7 Biggest Meal Prep Mistakes
Meal prep starts with the best intentions. You want to clean up your diet, eat healthily, reach your goals, and send your energy through the roof! But then … whomp whomp … it somehow goes wrong. You either don’t get the results you want OR you end up with a bunch of uneaten food that you toss in the trash, or both! Which can leave you feeling frustrated — and waste a lot of your time and money. That’s why I put together a list of the 7 biggest meal prep mistakes people make so you can avoid them.
But first, if you haven’t looked through your new Fast & Easy Meal Prep Recipes eBook yet… You can sign up for it here
Ok, here are the 7 biggest meal prep mistakes:
Making food you don’t enjoy.
Newsflash: you should LIKE the meals you’re planning and cooking! No seriously. As much as food is meant to nourish our bodies, it is also meant for enjoyment and dare I say it: celebration! I know this seems like a no-brainer but if you hate ground turkey, broccoli, or eggs, don’t include them in your meal prep. Choosing foods you know you’re going to eat will ultimately work in your favour because you will actually eat them.
“Winging” it.
You need a game plan for your meals before you go grocery shopping. Take a few minutes to sit down and plan your meals and snacks for the week ahead, and then check your pantry & refrigerator to make sure you have everything you need.
Quick tip: Order your groceries or use the app to fill your cart as your “list” . This makes it easy to cross reference that you’re buying what you need and cut down on the extra stuff.
Not balancing your meals.
This tip goes in line with the previous one. When we don’t have a plan, its hard to actually spend the time and brain power to get all the nutrients we need so that we feel good. Make sure you’re getting enough protein, healthy fats, and carbs to meet your goals. (I can help you with this.)
Not eating enough fruits & veggies.
The recommended amount is 5 servings (2 fruit, 3 vegs) a day. And yes… I’m not perfect at it either. However, I do find that if I eat 1-2 servings per meal, it’s much more attainable. This is also a simple way to help balance your blood sugars! By eating a low carb fruit or veggie at the beginning of your meal, you line your digestive tract with fiber and low your glucose absorption rate.
My go to: A bagged salad for lunch! Especially the chopped salads which have 4-8 servings of vegetables in one bag!! If you have one of those a day, you’re golden.
Not prepping snacks.
This is a big one. Plan for snacks AHEAD of time so you don’t have to tap into your willpower when hunger strikes! When possible, throw an apple or protein bar into your bag for on the go. When you are stuck on the go- start with protein and fibre! These foods will help keep you fuller, longer.
Making TOO much food.
Most of the food you make will only keep for a few days in the fridge. If you know you won’t be able to eat it all in time, freeze it as soon as possible after cooking for ultimate freshness and taste. Batch cooking saves so much time!!
And if you are one of those people who rarely ever eats the food you freeze… cut back on how much you prep.
Prepping only 1x a week.
Most people who prep their food on the weekend run out of food by Thursday or Friday. Plan ahead with a mini mid-week meal prep session to tide you over. Schedule 2 blocks a week where you can chop and possibly pre-cook some of your meals.
The common theme among all those mistakes? Planning! Having a game plan can make your life a LOT easier… and also give you a fridge full of food that you actually look forward to eating.
I hope this list helps you make the most of your meal prep. And if you’re still looking for ideas, make sure you download my Fast and Easy Meal Prep Recipes!!
