How to Meal Prep Like a Pro When You’re Constantly on the Move

Leading a busy life doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice health and nutrition. On the contrary, you can still eat healthy, delicious foods even when you’re constantly on the move. It’s all about meal prep. If you’re new to meal prepping, it may seem like a lot – but it can actually save you a huge amount of time in the long term. With the right introduction and guidance, it’s a breeze. Here’s how you can meal prep like a pro even when you’re constantly on the move: 

The Art of Planning

The first step of meal prep is planning, and it requires more than a last-minute trawl through your kitchen. Start by building a list of healthy and easy-to-prepare meals. Where possible, pull recipes that share fresh ingredients to reduce costs and minimize wastage. For example, if a recipe calls for fresh yellow onions, find another recipe as well that uses the remainder of the onion batch.

After you’ve settled on the recipes, break them down into ingredients, and jot down everything you need in a shopping list. By bulk-shopping for your meal prep only once a week, you’ll save time and money.

Meal Prep 101

Now to the main event: the meal prep itself. Choose a day when you have a few hours to devote to this. For most people, it’s during the weekend, but go for it whenever it works for you. A good method is to batch cook – prepare large quantities of meals and divide them into portions suitable for individual consumption. 

Invest in durable, reusable, and microwave-safe containers. Different compartments can be useful to keep the portions separate. Using containers of the same shape and size also makes it easier to stack and store them in your fridge or freezer effectively.

Cooking Where It Counts

Smart cooking requires a tiered approach. Start with dishes that take the longest to cook and can be left alone for a while. This includes slow-roasted meats, stews, or rice. While these are cooking, you can prepare other dishes that require more hands-on time, such as stir-fries or grilled veggies.

As much as possible, aim for a combination of protein, carbohydrates, and veggies in each meal. This ensures a balanced diet and keeps you full for longer. For example, pair chicken breast with brown rice and steamed broccoli, or mix up a chickpea salad with quinoa and various greens. Easy and filling, and much better for you than fast food!

The Secret of Snacks

Even with the best intentions, we’re all prone to occasional snack-cravings. Rather than reaching for the packaged goods, consider prepping snacks as well. This could be as simple as chopping up carrots and cucumbers, or making a batch of hummus. 

Alternatively, take advantage of fruits (which nature has conveniently packaged for us). Apples, bananas, and oranges make easy on-the-go snacks without needing any refrigeration. For something more substantial, homemade granola bars can be prepped in advance and kept for when your energy levels are running low.

Housekeeping Rules

Make sure that you label your meals with the date prepared and a brief description if necessary, as it helps you keep track of the meals and their freshness. Make it a rule to eat the oldest meals first; it prevents them from going bad and reduces wastage.

If space in your fridge is running low, freeze meals that you won’t consume within the week. They can slowly defrost in your fridge during the week when you’re ready to eat them. 

Conclusion

Meal prep isn’t just a trend; it’s a lifestyle habit that champions the creed of healthy eating without sacrificing convenience. While it can be a daunting prospect initially, the long-term benefits in terms of health, time, and cost savings are significant. So, sharpen those kitchen knives, dust off that slow cooker, and get ready to meal prep like a pro, even if you’re constantly on the move!