Meal Prepping is the key

It’s very important when trying to lose weight that you prep your meals otherwise you will fall into the trap of grabbing something quick and convenient but not necessarily healthy. Here are some top tips to help you.

Top tips to meal prep

Make homemade soup. This is easy and freezes well so make a large batch and freeze for later meals.
Trick yourself into feeling full by increasing the amount of vegetables that are on your plate, rather than trying to eat really small meals! You’ll feel like you’re eating a full-size meal and you’ll also be upping your fibre and nutritional content. This will make you feel fuller and not so deprived.
Try to add variety to your diet. Eating the same meals week in, week out can get boring and you’re more likely to fall off the healthy-eating bandwagon. Eat fruit and veg which is in season and swap brown rice for quinoa or buckwheat. Experiment with different spices. The more varied you can make your diet, the happier your taste buds will be.
You don’t have to meal prep for a whole week. This can seem quite a daunting task, so try 3 days at a time (this also prevents food sitting around waiting to be eaten). You get the most nutrients from food that is fresh. Meal prepping twice a week not only allows you to eat foods when they’re fresher, but it also gives you a chance to do a mid-week check in to assess if your meal plan is helping you reach your weight loss goals.
Proper portions are important in being successful on your fitness journey. Make sure you portion out your meals the night before then you can just grab it and go in the morning.
Cut corners to save time. When you’re too busy to meal prep from scratch, it’s fine to buy pre-packaged salads and pre-cut fruit. Keep berries, bananas and spinach in the freezer.
Chop veggies like cucumber, cauliflower, peppers, celery and carrots for snacking and keep them at the front of the fridge, not hidden at the back. You are more likely to eat them if they’re the first thing you see.
Make sure you prep for breakfast as well as lunch and dinner. Starting the day with a healthy protein-packed breakfast can keep you from getting too hungry and overeating at lunchtime. Similarly, having healthy snacks on hand can stop you reaching for empty calories from the vending machine when the midday slump hits.
Staying hydrated is a great weight-loss tool, but sometimes plain water can get a little boring. Prepare a couple of jugs of water infused with fruit such as lemon, berries or cucumber and mint and keep these in the fridge.
The first rule of meal prepping is to make a shopping list and to make sure that you do not stray from the list. You can’t eat what isn’t in the house!

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