Unless you are very new to the world of healthy living and ketogenic dieting, you've no doubt already heard something about the food preparation trend that's taking over the country: meal prepping. Meal prepping is a trend that was born out of necessity for the modern dieter who has to balance the stress of working, childcare, and creating healthy meals that will lead to weight loss. Meal prepping involves setting aside a few hours one day at the beginning of the week to cook a large amount of food that can be safely saved and quickly eaten later throughout the week. Early meal prepping can be particularly useful for those following the ketogenic diet, as having food and snacks that are keto-safe immediately available can help you avoid the temptation to hit the drive-thru after work or throw your diet in to the wayside when your coworkers are ordering out for lunch.
Meal prep can save you money
Many Americans are also choosing to meal prep because it saves money when going to the grocery store. Buying meat in bulk is one of the best ways to save money when you're trying to eat healthy, especially if you have a subscription to a store like Costco or Sam's Club that specializes in lowing prices for buyers who purchase in large amounts. When you shop normally, most people are unable to take advantage of bulk pricing because food often goes bad before it can be eaten. However, if you are meal prepping, you can take advantage of your freezer to cook chicken breasts, beef, turkey, or steaks ahead of time and save them for when you're exhausted after work!
Essential meal prep tools
Before you start meal prepping, there are a few key tools that you'll need. First, you'll want to invest in sectioned containers, like those made by Tupperware. Your containers should be durable so they can be reused and taken along with you on your commute to work or school. You will also want to invest in a book or log to track recipes and grocery lists, which will make bulk shopping easier. Finally, kitchen tools like hard-boiled egg makers and slow cookers are keto meal prep favorites because they can be set and ignored all day while you are out!
Meals that are great for keto prepping
Ketogenic dieting is the perfect complement to meal prepping because it places heavy importance on meats and fats that can be quickly reheated while still retaining flavor. The following are some great keto-approved foods that are perfect for the beginner meal prepper.
- Any form of grilled meat. Meat can be frozen after being grilled and can be defrosted in an oven or microwave with a sauce for an instant dinner.
- Fat bomb. Fat bombs are tasty keto-approved treats that hold well thanks to their high fat content.
- Chicken and tuna salad. Chicken and tuna salads are good for preparing a week or so in advance, and make the perfect keto lunch when you skip the bread and substitute a lettuce wrap. Just remember to use a keto-approved recipe that is low in carbohydrates!
- Hard-boiled eggs. Hard-boiled eggs are a perfect low-carb snack that will leave you feeling satisfied!
If you've been finding yourself feeling more tired and without enough time to prepare keto-friendly meals, switching to meal prep can help you stay on track with your diet!
NUTRITIONAL DISCLAIMER
The content on this website should not be taken as medical advice and you should ALWAYS consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. We provide nutritional data for our recipes as a courtesy to our readers. We use Total Keto Diet app software to calculate the nutrition and we remove fiber and sugar alcohols, like erythritol, from the total carbohydrate count to get to the net carb count, as they do not affect your blood glucose levels. You should independently calculate nutritional information on your own and not rely on our data. The website or content herein is not intended to cure, prevent, diagnose or treat any disease. This website shall not be liable for adverse reactions or any other outcome resulting from the use of recipes or recommendations on the Website or actions you take as a result. Any action you take is strictly at your own risk.
Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD is an aesthetic medicine specialist whose work focuses on patients who are treated for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and other weight-related issues through nutritional analysis, keto diet programs, and supporting medications.
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