How to Meal Prep
Meal prepping is a great way to set yourself up for success, but it can be daunting to get started. We’ve broken down 5 steps to get you started on your weekly meal prep.
Storing Your Meal Prep
First and foremost, you’re going to have to store all of that prepped food somewhere. We recommend getting glass tupperware containers for storage. This is important because storing food in plastic tupperware is estrogenic which can disrupt hormones and lead to body fat gain and inflammation.
How Often You Should Meal Prep
Schedule 2 days per week to prepare your meals. Schedule a time for these 2 days and put it in your calendar and take it seriously. Most people like a Sunday/Wednesday split. That way you are prepared for the start of the week and then have a day scheduled to prepare for the later half as well.
Keep it simple. Choose one pot dish and/or focus on one main dish. Make enough of that dish so it will last you 2-3 days. Make sure each week you are making different meals for variety! This is great mentally when adhering to a healthy, whole foods way of eating. Variety is the spice of life and it also keeps the gut microbiome diverse with different (good) gut bugs which means you’ll be healthier overall.
Choose Recipes You Enjoy
We want you to salivate at the food you’re going to eat at each and every meal. What’s the point of eating food if you’re not going to enjoy it?
Keep it Simple with Tools
The crockpot is a great tool to cook low and slow. Great cuts of meat for these are roasts, stew meant, pork shoulder, brisket, etc. Throw your cut of meat in the crockpot in the morning and it’ll be tender and ready to eat by dinner.
We always recommend cooking in either stainless steel frying pans or cast iron skillets. We avoid using the non-stick pans as these usually have toxic chemicals that leach into your foods while you cook. We love using cast iron skillets for cooking steaks and browning up some ground beef or turkey.
The easiest way to cook vegetables without adding any oils is using a steamer! It’s so simple – just fill with water, turn on, and let it cook the vegetables until tender.
Another great way to cook your vegetables is by using the air fryer! We love the air fryer for making crispy sweet potato fries. All you have to do is toss the sweet potato (or other vegetable of choice) in a little butter or avocado oil and cook at 350 degrees or above for about 20 minutes. Boom – easiest side dish of all time!
Our Favorite Meal Prepping Tools (summary):
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Crockpot
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Instapot
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Cast iron Skillet
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Steamer
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Air Fryer (optional)
Can I use a meal prep service?
Definitely! If you have the money to do so, go for it! Time is money after all. We recommend vetting your service, though.
Which meal prep services are the best?
There are a lot of great options out there. Look for services that provide full ingredient lists to ensure you aren’t overlooking any potential gut triggers or allergies. You’ll want to make sure they do not cut corners for cost and use vegetable oils in their recipes. We highly suggest finding a service that sources good quality meats and organic fruits and vegetables if possible.
Easy Meal Prep Ideas:
Ready to elevate your nutrition journey? Listen to our podcast, “Stronger Than Your Boyfriend,” for expert insights, then embark on our tailored nutrition program! Whether you seek workout tips or dietary support, we’ve got your back.
