UNITED STATES—I’ve been working on something lately, eating healthy. In doing so, I’ve taken the adjustment of prepping meals in advance for an entire week. Why? It makes it so much easier to just store them, and then just pull those meals as you need them and pop them into the air fryer, microwave or oven. I thought this might be a costly initiative, but the reality is: not so much.
First, if you’re a protein lover, by a large package of whatever protein you’re planning to utilize. You can do enough meals for a week or maybe two weeks depending on the portions that you are planning to manifest. Then you might have veggies and a carb that you want to include with your meal. Ensure you purchase enough to cover all the meals you’re planning to craft. Here is a great tip to save money, purchase your veggies in a large package. Trust me you will not regret it because it will help you save a ton of money.
For me, I crafted a plan to do meal bowls involving chicken, brown rice, onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, black beans and guacamole. I know that might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but that is the cup of tea that works best for me. I’m getting veggies, I’m getting protein and veggies, and a carb that is healthy, might not be the healthiest, but I prefer brown rice compared to white rice. In addition, the black beans are another source of protein that is good for the body and provides plenty of fiber in the process as well.
At first I was planning on doing a burrito, and I still might do so, but I was trying to limit my carb intake. However, I have to think about rather a burrito can be frozen and easily reheated. I’m not so sure about that, but it is indeed something I’m considering, because that is another meal I can easily indulge in for lunch and dinner.
The key is ensuring you have the right storage containers that you use for meal prep that extends the life of what you cook. Rather you place in the refrigerator or freezer. It is a false myth that meal prep takes a long time; it does not. It all depends on what you’re cooking. If you get too elaborate yes, that can take longer, but if you keep the protein and the veggies simple, you can easily have enough meals for the entire week within 30 minutes to an hour, maybe 90 minutes tops.
To be honest I would rather spend 90 minutes crafting multiple meals, than 90 minutes for 1 meal that will be gone within 2 days. Think of meal prep this way. I can spend $20 and have enough meals for lunch all week, or I can spend $20 a day for lunch, which is easily $100 for the entire week. A full month you’re spending $300 to $400. That is not money well spent if we’re going to be honest, and the more you save, the better it becomes for you in the long run, health-wise and for your bank account.
Written By Jason Jones
