What is Meal Prep and Why Adopt It?

Meal prep is a cooking method that involves preparing some or all of your meals in advance for several days, or even the entire week. The goal is to save time, eat healthier, and reduce food waste. By planning your meals, you avoid impulsive and often unbalanced choices, and you ensure you always have a healthy option on hand.

The advantages of meal prep are numerous:

• Time saving: No need to cook every day, you save precious time during the week.
• Healthier eating: You control the ingredients and portions, allowing you to eat a more balanced diet.
• Savings: By avoiding ready-made meals and restaurants, you reduce your food expenses.
• Reducing food waste: You use all the ingredients and avoid throwing away leftovers.
• Less stress: You no longer have to worry about what you are going to eat, which reduces the stress associated with meal preparation.

Key Steps to Successful Meal Prep

To succeed with your meal prep, it's important to follow a few key steps:

1. Planning: Define your meals for the week, taking into account your needs and preferences. Check out our recipes for inspiration.
2. Shopping list: Create a precise shopping list to buy only what you need.
3. Preparing the ingredients: Wash, peel and cut the vegetables, marinate the meats, etc.
4. Cooking: Cook dishes in large quantities, using healthy cooking methods such as steaming, oven or pressure cooker.
5. Portioning: Divide the dishes into individual portions and place them in airtight containers.
6. Storage: Store meals in the refrigerator (3-4 days) or in the freezer (several months).

Tips and Tricks for Optimal Meal Prep

• Choose recipes that are simple and quick to make.
• Vary the pleasures by offering different dishes each day.
• Use airtight containers of different sizes to facilitate storage and transport.
• Don't forget to label the containers with the preparation date and the name of the dish.
• Prepare simple side dishes such as rice, pasta, or steamed vegetables to complement your meals.

Simple and tasty recipes to get started with meal prep

Here are some easy recipe ideas for your first meal prep sessions:

• Quinoa salad with grilled vegetables and feta: A fresh, light and protein-rich dish.
• Vegetable curry with coconut milk and basmati rice: A comforting and flavorful dish.
• Roast chicken with herbs de Provence and potatoes: A timeless classic, easy to prepare in large quantities.
• Vegetable soup: An economical, nutritious and perfect option for cold days.

Mistakes to Avoid in Meal Prep

• Not planning your meals: Planning is essential for successful meal prep.
• Choosing overly complicated recipes: Opt for simple and quick recipes.
• Failure to comply with hygiene rules: Wash your hands and clean work surfaces before cooking.
• Not storing food properly: Use airtight containers and respect expiration dates.
• Not varying your meals: Variety is important to avoid boredom.