The 5 Best Products for Meal Prepping: A Nutrition Coach's Picks
Meal prepping is a game-changer when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet. As a nutrition coach, I understand the importance of having the right tools to make meal prep efficient and enjoyable. In this blog post, I'll share my top five product recommendations for meal prepping, all designed to help you streamline your nutrition and reach your health and fitness goals.
1. Quality Food Storage Containers:
Investing in good food storage containers is a must for meal prepping success. Look for containers that are microwave and dishwasher safe, leak-proof, and stackable for easy storage. Glass containers are an excellent choice as they are durable, don't absorb odors, and are better for reheating food compared to plastic. These glass food storage containers from Walmart are great if you’re someone who’s on a budget, freeze your leftovers, as well as microwave or bake them.
2. Produce Keepers
Properly storing your fruits and vegetables is essential for reducing food waste and saving money. Specially designed produce keepers help create the perfect storage conditions to prolong the freshness of your produce. Picture having lettuce that retains its crispness and berries that stay plump and juicy for days after your grocery shopping. These containers allow you to rinse your produce directly within them, and you can adjust the vents and dividers to suit your needs. Additionally, they conveniently nest together when not in use, saving you valuable storage space. This Produce Keepers Box Set from Superstore is the best product I have found for lasting quality.
3. Quality Knife Set and Cutting Board:
A sharp, high-quality knife set and a spacious cutting board are essential for chopping, dicing, and slicing your ingredients efficiently. A nutrition coach knows that having the right tools makes meal prepping quicker and safer. Also, make sure to get your knives sharpened regularly by a professional; you would be surprised the difference in quality and feel to your favorite chopping tools!
4. Instant Pot or Slow Cooker:
These kitchen appliances are meal prep superheroes. An Instant Pot can cook a variety of dishes quickly, while a slow cooker lets you set it and forget it. Both are fantastic for preparing large batches of soups, stews, and protein-rich meals that can be portioned for multiple days. Mississipi Chicken for Instapot is one of the recipes I use every month to make sure I have protein stored in the freezer for convenient use in salads, soups, sandwiches, and more! All that needs to be done for lunch or dinner is a quick re-heat in the microwave or back into the instant pot, and then add to any meal.
5. Food Scale and Measuring Cups:
Precision is key when it comes to tracking your nutrition. A digital food scale and measuring cups ensure you're accurately portioning your ingredients, which is crucial for maintaining a balanced diet and reaching your goals. If you have trouble with portion sizes using regular measuring cups, take the math out of your meal prep by using these Portion Control Serving Spoons from Amazon.
Bonus: Blender or Food Processor:
While not essential for everyone, a blender or food processor can be incredibly useful for creating smoothies, sauces, and homemade dips. They can help you whip up nutritious and delicious options for your meal prepped dishes. My favorite blender that I’ve EVER used is the NutriBullet 600 which you can find on Amazon, Walmart, and Canadian Tire. For a such a tiny blender, it blends beautifully, it’s easy-peasy to wash, and it’s compact size makes it cupboard friendly (I don’t need anymore appliances on my counter-top!).
Meal prepping is a powerful tool for achieving your nutrition goals, and having the right products can make the process smoother and more enjoyable. These five (plus a bonus) items are my top recommendations as a nutrition coach. They'll help you save time, maintain portion control, and stay on track with your healthy eating plan. So, gear up with these meal prepping essentials and get ready to conquer your nutritional goals one prepped meal at a time! 🍱🔪🥦
