Are you looking for an easy way to make eating healthy a part of your gym routine? Meal prepping is the answer! It's one of the most efficient ways to ensure you get all of the nutrients and energy you need to keep up with your fitness goals.
The benefits of training are well-known, but as the saying goes ‘you can’t train a bad diet’. A good meal plan will help fix your diet into place, letting you have productive workouts that will make a difference. But if you're new to meal prepping, it can be overwhelming.
That's why we've put together this guide to meal prep made easy! In it, we'll show you how to plan, shop for, and prepare meals that will help power your workouts - without taking up too much time or effort. So let's get started on this journey towards healthier habits and better results!
Benefits Of Meal Prep
Meal prepping can be a great way to save time and money, while also making sure you're eating healthy. There are many benefits to incorporating meal prep into your routine, such as the convenience of having meals already prepared for the week and being able to control what goes into your meals.
The first benefit of meal prepping is that it saves time in the long run. By shopping for all of your ingredients in advance and preparing multiple meals at once, you'll have more time in the future to dedicate to other activities or projects. This is especially helpful if you have a busy lifestyle.
Another advantage of meal prepping is that it allows you to control your portions and make healthier choices. When you buy individual ingredients rather than processed foods, you can control how much fat, sugar, salt, and other unhealthy additives are going into each dish. Additionally, by making food in bulk, you can save money on groceries since buying in bulk often costs less than buying individual items.
Meal prepping is also great for those who are trying to lose weight or build muscle as it makes it easier to track calorie intake and macros (proteins, carbs, fats). It also helps fuel your workouts, whether it’d be Crossfit or weightlifting as you’ll have a meal ready an hour or two before you train.
Planning And Shopping For Meals
When it comes to meal prepping, the key is planning ahead and having the right ingredients on hand. The first step is deciding what meals you want to make for the week. You can look up healthy recipes online or come up with your own ideas based on what ingredients you have in your pantry.
Once you have a list of meals, it's time to go grocery shopping. Make sure that you are selecting nutritious foods such as lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats. It's also important to read labels when grocery shopping so that you can avoid unhealthy additives like added sugars and preservatives as well as identify high-calorie foods.
After completing your grocery run, it's time to get cooking! Depending on how much time you have available, you may want to dedicate an entire day to meal prep or do it in stages over a few days. Before getting started, lay out all of your ingredients so that everything is ready to go.
When cooking multiple meals at once, be sure to practice good hygiene practices by washing dishes and utensils between each meal. It's also helpful if you prepare food for the entire week so that all of your meals are ready ahead of time and easily accessible in the fridge or freezer when needed.
Recipes For Pre-Workout Meals
Now that you’ve gotten the basics of meal prep, let’s explore some delicious pre-workout meals! Eating a healthy meal before hitting the gym is essential for maintaining energy levels and providing your body with nourishment. Here are some nutritious, easy-to-make recipes that will fuel your workouts:
1) Overnight Oats: Start by combining 1 cup of oats, 1/2 cup of almond milk, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Mix well until combined and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, top with your favorite fruits and nuts for a protein boost.
2) Turkey Wrap: Spread hummus on a whole wheat wrap and layer with thinly sliced turkey breast, bell peppers, spinach leaves and feta cheese. Roll up tightly and enjoy!
3) Egg Muffins: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a muffin tin with cooking spray or oil. Whisk together 6 eggs in a bowl along with diced vegetables of your choice (spinach, onions, mushrooms). Pour into muffin tins until 3/4 full and bake for 15 minutes or until cooked through. Serve warm or cold as a snack or meal on-the-go!
How Can I Make Meal Prep Easier?
First, it's important to plan ahead and create a schedule for yourself. Identifying what meals you'll cook in advance will help ensure that you have all the ingredients on hand and that your meals are consistent with your goals. Additionally, planning out what groceries to buy each week will ensure that you don't end up without any necessary items or wasting food by buying too much of something.
Second, create a grocery list before heading out to the store. This saves time at the store and well keeps costs lower since you won't be picking up unnecessary items. Additionally, check your pantry beforehand so that you know exactly what ingredients or staples that you need for your recipes. That way, when it comes time to start prepping, all the items needed are easily accessible and ready for use.
Finally, take advantage of convenience options when possible such as pre-cut vegetables or ready-made sauces or dressings. These can save both time and money in the long run since they eliminate some of the prep work involved in cooking from scratch. By utilizing these shortcuts but still focusing on nutritious ingredients, creating meals is faster and easier than ever before!
Conclusion
Meal prepping can be a great way to maintain a healthy diet and stay on track with your fitness routine. With proper planning, you can make sure that you are making the most of the time and energy you put into meal prep.
As long as you’re sticking to a healthy, balanced diet while meal prepping, I know you’ll have enough fuel to keep up with my fitness goals. Meal prepping isn't always easy, but it's worth it!