Meal prep while working from home is a great skill and habit to get into. Saving you time and money each every month. If you are seeking to maximize your productivity, meal prep is definitely worth considering.
People who work from home face a unique challenge that other professionals don’t – they often lack the structure and schedule of an office job to guide their work days. Many people end up just winging it when it comes to what they eat throughout the day.
If you work from home, here are some tips to meal prep while working from home, so you can have healthy meals and snacks ready to go all week long!
Get a Larger Freezer Bag
Keep your freezer stocked with seven days of food at a time. Pack food in freezer bags, label the bag with the date, and put it on a shelf for easy access. Once you’ve packed all seven bags, use a permanent marker to write the day of the week on each bag so you can easily tell what is inside.
You can also fill one side of a white board with each meal and its contents. Freezer meals are great because they’re healthy and ready-to-go if you have long workdays or intense workouts!
Shop In Bulk
The bulk section of your grocery store is a treasure trove. I know it’s tempting to buy the most economical packages of rice or beans, but it can actually end up costing you more in the long run if you’re using those products for meals every day.
If you want to save money and reduce food waste, buy the huge package instead. Avoid the frustration of budgeting at the end of the month, by keeping a consistent monthly cycle menu.
Never Buy Lunch Again!
A bit extreme, I agree! But it is often much cheaper and healthier to cook your own food at home, but it can be difficult when you don’t have time or a kitchen. However, you can still save money and stay healthy by preparing meals for the week in advance.
The key is finding smart ways to prep without sacrificing convenience.
Have Go-to Snacks
Having snacks available at all times can be lifesaver when you’re craving something salty and crunchy or want a quick pick-me-up during the day.
A few of my favorite snack options are: mini cereal boxes (which are perfect for keeping under your desk), Greek yogurt with chopped up fruit, hard boiled eggs, and hummus with celery sticks.
Of course, the possibilities are endless; in order to avoid overeating, make sure you keep your servings reasonable!
Save Time by Chopping Everything at Once
Chopping up everything at once saves time and makes cooking much easier! It’s one thing you can do ahead of time to save time later. This is a great way for moms who work from home to be able to spend more time with their kids. Plus, it’ll save you some money as well!
Buy Vegetables that can be Frozen
Buying
frozen vegetables is a great way to get a ton of nutrients without needing tons
of space. It also helps if you can’t always have time or money for fresh
produce. Check out our infographic below for the best frozen veggies and their
calorie, carbohydrate, and nutrient contents.
The best
frozen veggies are those that are low in calories, but high in fiber. These
include spinach, kale, broccoli, and green beans. However, it’s important to
note that some vegetables like Brussels sprouts have so many calories they will
slow down your weight loss progress because they’re high in carbohydrates.
With these types of vegetables it’s best just to eat them occasionally since their
vitamin content is worth the few extra calories.
Use Reusable Containers
I find that glass containers can last longer than plastic ones and be microwaved. They come in various sizes and shapes which is convenient for different types of dishes.
Don’t use those old Chinese take-out containers for storage, even if they seem like a good idea! Cleaning them often takes more time than one might think. I buy some new containers periodically just so the food will last longer and be healthy and secure.
Create Variety with Vegan Meant Substitutes
Spiralizing
is a great way to get your favorite pasta dishes into your low-carb routine,
but you can also spiralize vegetables into noodles like these Beet Noodles.
It’s a tasty gluten-free and vegan option for those who don’t eat bread, but
crave that comforting experience of eating spaghetti. Cut up some of the
spiralized beet noodles, toss them with oil and lemon juice or balsamic
vinegar, and roast them until they’re fork tender!
These
Vegetable Spiral Spaghetti Noodles are full of flavor and nutrition, thanks to
the addition of fresh garlic cloves, cherry tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes
soaked in olive oil.
Consider Setting Up a Timer
If you’re new to meal prepping, the idea of timing your cooking times and cooking separately might seem overwhelming. However, a little preparation goes a long way so consider meal prep while working from home
To avoid feeling frustrated by the precision required for meal prepping, consider setting up a timer on your phone or using one in your kitchen so that you’re only paying attention when it’s time to flip. This will give you more time to spend with friends and family while letting the oven do all the work to avoid the feeling the feeling of isolation.
