Meal prepping has become really popular over the past decade + and continues to be a great option for many.
Before I go into this subject, I want to clarify what type of meal prepping I’m referring to which is days worth of food (5+ days). So not just a day or 2 since this can easily fall into the category of left overs and to me it isn’t exactly the same as making a batch of the same exact meals for a week.
Personally I’ve done meal prepping in the past and because of this, I learned a great deal on how to incorporate the right balance of macronutrients, keep a consistent eating schedule, and adopt healthy eating habits that I still implement into my lifestyle.
Overall, meal prepping is great for anyone who has a busy schedule and cannot commit to prepping quick meals on the spot, is trying to reach specific goals and needs to keep up with a certain amount of food per day, or those who are less likely to make healthier choices(aka. if it isn’t already made, you might just end up eating ice cream for dinner).
When it comes to dietary advice and habit building, most end up adopting certain habits because they believe “is the thing to do”, “the only choice”, or “what’s popular”.
However, in my opinion and from years of observation, meal prepping is not necessarily the best choice for everyone.
Personally I learned this the hard way which is why I no longer meal prep and have no intention on ever doing it again.
Here’s why I personally do not meal prep…
1. I need different amounts of food each day- Personally I like to fuel according to my level of activity. Some days if I have really hard workouts such as a long run, a HIIT routine, or have been very active, I will need a lot more calories by the time dinner comes. Other days I may sit more working on my computer and barely get a workout in which means I will not need as much fuel.
When I used to meal prep I had specific numbers of macronutrients I’d aim for during each meal which meant that I ate the same even if I didn’t move as much. Often times this caused me to feel extra full, puffy, heavy and even backed me up.
Because of this I prefer to prepare my meals as I go on a given day rather than having specific portions set ahead of time. Listening to my hunger cues is my compass.
With that being said, there’s no rule that says you have to eat all your food if you prepped it. So if you meal prep because this what helps you stay on track with your goals, it is perfectly fine to leave some food behind once you’re satisfied.
2. I don’t feel like eating the same thing every day– I really like to let my body guide me and tell me what it needs. Some days I may feel like hearty meals and others I may feel like having something lighter and fresh. I don’t like forcing myself to eat the same thing each day. When I used to meal prep I used to literally eat chicken, broccoli, and sweet potatoes for 5 days in a row. Not only did this cause me to hate broccoli and chicken for a long time but it also took the joy away from eating.
With that being said, meal prepping doesn’t have to be boring and as long as you’re willing to make exciting nutritious meals all at once, then more power to you.
3.I prefer freshly made foods– Prepping food for days worth wasn’t always the best for my digestive system. Not only because sometimes I was forcing my body to eat larger portions than it needed but also because after a few days the freshness and quality of the food changed making it harder to digest.
Once food is cooked and has sat for several days, the molecules in some of these change making it harder for our bodies to break down. I personally noticed my digestive system being slower and energy levels sinking after eating something that sat around for 3-4 days.
Keep in mind this was my experience and I am not saying you necessarily will experience the same. You may be just fine after eating something that has been made several days before. We all have different digestive systems so ultimately, you’ll want to pay attention and listen to your body and how it reacts after eating certain things.
Variables that may affect your digestion are many and may not have anything to do with the meal itself so make sure you pay attention and not be too quick to judge.
I am simply sharing my experience to give you a different perspective than what you may be use to, in case you’ve been wondering if you should meal prep. There’s no right or wrong as long as it works for you. Ultimately, the goal is to properly nourish your body and enjoy that process so whatever helps you get there, then that’s the way to go.
If you haven’t yet, make sure you check out some of my favorite recipes on the VB METHOD app. I’m all for healthy, tasty, and easy so if you’re looking for nourishing meals that do not take too much of your time, make sure to check these out
Click HERE to take a sneak peak of these!
xo,
V
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