Creating a balance between work and a healthy lifestyle can be challenging. If you're one of many working from home this year, it may seem like the work never stops. By the time you get done with work, it's time to make dinner, eat and go to bed, only to do the same thing the next day. Setting aside time to create healthy meals might not seem possible right now. If that's the case, then meal prepping may be just the solution you're looking for. Planning and preparing healthy meals ahead of time can simplify your cooking process allowing it to work with your schedule. Keep reading to learn more about how to meal prep for work and its many benefits.
What Is Meal Prepping?
If you've read this far and are still wondering, "what is meal prepping," let us explain. Meal prepping is a way to describe various food preparation methods. Essentially, it's a time that you set aside to plan out and prep breakfast, lunches and dinners that you'll be eating the following week.
Different Types of Meal Prep
While there are many different types of meal prep, the most common include:
Batch Cooking
Batch cooking is when you double up on large recipes like this Classic Vegetable Soup to freeze and save for later.
Pre-portioned Meals
Another form of meal prep is when you create full meals that are pre-portioned and divided into containers ahead of time. Preparing these meals in advance makes it easier to grab them and go during the week.
Ingredient Prepping
One of the simplest ways to meal prep is to prep all the ingredients in your fridge for the recipes you plan to make. This prep includes chopping, peeling, slicing and roasting foods ahead of time and using them during the week.
Who Does Meal Prepping Benefit?
Meal prep can benefit nearly everyone, especially those who tend to busy schedules throughout the week. A busy work week and home life can make it challenging to find the time to create healthy meals. Meal prep looks different for everyone and should be adjusted to fit your unique schedule. Some people may plan out and portion all of their meals for the week, while others will cook two to three days of lunches at a time. It's crucial first to experiment and find out what works best for you and your schedule.
How to Meal Prep for Work
Find High-Quality Food Containers
Whether you work out of an office or at home, you'll want to use a quality food storage container when meal prepping for work. Doing so will enable you to keep prepared food hot (or cold) and fresh until you're ready to enjoy it. Additionally, look for storage containers that are easy to wash or dishwasher friendly. This will minimize clean up, and help you get ready for the next week.
Choose a Few Recipes to Build Your Menu Around
When first starting, choose simple recipes that include similar ingredients. By focusing on comparable recipes, you can make sure the grocery list doesn't get out of hand and that you're only shopping for the essentials. Take inventory of what you have, and then head to the grocery store to purchase anything that's missing.
A couple of our favorite meal prep recipes include:
Creamy Lentil Soup
The ideal way to warm up on a chill day, this Creamy Lentil Soup is easy to meal prep. Make the soup in large batches and freeze until you're ready to eat!
13 Bean Chili
Craving a classic comfort? Prep this 13 Bean Chili to enjoy throughout the week. A meal that will quickly transport your taste buds to a backyard summer barbeque, it's easy to make and full of tasty ingredients like beans, ground beef and chili powder.
Prep Snacks Ahead of Time
Meal prep doesn't just include meals. Making healthy snacks that you can grab on the go is an essential part of sticking to a healthy diet. By creating or stocking up on healthy snacks for work or errands that you love, like Bob's Bars, you'll ensure that you always have something nutritious to reach for. Healthy snacks like these will help keep you full until your next meal and prevent you from reaching for sugar-filled options.
Schedule Time for Meal Prepping
Meal prepping cuts down on the amount of time you spend each week cooking. However, it does require that you set aside some time throughout the week. Dedicate a few hours one or two days a week to cook and prep your meals. Focus on recipes that you can make in large batches and designate days that work around your schedule. The best meal prepping program is the one that works for you!
Cook Recipes That You'll Eat
Creating healthy, well-balanced meals is essential. That being said, you want to make sure you're choosing recipes that you'll actually eat. As long as your meals are nutritious, you don't have to stray too far from your comfort zone when meal prepping. Delicious comfort food favorites like Beef and Vegetable Hand Pies can be premade and stored throughout the week until you're ready to eat.
Once you get the hang of it, meal prepping is an excellent way to promote healthy eating habits and free up some time in your busy schedule. Use the tips and tricks on this list to help you create a meal prep menu that your coworkers will envy. We can't wait to see what you cook up. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, happy meal prepping!
