I understand the struggles of finding the time and motivation to eat healthier. Unhealthy food, processed food, fast food restaurants are quicker and more convenient. BUT . . . we truly and honestly will feel so much better physically and mentally when we avoid that stuff or at least cut it back.
Even with the busiest schedules, we can make eating healthy work if we make it a priority. It might involve changing our schedules around a bit or cutting back on another activity AND learning to say no to others more. Following these suggestions can help free up your time along with doing some meal prepping.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t get to do this every week, but I try to do it as much as I can and I’m always grateful when I do. Plus, it saves me money in the long run by not eating out as much.
I do my meal prepping on the weekend as that is when I usually have more time. This is what my meal prepping usually involves:
1. Vegetables: Cleaning and cutting up a variety of vegetables. I do this so that they are ready to go for salads, smoothies and other side dishes. I like to do this with peppers, onions, cucumbers, mushrooms, Zucchini, squash, etc. I always have spinach on hand for salads and smoothies. (See photo below.)
2. Canned food: I usually buy canned artichokes, black olives, chick peas, and bags of cut carrots so these don’t require any work. (Tip: If you prefer to buy canned fruits and veggies, try to get canned fruit in 100% juice and canned vegetables with no added salt. These are healthier options.)
3. Fruit: In the winter, I buy frozen bags of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and peaches, and I buy cuties, apples, and bananas a lot. I usually freeze a couple of bananas when I buy them so they can be ready to go in my smoothies. Not much prepping involved there. I use my apple slicer to save some time on cutting up my apples to put in yogurt or oatmeal. (I love that thing!) I do like to buy mango and kiwi sometimes, too, for something different and I save these for the weekend. I also like to freeze slices of mango to make some homemade Froyo that my daughter loves. 😃
4. Eggs: I boil eggs on the weekend and have hard-boiled eggs ready to go for salads and snacks. I use my egg slicer a lot as it saves me time.
5. Protein: I grill boneless, skinless chicken breast and salmon on my George Foreman Grill and wrap these in Saran Wrap to have them ready to go for salads or to heat in the microwave as a main course. I just use some olive oil, garlic powder and pepper for seasoning and they’re ready to go.
6. Breakfast: I’m a huge fan of oats (as you can tell from my recipe posts). I love them for their health benefits, cost, and the fact they fill me up longer. I make overnight oats during the week because you prep them in a jar the night before and the next morning you can just add some yogurt, fruit, nuts and/or nut butter to them and they are quick, nutritious, and delicious. (When you can, try to use all natural peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or Sunbutter for healthier options.)
7. I also eat toast for breakfast during the week. You can really jazz up a piece of toast to make it healthy and filling. Watch my posts for recipes. I usually buy whole grain white or wheat bread.
8. Snacks: Other snack options are popcorn and nuts which are ready to go with no prepping needed. They have fiber and protein and will fill you up longer. I also make my own trail mix for a snack option. I usually use yellow raisins, raw almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds and some dark chocolate chips. I’ll make enough to last me for a couple of weeks.
9. I like to buy avocados 🥑 and pomegranates on occasion. These are a little more costly but so nutritious and yummy. I use avocado in salads, smoothies and I like to make chicken and tuna avocado salad and eat it on a bed of spinach or on a pita. I use pomegranate arils on toast and overnight oats a lot.
10. Freezing Food: I do utilize my freezer a lot, too. This will help things keep longer and I can prep even further in advance this way. I like to use my freezer for any soups I might make over the weekend. I don’t do this often but when I do, I make a lot so it will last throughout the week.
I hope this helps give you some ideas. You may come up with other ideas that work better for you.
takegoodcareofyou.blog 