For most of us, food preparation or “food prep” might bring to mind the process of cutting vegetables and stirring sauces for dinner, but for a lot of successful slimmers and fitness fans food prep is what supercharges their results.
Food prep is a simple and effective way to plan your meals for a set number of days, typically a week in advance. Instead of grabbing a bite on the go, or trying to remember what you’ve ate in a day, food prepping removes the guesswork by making sure you are eating the best possible food choices for you.
Research has shown that food prepping is linked with improved diet quality and reduced likelihood of being overweight or obese, with individuals who cook for themselves eating on average much more fruit and vegetables than those who eat on-the-go.
Here are five top food prep tips to maximize your weight loss and fitness goals:
- Meal Planning
This is a guaranteed way to boost your healthy eating. As the saying goes; if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Writing down what you plan to eat ahead of time, for three or four days, means you are less likely to stray off track.
- Make a List
Once you have decided what you are going to eat for three or four days, or even up to a week in advance, make a shopping list to take to the supermarket with you so you aren’t tempted to put extra things in your basket. It is also recommended that you do your shop after you have eaten, when you’re hungry you’re more likely to put extra, and often unnecessary, items through the checkout.
- Batch Cooking
Meal planning doesn’t mean that you have to cook from scratch every night of the week. In fact, one of the benefits of meal planning and food prepping is the ability to batch cook when you have a little more time. Invest in some good quality Tupperware, and cook your meals for the week ahead in advance (making sure they are freezer-friendly recipes). You are less likely to reach for high calorie or unhealthy options when you get in from work hungry if you know your healthy meal is pre-cooked and just waiting to be heated up.
- Lunch is Sorted
When meal planning and food prepping, cook an extra portion than you usually would and chill or freeze it to have the next day for lunch. Not only is this better for you, but it’s better for your purse too.
- Get Support
Research by the American National Institute of Health has shown that individuals who keep a daily food diary lost twice as much weight as those who kept no record at all. Researcher Victor Stevens PHD, said, “This study shows that most people can lose weight with the right tools and support. Food journaling in conjunction with a weight management support group is the ideal combination.”
The WST Community provide all of the tools and support you need to kickstart your weight loss journey, to help you achieve your health and fitness goals. For more information, go to www.weslimcommunity.com