Is Weekly Meal Prep For You? Why Meal Prepping Simply Works
By: Laura M. Howell
“By Failing to prepare you are preparing to fail.”This is one of those annoying quotes that people like to say to make you feel in adequate. But, like many overused quotes it's actually true. In a perfect world we would have all the time to make healthy, interesting meals that look as good as they taste. But like most perfect world scenario‘s the reality is far from the truth. The more likely scenario: you're rushing out the door grabbing whatever form of overly processed carbohydrates is the closest to the keys with the only plan for the rest of the day (as far as food is concerned is to grab something wherever you’re at). You actually can survive like this, but you’re likely not surviving well. You’re probably spending way too much money on eating food out, not reaching your health goals and wasting valuable energy feeling guilty about not eating healthier. Are you a failure? No, you’re a human who's living a very busy, hectic life. And to be honest, you don’t have time to prepare healthy, interesting meals that actually look as good as they taste everyday. You’re a human who's living a very busy, hectic life. You probably don’t have time to prepare healthy, interesting meals that actually look as good as they taste everyday. But, you but you may have a few hours one day a week that you can set-aside to prepare multiple healthy meals that could possible last all week if prepped right. The fact that it is possible to take only a few hours at the beginning of the week to prepare a weeks worth of meals is just one of the many reasons why meal prepping simply works.
Is Meal Prepping For You?
Meal prepping simply works but it's not for everyone. If you genuinely love cooking and you actually do have the time for it then meal prepping may not be for you. Also, if you get really sick of eating the same thing relatively fast, meal prepping may not be for you. Meal prepping does introduce repeat meals. Most people naturally will eat about the same foods each day. With a set meal prepping plan there’s a lot of duplication which does simplify the cooking but can be boring for some people. You don’t have to make the same meals each week of course, but because you are trying to save time there will be several meals that are about the same as the day before. Also, most meal prepping is not gourmet. We’re talking about simple, clean and nutritious foods with minimal processing that are usually under five ingredients. This is not food that you would see on the Cooking Channel. But, planned nutritious meal prepping will help you to feel healthier, have more time with your loved ones, cut-out mindless snacking and eliminate unnecessary mind-clouding food guilt. And those are just a few reasons why meal prepping simply works.
Portion control is a big part of why meal prepping simply works. Find out more about portion control from this article in the "Learning Center": PORTION SIZE VS. SERVING SIZE: WHAT YOU’RE EATING AND WHAT YOU SHOULD BE EATING
5 Reasons Meal Pepping Is Not For You
- You love to try new recipes at least twice a week.
- You're already reaching your weigh-loss and health goals with your current food plan.
- Going out for meals is something you need to do several times a week.
- You have no desire to bring food with you every time you leave the house.
- Your weekends are so slammed you can't even take 2-hours to prepare food (even for the week ahead).
5 Reasons Meal Prepping IS For You
- You have no time to cook during the week.
- You often skip meals or over-eat later due to hunger and cravings.
- You don't care about food variety- you just want real, lasting results.
- You feel portion control is a major factor to not meeting your weight-loss goals.
- You often feel remorse about your food choices and the amount you consumed.
Need ideas for your healthy "prepped" afternoon snack? Check out this article in the "Learning Center":
10 HEALTHY SNACKS TO EAT IN THE AFTERNOON.
The Cheat Meal
Meal prepping simply works and so do cheat meals. This is actually a real thing. The fun part of eating super-healthy during the week is giving yourself a free meal. Heck, you’ve earned it. This is a time for you to set aside all the healthy meals that you’ve consumed during the week and focus on what you really want. Examples of *quality* cheat meals include: pizza, large portions of pasta, a burger and fries and don't forget the desert. Because you’re eating so clean for the majority of the week a cheat meal has zero negative effects on your goals. The important thing is that you see your cheat meal to just that- one meal. In order to have the cheat meal work for you you nee to follow these rules:
- Keep the cheat meal to 1 meal not 1 day.
- Get right back on track with your clean prepped eating after the meal.
- Keep 100% on plan for all of your meals- the cheat meal is the only exception.
- Make the cheat meal amazing so it serves its purpose as a cravings killer.
- Get a good workout in the following day so you can put all those glorious carbs to work!
So is Meal prepping for you? I have no idea, but I hope I've offered some insightful information to help you decide if meal prepping is in your future!
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