4 TIPS TO MEAL PREP LIKE A PRO

Are you constantly finding yourself in a ‘what’s for dinner’ dilemma?

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Cooking (and the dreaded meal planning) for the week can easily be described as a full-time job. Don’t fret, we have four handy tips to help you (and your wallet) with your meal preparation for the week.

BUT WAIT, WHAT (ACTUALLY) IS MEAL PREPARATION?
Meal prep is planning, buying (or using ingredients already in your pantry) and cooking your meals for the rest of the week.

PLANNING IS KEY
Planning is the most important part of successful meal preparation. Start by working out just a few simple meals and snacks for the week. You can always build on your menu when you raid your pantry (and those shopping flyers for food specials) to see where those ingredients will lead you. Want a top tip for planning? Keep your pantry organised. This way you always know what you have available, and you can avoid unnecessary costs at the grocery store (looking at you, chicken stock at the back of the cupboard).

SHOP YOUR PANTRY FIRST
Take inventory of the ingredients you already have at home. Check out your pantry, freezer and fridge to see what you have in stock and plan your meals around that first. Only after can you start a grocery list to get all the other items needed to whip up those yummy meals for the week. Have a surplus of rice in your kitchen cupboard and chicken in your freezer? Portuguese chicken with rice and chicken burrito rice bowls are two winning meals to add to your weekly menu – as you’ll already own two of the main ingredients.

USE WEEKENDS FOR BATCH COOKING
Put your weekends to good use to ensure a smoother week. Set aside 2–3 hours on a Sunday to clean and cook your meat, and wash and chop the vegetables you’ll need for the menu you’ve worked out. Not only will meal prepping alleviate cooking fatigue for the rest of the week, it will also prevent you from getting take-aways, ensuring that you stay within your weekly grocery budget. Prepping your food over the weekend when you have time will also ensure that you make better and more nutritious choices when it comes to your eating habits.

STOCK UP ON STORAGE CONTAINERS
After cooking up a storm, it’s crucial that you have enough storage containers (and freezer space) to store your weekly meals at once. Easy-to-clean and leak-proof containers are perfect to pack your individual lunches and to keep your food fresh (and nasty bacteria at bay). If possible, opt for glass containers which are eco-friendly, microwave safe, and you can see what’s inside!