Food Prep is Paramount

Well hello everyone!

Today I want to touch on a subject that I am thrilled to discuss with you guys. First and foremost, who doesn’t love to talk about food? Secondly, food prep is so important when it comes to cultivating an efficient wellness routine, especially if you are working towards a specific goal.

I used to do a big food prep every week; now that I’m cooking for myself and my boyfriend I prep food about twice per week. Thank goodness Matthew also sees the value in this and pitches in with cooking just as much as I do. Sometimes it’s still not enough! I don’t even want to talk about the amount of rice and chicken we go through. However, the volume of food the two of us go through is a story for another day!

Why is food prep so important? Firstly, it gives you control over what you are eating. I know exactly what’s in my food: I made it. I don’t count calories or macros, so I focus on making good quality food. I know the oil my food was cooked in, I know what’s in the sauce, I know when it was made. It keeps me keenly aware of what I’m putting in my body. Forget eating mindlessly; I created this food!

In this way, I can also ensure that I’m including the valuable nutrients that I need. On the days that I feel like I’m dragging, I make sure my food is full of the vitamins and minerals I need to stay on my feet. I can also make sure I have the amount of carbs, protein, and healthy fats in each meal required to keep me at my very best.

I’m currently bulking up – the goal right now is absolutely positively to gain weight. So yes, in theory I could go out and eat all the pizza, french fries, and ice cream I want (we call that a dirty bulk). It is probable that I could reach my own personal goal if I ate out for every meal. So why not? Well it’s not just about quantity, it’s also about quality. I want to make sure I’m putting quality food in my body and ensuring a slight surplus in calories. I want to put on a little weight and feel good.

Food prep is also an incredible system that you can put in place to prevent you from slipping. Think of it as a safety net. Have you ever caught yourself at a restaurant, with every intention of getting a healthy salad, but end up with a burger the size of your head and a side of fries? I can’t tell you how many times it’s happened to me! If you’re prepared and eating your own food, you decrease the chances that you are going to put yourself in a vulnerable situation. If you’re on your way home from work and your dead tired, you might consider stopping for some quick food. But if you have food ready and waiting for you when you get home, then you won’t be discouraged by the thought of cooking.

Having meals ready also encourages you not to miss one. If you rush out of the house in the mornings, include prepping breakfast. Always get your meals in! Your metabolism is an engine that requires fuel to keep burning. If you’re not eating, you’re not only going to be tired but your body also lacks the resources it relies on for energy, and you’re going to feel burnt out. When you get into the habit of not eating for extended periods of time, your brain tells your body that your environment lacks the resources necessary for life. If you are eating under 1,000 calories a day, your brain is going to suppress your metabolism. This is your bodies attempt to hold onto what you’ve eaten; your body doesn’t know when it’s going to be fed again!

Lastly, food prep is easier on the budget. Eating out isn’t always expensive, but it definitely adds up quickly. Buy on special, cook in bulk, and eat according to your goals!

My favorite things to meal prep are:

• Chicken and Rice (Duh bro)
• Tofu Salad Rolls (Easier than it looks!)
• Stir Fry
• Quinoa Salad

I welcome any and all questions about meal prepping!