Yes, we know, it’s a little cliche, but we can’t help but agree that Ben Franklin was truly on to something with the idea of planning in advance.

And we think he’d agree that meal prep is absolutely key to your success in delivering healthy, delicious meals day after day for yourself and your family. Not only that, but meal planning also:

• Saves you money
• Saves you time
• Reduces food waste
• Reduces stress
• Reduces boredom

Think you’re too busy or too tired to spend time meal prepping ahead of a new week? Think again. We’ve gathered the best meal prep tips just for you.

• Say YES to simple. Feeling overwhelmed with planning out multiple meals and snacks for an entire week? Start with planning ahead for just one meal each day. Dinner recipes make for great leftovers at lunch the next day. That’s two meals covered! Now keep it simple when it comes to breakfast, and remember that fruit and veggies make for easy, healthy snacks.
• Write it down. Your list of ingredients is your magic wand for meal prep. Without it, you can get off track or, even worse, have to trek back to the grocery store when you forget an item. Start with some recipes you know you can rely on, take stock of your pantry and fridge, and then make a list of everything else you need for the week. This will also keep you from buying foods on a whim—and weeks from now finding them unidentifiable at the bottom of your crisper. We’ve been there!
• Opt for convenient proteins. When you use canned salmon, mackerel or sardines for your favourite meals, you’re saving on cooking time and you’re jam packing your plate with vitamins and high quality proteins. Check out our convenient canned fish recipes that can be made ahead in batches for a delicious lunch or dinner.
• Prepare ingredients ahead of time. While there’s little to no prep required for canned fish, making grains like rice or quinoa ahead of your prep day saves a ton of time. Try this technique when you prep for one of our favourites— our tasty Salmon Rice Bowl.
• Make your ingredients work for you. Whether it’s rice, canned fish, or your favourite veggies, plan to use some ingredients you know you’ll use in more than one recipe. This not only helps your budget, it cuts down on prep time and helps reduce food waste.

Sources:

https://thegirlonbloor.com/meal-prep-busy-people/

http://www.eatingwell.com/article/290651/a-beginners-guide-to-meal-prep/

https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/meal-prep-tips