If you’ve been on Pinterest or Instagram lately, you’ve likely seen the beautiful #MealPrep photos—those organized, bento-style food boxes prepared ahead of time and arranged neatly for the week. Here are some tips you can use to begin meal prepping. And bonus—you could start to save a ton on take-out.
Take Baby Steps
Meal prepping doesn’t have to be hard—it can be as simple as making extra portions of chicken or rice to use in recipes (like lunchtime salads) during the week. One way to start is to begin prepping one or two meals a week at first, until you get into the swing of it, so you don’t get overwhelmed.
Focus on Your Pain Points
If you’re hangry by the time you get home from work, having a pre-made dinner ready to pop in the oven might be what makes your day. And it could keep you from calling out for pizza, which is where the real savings could come in.
Your Freezer is Your Future
Just about anything can be frozen for a later use. A good trick is to pre-bag the ingredients for a smoothie, so all you need to do is add liquid and blend. This is a great way to save those bananas (and the money you spent on them)—just slice them and toss them in the freezer for later.
Bye-Bye Boring Brown Bags
A simple Google search will give you hundreds of meal prep lunch ideas—from Mason jar salads to burrito bowls—that can be made ahead. But the real upside to bringing your meal from home is that you could save a bunch on lunch.
If you’ve got a great meal prep idea, please share it in the comments below.
Comment on this article
Comments
Cynthia W. on April 18, 2017 at 7:07pm
Excellent information to have thinking about doing this with my daugther
Gaining W. on April 19, 2017 at 6:27am
It's also very important to know and understand your calorie and protein intake. Not everyone is out for the same results. For instance my mother is losing weight therefore, her meals are lesser calories than the daily average. My meals are high in protein therefore, more calories for muscle gain.
Lorraine A. on April 19, 2017 at 2:57pm
Ahaha - coming home hangry. That could be a new word. Hungry and with a dropped blood sugar, just a bit angry, or at least agitated. :) Yes, the article is spot on and it's the strategy I use. I also like to make a large slow cooker stew or something on the weekend and freeze lunch portions for the week. By having frozen portions on hand, I can mix it up and not have to eat the same thing all week. Even for a slow cooker concoction I like to psych myself into putting in the time by doing all the prep and loading the cooker on Saturday, putting it in the fridge, then taking it out and doing the cooking and portioning into containers on Sunday. That way I don't feel overwhelmed.
Thanks f. on April 19, 2017 at 3:14pm
So much food is thrown out in the USA, and these tips can save people money and make the planet a better place. Thanks!
ELLEN on April 19, 2017 at 6:16pm
I peel and cut sweet potatoes in cubes then blanch them for freezing. Put needed pieces in some water in microwave for 1 minute to mix with my dogs dry food. For myself I make extra portions of pasta which I drain, sprinkle with just a little olive oil and freeze on a tray. Put in individual bags and then just pop some in boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes when needed.
anon on April 19, 2017 at 7:57pm
It wouldve been cool if this article had like actual meal prep recipes from reddit or something. I learned about ally from reddit's personal finance subreddit so I thought this was gonna be a cool collaboration between ally and reddit but I guess not lol.
Ally on April 20, 2017 at 12:48pm
Hi Cynthia, we love hearing this! Hope these meal prep ideas help you get started!
Ally on April 20, 2017 at 12:58pm
Great point! Everyone has unique set of dietary goals and preferences - thanks for the reminder!
Ally on April 20, 2017 at 1:35pm
Hi Ellen, these are all great tips. Thanks so much for sharing!
Ally on April 20, 2017 at 1:40pm
You're welcome! Thanks for reading the blog and sharing your feedback - we really appreciate it!
Ally on April 20, 2017 at 1:43pm
Hi Lorraine, those are all great tips - thanks for sharing!
Laurie R. on April 20, 2017 at 3:48pm
Ok, this is awesome. My financial car loan bank sent via email actual, usable tips for making eating healthy to my in-box! Almost just sent to trash...opened and was hooked. Thanks Ally! Love. It.
Tina on April 20, 2017 at 3:52pm
Bagged salads are a great lunch, no prep required, but be careful of the calorie count on the dressing. I also buy washed mixed greens, grape tomatoes, and olives for a good, no-work salad base, then add whatever I happen to have on hand -- leftover chicken slices, garbanzo or kidney beans, nuts, seeds, or an egg for protein, and chopped or sliced veggies like peppers, cucumber, onion, zucchini, broccoli, etc. You can put together something unique and delicious in no time. Planned leftovers from dinner the night before are also good easy lunches. Just cook a little extra pasta or pork tenderloin for a nice lunch tomorrow.
Alex on April 21, 2017 at 6:52am
Something I should really begin doing, thanks.
Wendi on April 21, 2017 at 8:29am
I buy in bulk. When i get it home, i divide it into portions and the freeze them. It saves alot of money and makes cooking easier. And, yes, freezing food is a life saver! When i make casseroles or lasagna or meatloaf, i always make extra. One for now, one for later. No need to order in when something we love us already made.
Ally on April 21, 2017 at 10:11am
Hi Laurie, we love hearing this! Thanks for being an Ally customer!
Ally on April 21, 2017 at 10:14am
These are awesome tips, Tina! Thanks for sharing you meal prep ideas!
Ally on April 24, 2017 at 11:12am
Hi Alex, let us know if you put any of these tips into action. We'd love to hear about it!
Ally on April 24, 2017 at 11:17am
Hi Wendi, we love hearing this! Thanks for sharing your own tips, too!
Evelyn G. on May 14, 2017 at 8:02pm
Great ideals for food preps and money savings. I will use them, thank you.
Ally on May 15, 2017 at 3:55pm
Hi Evelyn, we love hearing this! Thanks for sharing your feedback.