Meal Prep Part 1: Plan of Attack

This is part 1 of a multi-part series that will cover the ins and outs of meal prep.  The first step to successful meal prep is planning.  There are multiple ways to meal prep; however, you need to choose what will best suit you.  I will mention three common methods.  You can feel free to alter, combine and adjust the methods as you see fit.

The first thing you should do regardless of which method you do is to plan out what you are going to eat.  Take time to sit down and think of what you will eat for the week.  Establish a grocery list and whether you are planning for the week, two weeks, a month or etc.  After making a grocery list, you can then choose your methods.

 

Method 1: Cook for the week on one day

The most common meal prep is cooking all of your meals for one week (or duration of your choosing).  This is probably the most disciplined way to meal prep because everything is prepared for the week and you have less risk of finding an excuse not to follow your meal plan.

Method 2: Cook for the week on multiple days

If you are like me, then you may not like reheating food.  So I have two days a week where I cook food that I wouldn’t mind reheating later in the week.  For example, my two cooking days are usually Sundays and Wednesdays/Thursdays.

Method 3: Cook everyday

Again, I don’t like reheating foods so this is also a common method for me.  Depending on the type of food and the way it is prepared, you may want to cook the food everyday.  For instance, if I buy pre-marinated frozen meats I tend to cook those foods the day of, so that it is cooked fresh.

Next week I’ll give you insight into what my grocery list looks like and how I do an example meal prep week.

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