Lose Weight Fast with These 5 Simple Meal Prep Tips
Are you food-prepping but having a hard time? A few simple tweaks can make the process so much easier, according to one expert. Sarah Bouchard is a Nutrition Coach & Educator who helps women over 35 "ditch diet confusion & simplify nutrition" for "Sustainable fat loss + healthy body composition," she explains in her Instagram bio. In a new post, she tackles the topic of food prep. "5 food prep hacks that make your life easier," she writes across the Instagram video.
You Have to Be Intentional If You Want to Reach Your Protein Goals
"News Flash: Not a single woman in her 30's reaches her protein goals by accident," she writes in the post. "If you 'don't have time' for food prep, you need to reorganize your life (and this is not an invitation to see who has the busiest life. I know you're busy). It's also very likely that you need to make food prep a lot more simple. Here are the things I do each week to set myself up for success."
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Stock Your Fridge
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Her first tip is to keep your fridge stocked. "Have some items that require no prep at all, like Costco's cooked chicken breast, guacamole & pico de gallo]. Buy frozen veggies and freeze some proteins to have some back-ups!" she writes.
Choose One Breakfast and One Lunch
Next, choose one breakfast and one lunch. "Those food plans with a million ingredients and a different meal every day of every week? Nobody has time for that. I eat the same breakfast every day [Protein pancake recipe in my Costco List) and two variations of one bowl all week, and if I'm tired of it the next week, I switch!" she recommends.
Make a Big Sunday Dinner and Have Lunches for Days
Making a big dinner on Sunday can translate to having lunches for days. "We typically make a large batch of what we'll be having for lunch all week and eat it as our Sunday night dinner. Cook once, eat multiple times," she reveals.
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Mix and Match
Mix and match your prepped food for variation. "If you like variety and get tired of foods fast, cook 2-3 separate types of proteins, 2-3 different starches, a few different veggies and condiments, and mix & match. For example, I usually have cooked chicken breast, extra lean gb, potatoes, winter squash, rice, coleslaw, salsa, and guac ready to roll," she writes.
Have a Backup Plan
Lastly, always have some backups. "You'll probably have days where you just end up with nothing prepped, but that doesn't mean you need to make poor decisions. Another part of planning is planning what to do in hectic situations. Look at some local menus or local grocery stores and have some go-to's for when there is a problem. You can still prioritize protein & fiber in a pinch! Remember that the more prepared you are, the less you have to rely on willpower," she concludes. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss I'm a Nutritionist and Here Are 25 Weight Loss Truths You Need to Hear.
