Meal prep is convenient, but did you know that it’s one of the most effective ways to maintain healthy eating habits?
It’s like the old saying, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” This rings true with eating healthy. I’m a Clinical Nutritionist AND a Personal Chef that struggles when I don’t plan. Now that’s saying something. You are not alone in your struggle to eat healthy.
Planning ahead will allow you to nourish your body the way it needs to be and free up your time to enjoy the things in life that feed your soul. We all know that food nourishes the body, but it’s the other parts of life (like family and friends) that truly nourish the soul. When you’re constantly stressing about what to eat and how to find time to cook, you risk missing out on other things. When you plan ahead, free up your evenings and skip the buy-out lunches, you can enjoy life and eat healthy with ease.
What is eating healthy anyways? My philosophy that I use with my clients and in my own life is centered around the term, ‘Nutrition the way God intended it’. Eat foods that are natural to the earth and in their whole form. Fruits, vegetables, & high-quality whole grains like quinoa and brown rice. Steer clear of processed foods that have a long shelf life and have to be made in a factory!
Let’s talk details… There are two types of foods: nutrient-dense and calorically-dense. Apples, avocados, quinoa, and cashews are examples of nutrient-dense foods. Bagels, canola oil, cookies, and pizza are examples of calorically-dense foods. When you plan and prep ahead, your food is much more likely to be nutrient-dense. Bagels and pizza are convenient grab on-the-go foods that you probably wouldn’t choose if you had a healthier option already prepared. The more you can focus your eating on nutrient-dense foods, the healthier your body will be. But it’s all about balance.
I teach my clients to live life by the 80/20 rule. 80% of the time you should nourish your body with whole, nutritious food and 20% of the time you can enjoy a cupcake at a party or get a slice of pizza while you’re out with your friends. I never preach perfection but I do promote dedication and motivation. When you treat your body well and feed it properly 80% of the time, that other 20% will be no problem. That is how you live and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Meal prep is key to sticking with the 80% part of the 80/20 rule.
My clients have discovered that it is SO much easier to eat healthy when you can simply open the refrigerator and grab a meal to take on-the-go or reheat to have for dinner. No dirty dishes and no slaving over the stove, but you still have a healthy meal. That is only possible when you plan ahead. It’s all about priorities. If you make it a priority to plan ahead and prep, you will succeed. No doubt. If it’s not a priority, then you most likely won’t succeed. And that’s the honest truth.
I encourage you to take an honest look at your life and at your usual eating habits. What are you prioritizing over your health? And what changes can you make to shift your priorities? Meal prep is doable for anyone, but the question is, are you making it an important part of your life?
I often hear that meal planning is the hardest part. I want to make your life easier by helping you with that! You can choose between the Prep Like A Personal Chef Ebook that comes with 35+ recipes, meal prep how to’s, sample meal plans, and more OR you can have a custom meal plan designed for your unique body. Whichever you choose, this will make eating healthy much easier for your busy lifestyle.
And if you want to dig even deeper into your health, check out my 1-1 signature coaching programs.
Cheering you on for better health!
With joy and health,
