains and pastas
Getting Started
The following tips and tricks can help you get started as you find a routine that works best for you:
Plan ahead. Begin by creating a meal plan for the following week. This way, you can get all of your groceries at once and save money spent on unnecessary items. You can also coordinate to use the same ingredients across multiple recipes to cut down on your ingredient prep and reduce food waste.
Stock up on supplies. Use reusable, airtight containers and sealable bags to store your food and keep it fresh. Containers with dividers, such as bento boxes, are a handy option for pre-portioned dishes with sides or toppings.
Pick a day to prep. Many people choose Sunday to plan for the week ahead, but you can choose whichever day suits your schedule. Meal prep can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple hours, depending on how much you want to make.
Start small. To give yourself time to get used to meal prep, try choosing a meal or two before jumping into a full week’s worth. For example, make lunch for the next day or two or prep ingredients for an upcoming dinner. In no time, you’ll be a meal prep pro!
Safety First
When it comes to meal prep and storage, food safety is key. According to the USDA, you should
- Refrigerate or freeze cooked foods within two hours
- Keep your refrigerator set at 40° or below, and your freezer at 0° or below
- Use refrigerated leftovers within three to four days
- Use frozen leftovers within two to three months
- When reheating, ensure food reaches 165°
