Meal Prep Essentials: What You Really Need
If you're like most people, the thought of meal prepping sends you into a mild panic.
It conjures up images of flavourless chicken and steamed broccoli, all neatly packaged in Tupperware and labelled with the days of the week.
Not exactly appetising.
But Meal prepping doesn't have to be a dreaded chore.
In fact, with a few fundamental essentials, it can be pretty enjoyable.
In this article, we'll tell you what you need to get started and prepare a tasty (and healthy) lineup of nutritious food!
Why You Should Meal Prep
Anyone who has been hangry (hungry and angry;) knows that food is fuel.
And just like your car needs the right gas and oil to run smoothly, your body needs the proper nutrients to function at its best.
That's where meal prepping comes in.
Meal prepping is the act of planning and preparing meals in advance.
By taking the time to chop veggies, cook grains, and portion out protein, you can set yourself up for success during busy weeks.
Not only does meal prepping save time, but it also helps to ensure that you're eating healthy, balanced meals.
And we all know that eating healthy is essential for our physical health.
But did you know that what we eat also affects our mental health? That's right!
The nutrients in healthy foods help to support our mood and cognitive function.
So next time you're feeling stressed or bogged down, think about meal prepping!
With some planning and preparation, you can set yourself up for physical and mental success.
Kitchen Appliances
So you've decided you want to get serious about meal prep. Congratulations!
Meal prepping can save you time and money and is a great way to eat healthily.
But before you start cooking, there are a few kitchen appliances you'll need to meal prep efficiently.
Knives
Anyone who has attempted to cook a meal knows that having a good set of kitchen knives is essential.
Not only do they make the task of chopping vegetables easier, but they are also insanely fun to use (especially when filleting salmon!)
A good set of kitchen knives is a must-have for anyone who wants to take their meal prep to the next level.
For starters, get a Chef's knife, a utility knife, and a bread knife!
Oven Glass Tray
If you're the type who likes to be prepared for anything, then an oven glass tray (also known as a 'yen cooking tray') is essential for your kitchen.
You can use it to prepare slow-cooked meat, bake cookies, or even make Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
No matter your culinary preferences, an oven glass tray can help you meal prep like a pro.
Plus, it's easy to clean and durable, so you'll never have to worry about it breaking (unless you drop it.)
So if you're looking for a kitchen appliance that will make your life easier, an oven glass tray is the way to go.
Cooking Pot & Pan
A cooking pot is another essential kitchen appliance to be efficient in meal prepping.
It's the key to boiling water for pasta, making soup, or stew.
You can also use it for cooking rice, beans, and other grains and plant foods.
On the flip side, you should also get a cooking pan since it's the perfect appliance for eggs and steaks!
If you don't have these two, you're missing out on one of the most versatile tools in the kitchen.
So get a pot and a pan and start cooking some delicious meals today.
Just ensure to get ones made out of the least toxic materials that don't release harmful substances when heated - Cast iron, stainless steel, or non-toxic ceramic.
Spice Rack!
If you're the type of person who meal preps, you know that it can sometimes be a bit...boring.
Chicken and rice get old quickly, but that doesn't mean your meal prep has to be dull.
One way to keep things interesting is to have a well-stocked spice rack.
With various spices at your disposal, you can transform even the most mundane dish into a flavour-packed experience.
So, if you're looking to boost your meal prep, don't forget the spices.
They might be the key to making meal prep more enjoyable (and delicious).
Finding Ingredients
If you ask any chef worth their salt, they'll tell you that the most crucial part of cooking is not the appliances but the ingredients.
After all, you can have the fanciest KitchenAid mixer and Sub-Zero refrigerator, but if your ingredients are subpar, your meal will be too.
This is especially important when it comes to meal prepping. When making multiple meals at once, you can't rely on your cooking skills to mask the flavour of inferior ingredients.
That's why it's essential to source quality ingredients when meal prepping.
Not only will they taste better, but they'll also be more nutritious.
So what's the best way to source quality ingredients?
Support Local Businesses!
When it comes to food, there's no denying that we live in a global market.
No matter where you are in the world, you can probably find a wide variety of foods from all corners of the globe.
However, this doesn't necessarily mean that mass-produced food is of superior quality.
Many mass-produced food products are of inferior quality because they are produced on a large scale and often use lower-quality ingredients.
This is why supporting local businesses is often the best way to source food ingredients of the highest quality.
When you buy from local businesses, you can be sure that you're getting fresh, high-quality ingredients that haven't been shipped halfway around the world.
Not to mention, you'll be supporting your local economy and helping to create jobs in your community.
So next time you're looking for food ingredients, support your local businesses!
Get grass-fed and pasture-raised animal products, and opt for organic plant products!
Your body will thank you.
Final Thoughts
So what do you need to get started with meal prepping? These are just a few basics that will help you make the most of your time in the kitchen.
With these essentials, you can cook healthy, delicious meals for yourself and your family any day of the week.
Ready to get cooking?