Meal Prep vs. Food Prep

Your diet is a bank account. Good food choices are good investments.
                                     -Bethenny Frankel

​What's the different between meal prepping and food prepping? 

There is a difference if you can believe it.  Both take time and planning, but one offers more creativity and flexibility throughout the week than the other.

If the thought of preparing full meals ahead of time scares you, then food prepping could be the better route for you and your family. I usually go the meal prepping route because it works best for my family currently.  I plan my meals for the week and prepare my lunches on Sunday, which means I tend to eat the same meal all week.  Some of you may not want to eat the same meal all week, which is totally fine.  This just means that food prepping is a better solution for you.  I hope to clear up the confusion between meal prep and food prep so you can choose which strategy is the best fit for YOU.  There is no wrong way to eat, but it absolutely benefits your health and saves you time having a plan so you stick to fueling your body with mostly good, whole foods to help you thrive! 

MEAL PREPPING

1.  Plan your breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner meals out ahead of time.

2.  Go food shopping.

3.  Prepare your lunches before the week begins.  Portion your lunches in glass containers so you can grab-n-go!

4.  Cook simple meals or use quick recipes for dinner each night using your already bought ingredients.

Overall difference:  You portion your lunch meals out ahead of time and cook quick dinner meals during the week. 

To learn more check out 9 SIMPLE STEPS FOR MEAL PREPPING FOR THE WORK WEEK
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FOOD PREPPING

1.  Plan what breakfast, snacks, proteins, veggies, carbs, and healthy fats you want to have on hand for the week. 

2.  Go food shopping. 

3.  Cook your protein and carbs (like potatoes or rice) ahead of time and place in large containers in your fridge. ex: Boil chicken, cook ground beef, boil eggs, etc. 

4.  Wash and cut veggies and fruit ahead of time and place in containers to store in your fridge as well.  This way you can quickly grab what you want for snack, lunch and dinner. 

5.  Each night or the morning of, choose which protein, veggie, carbs and healthy fat you want to have that day.  You can do this for your dinner meals as well.  But, be sure each meal has a balance with some type of veggie and protein!
ex: Pair ground beef with some rice, spinach, salsa and cheese for a taco bowl 

Overall difference: You cook and prep your protein, veggies, fruits and carbs out ahead of time so you can personalize each meal you eat.  This way you can have a different combination of good food as many times as you want. 

Don't like cooking?  Check out 5 REASONS WHY WE SHOULD BE COOKING MORE! 

Please note that both prepping strategies require time to plan and cook.  Whatever strategy you choose to use,  both are great healthy habits to add to your weekly routine.  Start building and sustaining health and happiness for you and your family.  Better health gives you more energy to live it up!  



                               Always craving good food,
                                          Jillian