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Colorado State University Global
Blog
Meal planning and prepping aren’t new concepts, but we’re guessing you’ve seen more about them on your newsfeed in the past few years. These strategies can help prioritize your healthy eating goals while saving you time and money!
Set a Goal
And make it attainable! If you currently eat out five days a week, begin with committing to cook just one or two of those meals at home. Habits are easier to change if you start small.
Review Your Schedule
Find a few open slots in your schedule that you’ll have the time and energy to meal prep. Some people prepare a week’s worth of meals at a time; others like to set aside 15 minutes per day to chop and prep. Do what works for you.
Inventory Your Kitchen
Before browsing recipe sites, take a look at what you already have on hand. Scan your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry to see if any meal ideas come to mind. This initial step will help reduce food waste.
Plan Your Meals
What resonates with you and your schedule? Quick weeknight meals, slow cooker recipes, one-pot creations, meals with lots of leftovers that you can eat for days? Figure out what works and then search specifically for recipes that suit your needs.
Shop
Grocery shopping isn’t high on many people’s list of favorite activities, but this is where you save money. If it works with your budget, consider using Instacart, Misfits Market, Shipt, or your local grocery store’s order-ahead service to save you even more time.
Enjoy!
As with many things in life, the effort you put in now will save you time and money in the long run. Each week will get easier, so keep planning and prepping – you’ve got this!