People often struggle to prepare meals while going through a divorce. You don’t want to think about cooking with so much on your mind.
But with the advice in this article, you can maintain a healthy diet without stress.
Here are our top 4 meal prep tips:
1. Meal planning
Meal planning creates a consistent and sustainable diet. Here’s what to consider when developing a meal plan.
What are your needs and capacity?
It’s best to prioritise healthy foods where possible when grocery shopping. Fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains like brown rice are excellent. Fresh produce can be more expensive. But, it’s worth it in the long run. Nutritious meals play a vital role in promoting positive physical and mental health.
Check the nutritional information on products. You may be surprised by what you find. For example, condiments like tomato sauce can contain quite a bit of sugar. If they do, try to opt for low- or no-sugar options.
Look for recipes that are within your capacity to follow. This isn’t necessarily about your experience with cooking. Consider how much time you can dedicate to the meal prep process.
Batch cooking
One great meal prep tip is to batch cook. Schedule time to cook enough meals at once for the whole week ahead. This way, you don’t have to worry about cooking every night. Bulk buying for multiple meals can also help save money. Another benefit is reducing food waste since you’re planning meals in advance.
2. Use meal prepping services
Making a shopping list and finding time to go to the supermarket can be a strain. Fortunately, some services provide home meal kits. These kits contain pre-portioned ingredients and matching recipes delivered to your door. It can be a struggle to start meal prepping. These services help make meal prep easier when you’re too busy to organise meals. There are a few things to think about when looking into meal kits.
Budget
Consider how much money you can put towards home meal kits. They can make meal prep much easier but ensure you’re not putting yourself in a financially difficult position.
Dietary requirements
Many families deal with intolerances and allergies. Thoroughly research each service’s options and whether they align with your family’s dietary needs.
3. Involve your children
A good meal prep habit is to include your children. Cooking can be a fun experience involving the whole family. Here’s how to include your kids.
Age-appropriate tasks
The tasks you give to your children should be appropriate to their age. A five- or six-year-old might be able to help with simpler jobs like mixing ingredients, tossing a salad, or setting the table. A teenager could handle more complex or delicate tasks like chopping vegetables, measuring out ingredients, and following a recipe. Supervise them to follow proper protocols, like using glass containers or safe plastics in the microwave.
Instructional videos
Websites like YouTube have a wealth of cooking information. You can watch some with your children to learn new skills and find recipe inspiration.
Be appreciative
Praise your children and thank them for their efforts. Showing appreciation can boost their confidence and encourage them to want to continue participating.
4. Give yourself a break
Don’t think you must prepare perfect meals for the family daily. Sometimes, it’s okay to have a low-effort dinner. Whip up some sandwiches or serve eggs on toast. You don’t always need to eat at the dinner table, either. Change things up by having a casual dinner around the kitchen counter.
Conclusion
You don’t need to struggle with meal prepping. You can have meals ready every day. It just takes a little planning. Consider your capacity and cook in bulk to save time. Home meal kits can be convenient as long as they’re affordable and meet your dietary requirements.
Involving children in the kitchen can also be a fun bonding experience. Above all, don’t let meal prepping get on top of you. Low-key dinners are okay, sometimes.
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