Meal prepping has become a trend recently but what you may not know is how beneficial it can be. Meal prepping is great for people who are really busy, want to be organized, and get a proper variety of foods without overeating and not wasting as much food. When you first start it can seem like a daunting task but once you get the hang of it, it can make life easier!

1. Start small.Meal prepping for just a couple of days can help you get into the hang of batch cooking and prepping for multiple people over a longer amount of time. It can help you get the hang of how much to make and what it all takes.
2. Make the time!It takes a little more time upfront but saves a lot of time throughout the week. Picking a day of the week and making this your meal prep day can help you get into the routine. Once you get into the habit, it makes it easier down the road. 
3. Consider each food group. Get a healthy mixture of fruits, vegetables, and depending on your diet, whole grains and meat. By preparing in advance, you are able to think ahead and incorporate all the good foods you’ve been meaning to without the hassle. 
4. Shop your pantry first.Especially during this social distancing time and with the possibility being out of work for the foreseeable future. Shopping your pantry, fridge, and freezer will help you eliminate food waste and safe money. You may have the right mixture at home already!
5. Have a list ready.After you’ve shopped your pantry, have a complete list ready for the grocery store. This will help you eliminate wasting money on food you do not need or will not eat. This is also important during this current epidemic in order to focus on what you need and only take what you need and make it a quick trip to the grocery store.
6. Batch cook and freeze.Depending on how many you are cooking for, cooking a large batch may be best for you but if you feel like you won’t eat everything in time then freezing foods can be extremely helpful. 
7. Get organized!Organizing your spices, pantry, fridge, and really everything in your kitchen will help you be the most efficient when it comes to meal prepping for the week. Set aside containers for the week, set aside space in your fridge and/or freezer, and think ahead to what meals you’ll want for the next week or so!

These are just a couple of tips that have helped me with meal prepping in the past and that will help me get through this quarantine time. Share with us what has worked for you in the past!

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Nicole Rainey