As more and more people are finally realizing the importance of a healthy mind and body, I wanted to share with you one of the best, yet undervalued components when it comes to losing or maintaining your weight and getting healthy & WHY it’s important.
Bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts made the concept of meal prepping popular back in the day, but it’s actually very beneficial for people of all walks of life.
But if we’re being honest, meal prepping is just a fancy word for leftovers, but those leftovers can have a HUGE positive impact on your overall health.
So let’s get into the 4 major benefits of meal prepping and why you should do it more and make it a part of your lifestyle.
Weight Loss & Weight Management
According to the U.S Department of Agriculture, the average American has experienced a 23% increase in daily calories between the years 1970 and 2008. (That’s over 500 more calories a day!)
Considering that was 14 years ago and how Americans are eating today, I think it would be safe to say that number has probably doubled, making it 1000 more calories a day people are consuming. Mostly empty, high fat and sugar calories.
And while I don’t count calories, meal prepping helps you control your portions and reduce the urge to overeat. Which in return, helps you lose or maintain your weight! Win, win!
Helps Prevent Chronic Disease & Illness
These days, most people are eating ultra-processed fast and junk foods that are full of empty calories. Meaning they’re void of any nutrients.
Meal prepping helps you avoid the drive-thru and keep those junk cravings in check by having healthy food options readily available.
When you cook balanced meals at home, you know what’s in it, and you’re providing your body the nutrients you need to boost your immune system and help prevent chronic disease and illness.
Chronic diseases like heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis and certain cancers, that are all linked back to the consumption of highly processed foods.
So, when you meal prep, you’re limiting your consumption of these foods, which also helps your body fight off disease and illness.
Save Time
If you’re like me, and don’t like spending hours in the grocery store or kitchen, meal prepping is truly a life saver.
Like I shared earlier, meal prepping is just a fancy word for leftovers. So when you meal prep, you don’t have to worry about cooking every night which saves you so much time!
And we could all use a little more time in our day.
So if you want to get your time back AND eat healthy, pick a day or two and start meal prepping.
Save Money
Meal prepping will not only help you reduce your eating out and fast-food consumption, which helps with weight loss and management, you’ll also save tons of money.
Not only will you be doing your wallet some good, but meal prepping also helps you to reduce how much spoiled food you throw away every week.
According to an American Chemistry Council survey, the average U.S household throws away $640 of food per year and more than half of all households throw out food every week.
Are constantly throwing money down the drain?
Well, meal prepping will help solve that problem which will help save you money.
Additional Bonuses
Some additional bonuses to meal prepping and having food readily available helps:
- Reduce brain fog
- Naturally increase your energy
- Improve overall health and mental well-being
So as you can see, there’s more to meal prepping than meets the eye and it’s not just for fitness buffs.
I’ll end with this: I’ve always shared with my clients that “cooking your own food is a form of self-care.”
When you think about it in those terms, it might help motivate you to do it more often.
So tell me:
What’s been your experience with meal prepping? Do you like it, find it helpful?
If you’re struggling with meal prepping and eating healthy on a consistent basis, be sure to check out my Meal Mindset™ Masterclass where I’m teaching you how to eat better with a busy schedule.
More information below.
