Dinnertime—it's an opportunity to slow down, unwind and catch up with one another over a delicious and healthy meal. Unfortunately, for too many of us, dinnertime is stressful. I mean, who has the time to be thinking about dinner when they have a job, kids, household chores, social commitments, or other endless to-do lists? So many of us fall into bad habits of ordering unhealthy and expensive takeaways or cooking the same boring pasta dish every night. If this is you, you might want to consider healthy meal prep and a meal prep delivery from Dinnerly. It's a sure way to de-stress your weeknight dinners!
What Is Meal Prep?
First, let’s cover the basics. Meal prep simply means pre-preparing meals. There are lots of different ways to do this, here are three common techniques:
1) Batch Cooking
You cook multiple dishes to be portioned and stored. Usually, batch cookers freeze their meals so that they last longer.
2) Portioned Meals
Alternatively, people cook only one dish, but they make enough to last them several dinners. This is the most time-efficient way to meal prep; it’s great for single people who don't mind repeating dinners.
3) Ingredient Prep
You don't need to make an entire meal in one go. If you like cooking and serving food at the same time, you can prep just part of the recipe. Some people pre-chop veggies, marinate meat or mix spices. Be creative, there is no set way to meal prep!
Why Should You Meal Prep?
We think that meal prepping is awesome! Here are 3 ways it will change your life (for the better).
1) Save Time
Meal prepping will save you so much time. Imagine coming home after a long day and not having to think about meal planning, supermarket shopping, and cooking. You cook at a time that suits you so that your dinners are ready to go on the other days.
2) Save Money
Bulk buying your food is far more cost-effective than doing small grocery shops throughout the week. You are also less likely to buy expensive take-aways or lunches out if you have pre-prepared food in the fridge or a packed lunch.
3) Eat Healthier
Meal prepping and healthy eating go hand in hand. Saying no to fast-food temptations is much easier when you have a fridge full of healthy meal prep waiting for you at home. Meal prepping gives you full control over what you are eating. Make sure you eat balanced meals and if you need to you can control portion sizes.
How To Meal Prep
Now you understand what meal prep is, the only thing left to do is to get started! Here are Dinnerly's tips and tricks to get you meal prepping:
1) Think about storage and reheating
Before you embark on your meal prep adventure, you must consider your kitchen's capabilities. Do you have enough containers? (We recommend using quality containers that will last and won't leak!) How much room is there in your fridge/ freezer? Think about how you'll reheat food, will you have access to a microwave or will you use a stovetop or oven? Once you have answered all these questions, you can decide which style of meal prepping suits you best.
2) Simple menu planning
Keep meal planning simple, its dinner not rocket science! Plan your meals in advance and don't waste time with fancy recipes. Prep healthy and balanced meals that won't take too long to cook, and remember to prepare enough food. Most importantly, cook something you and your family will love! After all, if it's not tasty, you're not going to continue meal prepping.
3) Manage your time
Remember to keep it simple, you don't have to prep 20 meals at once! Set aside enough time for cooking and don't spend too long on one dish. One-pot recipes are perfect for simple cooking and they require minimal washing up! Check out Dinnerly's no-oven recipes for some quick and easy dinner inspiration.
How To Ace Meal Prepping With Meal Prep Delivery
Ordering from a food delivery service like Dinnerly is the best way to master meal prep. A food delivery service, or more precisely a meal kit, will send you recipes and a fresh food delivery so you don't have to meal plan or grocery shop—it's dinner delivered! The only thing you have to worry about is prepping the meals for the week.
How Much Is Meal Prep Delivery?
Does it all sound too good to be true? Well, the best news is, if you cook with Dinnerly, portions start at only $4.49, making it the most affordable meal kit in America. In fact, it's better value than your local supermarket!
What’s The Best Meal Prep Delivery Service?
Ummm… I think you've guessed it… Dinnerly! If you're looking for an unfussy and affordable meal prep plan, then Dinnerly is the only meal kit for you. Dinnerly was created for people who like homemade cooking but who love to make life easier. Our recipes are designed with simplicity in mind so that you can whip up a delicious and healthy dinner in under half an hour.
So, if you're serious about meal prep, let us do the hard work. Find out more about us and about meal prep deliveries and check out the Dinnerly menu now.
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