Step into Meal Prep: Understanding Meal Prep Basics (Part 1)

Welcome to the Step into Meal Prep series! Over the next few months, we will embark on a journey to simplify meal prepping and planning into manageable steps. Drawing from over a decade of experience, I will share tips and tools learned through trial and error. Just like an athlete starting tryouts, we will begin from the basics to build a strong foundation together.

As a parent, wife, and career woman who values physical, mental, and emotional well-being, I understand staying ahead of stressful situations is crucial. Planning and organizing are key to maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle for both you and your family.

What is Meal Prep?

Let’s begin by defining meal prep in its traditional sense. Meals refer to the food we eat, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Prepping involves planning ahead and having items readily available.

At its core, meal prep is about having a bunch of food ready to consume. It does not necessarily require meticulously portioned individual containers for each meal, despite what social media might suggest. Meal prep is a personalized practice, and what works one week may not work the next.

Step 1: Defining Meal Prep for your family and where to start

To determine what meal prep means for you and your family, consider the following questions:

1. Which meals do you struggle to eat consistently?

2. Which meals does your family depend on you to have prepared?

3. During which times of day or days of the week are you busiest?

Strategies for Meals You Miss Often

For meals that you find challenging to incorporate into your routine, it might be beneficial to pre-package them for convenience or explore ready-to-eat options. Maintaining a well-curated list of go-to meals that your family enjoys can be a game-changer in simplifying and organizing your meal planning process. Having a varied selection of tried and tested meals can not only save you time and effort, but also ensure that everyone will be fed and nourished.

Some of our favorite meals that can be quick to assemble and bring zero complaints 🙂

• Chicken Caesar Salads (or wrap version!)

• Frozen Meatballs and Pasta with Sauce

• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

• Rotisserie Chicken, Frozen Veggie, Mac and Cheese

• Shrimp Stir Fry

• Burgers

• Pizza and bagged salad (got to fit in those veggies!)

Identify Your Busy Seasons

Another area to customize your meal prep strategies, is to align quick meals with your busiest moments during the day or particularly hectic days of the week.

On crazy nights when time is limited and everyone is hungry, having staple foods on hand that you know your family will eat can be a lifesaver. Simple and versatile ingredients like pasta, canned tomatoes, frozen vegetables, and canned beans can come together quickly to create a satisfying meal. Keeping pantry items such as rice, quinoa, and various spices allows for endless combinations to cater to different tastes. By having these staples stocked in your kitchen, you can ensure that even on the busiest of nights, your family can enjoy a nourishing dinner without added stress on your part.

Next Steps

Identifying where you need support in your meal routine is a crucial first step towards establishing a more balanced and efficient approach to managing your family’s nutrition. By pinpointing the areas that require improvement or adjustment, you can tailor your strategies and solutions to better meet the needs of everyone involved, ultimately leading to a more streamlined and sustainable meal planning process for you and your loved ones.

In the next post, we will explore strategies to address common meal prep challenges. Stay tuned for actionable steps to enhance your meal prep journey.