But one thing I’m committed to for 2023 is my goal to cook more food at home. This is where these easy meal prep ideas come into play. Each of the great tips outlined below will help make the art of home cooking easier than ever, and will also help you squeeze more heart-healthy protein and fiber into your diet. Ready to do it? Say with us: we got this.
4 easy meal prep ideas to make healthy meals at home easy
1. Preparation of materials
Known as one of the life-saving techniques chefs use in restaurant kitchens to get food on the table quickly and neatly, misan placeA French phrase meaning ‘put everything in place’, it refers to the simple task of setting up a workstation and gathering ingredients and tools ahead of time (yes, before you actually start cooking). ). The key is to read the recipe ahead of time and wash, trim, chop, weigh, and chop your ingredients before jumping into the cooking process. This is especially useful for those who want to prepare meals ahead of time for a busy week.
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Once you have a meal plan for the week (see how the RD recommends doing this here), prepping all the ingredients at once saves a lot of time preheating the oven. For example, pre-cutting vegetables, fruits, etc. at once in all recipes and then dividing them when ready to use is a great way to start. Preparing all the dishes at the same time is efficient.)
You can also pre-boil it. This means that the food (usually vegetables) is partially cooked or boiled until slightly softened, and the cooking is completed later.
2. Cook breakfast in bulk ahead of time
We have learned that breakfast is probably the most important meal of the day. This means that when it comes to food prep, making sure you’re ready is paramount so that there’s no excuse to skip breakfast anytime.
Start batch cooking. Making breakfast ahead of time can be the answer to the frantic outing rush in the morning. Some recipes we love to batch cook include overnight oats (filled with flavor, fiber, and protein). Homemade granola bars, smoothie cups, egg muffins, and his yogurt parfaits are also delicious, heart-healthy breakfast recipes if you make them ahead of time.
3. Incorporate meals that can be stored in the freezer or refrigerator
Frozen food is nothing to be ashamed of. Especially these days, so many health-conscious food brands offer endless nutritional options. , gluten, and made without soy), with a whopping 23 grams of protein per serving. And when paired with pre-cooked brown rice or frozen peas, you’ll have a balanced, nutritious dinner ready in no time.
4. Shop at the grocery store’s canned goods section
Keeping canned foods like tuna and beans in your cupboard at all times can speed up meal prep. They can last in your pantry for years. It’s convenient, heart-healthy, and sustainable (and can be made using canned fish). many It’s not just a delicious tuna salad sandwich).
RD explains how to eat for optimal energy.
