Marlow Cottage

I’ve been meal prepping for over a year now, solidly. I’m a routine lover, but I find if life gets in the way of a routine, I fall off the wagon easily and it can take a while for me to get back on. Although meal prepping does take a bit of planning and time, once you get into a rhythm, it does help with decision fatigue, is more cost effective, and actually saves you time. Here’s how I have managed to stick to it.

My best tips for meal prepping

1. Allocate a time slot
2. Make a meal prep list
3. Get inspired and find some recipes ideas
4. Align grocery day with meal prep day

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1. Allocate a time slot

For me this has been one of the most important things for sticking to the routine of meal prepping, otherwise it becomes ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’ (and shocker, tomorrow never comes).

Meal prepping also requires you to have ingredients on hand, so aligning your prep with when your groceries are fresh and actually in the cupboard, is essential.

Personally, I like to do meal prep on Sunday’s so that I start my working week on the right foot. It’s also works well to be doing prep when you have a bit of time, e.g. on a day off.

If you are lucky enough to have someone to look after little ones while you are in the kitchen, it can be a help to know exactly when you will need the support too.

2. Make a meal prep list

Before I start cooking anything, I take a look at what ingredients I have already and plan meals around that. Prepping this way helps to reduce food waste, and is a cost-effective option.

Once I know what I’m starting with as base ingredients, it can help with giving me direction with what to make, and I can then make a meal list and work out what other ingredients I need to buy.

I physically write a list of what I am going to make, which helps with making the meal prep feel less overwhelming!

3. Get inspired and find some recipe ideas

Finding some meal idea inspiration can go along way in supporting your level of motivation every week. Actually feeling excited about what you are going to make

4. Align grocery day with prep day