After two long years of working remotely and everything being put on hold due to the pandemic, life is finally returning back to normal. However, for many individuals, this means the days just got a whole lot busier. When we live a very busy lifestyle, we tend to disregard our nutrition and simply eat what is convenient and available at the moment. Unfortunately, this can lead to very bad eating habits, weight challenges, and health complications. Meal prepping has gained a lot of attention lately due to its usefulness and effectiveness in helping sustain a healthy eating regime during occupied days.
1) Meal prep ensures proper portion sizes and nutrition
Nowadays, restaurants and fast-food chains have increased their portion sizes. Hence, many are consuming more calories than needed on a daily basis. Planning your own food in advance aids in controlling your portion sizes, which assists in maintaining a healthy weight. Likewise, many restaurants often use poor-quality produce that is filled with preservatives and other chemicals in an attempt to save money. Preparing your own meals ensures you eat nutrient-dense and nourishing food as you know exactly what goes in your body.
2) You’ll save time and stress
We all have so many things to worry and think about, the last thing we need is to spend time deciding what we should have for dinner. When you plan your meals in advance, you eliminate that challenge and can go about your day knowing you have your dinner already made. All you need is to set aside a couple of hours one day a week to prep all your food, and you will be good for the week!
3) Meal prep helps save money
Having a plan for what you will eat during the week helps you be more intentional and careful with what you are purchasing at the store. Likewise, purchasing only what you need can help reduce food waste. On average, 58% of food produced in Canada is lost or wasted each year. This is problematic as food waste can have detrimental effects on the environment as it contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases.
4) You’ll develop a better relationship with food
When you meal prep, you acquire better knowledge about nutrition, the importance of food, and what food your body needs. Likewise, when you stick to a consistent eating schedule, you eat only when you’re hungry as opposed to when you’re simply bored.