One of the best things you could ever do for yourself is batch cooking for one full week. When you prepare enough food to last you for an entire week, you won’t be as tempted to indulge in junk food. After doing this for a few months you may just be surprised by the drastic difference it makes to your bank balance and your clothes size.
Prepare before you begin
For those of you who have decided to undertake the challenge of batch cooking for one full week, it is a good idea to do a grocery run so that you have all of the ingredients you need to prepare your meals. This way you can cook without any interruptions. It is also a good idea to stock up on reusable containers so that you have somewhere to keep your meals once you have cooked them. Not only does it look neater but it also reduces the amount of waste you are producing.
Think outside of the box
Preparing food for the entire week does not necessarily mean that you need to cook all of the meals that you are going to eat. Instead, you can think of your favourite meals at restaurants near you and order a portion or two to enjoy throughout the week. This is a great way to save money as you are unlikely to be tempted by other dishes on the menu when you order something that needs to fit into your meal plan.
Don’t be afraid of your freezer
The key to batch cooking for one full week is your freezer. Often, batch cooking is ruined by food that is spoiled before you have had the chance to eat it. A good strategy is to fill enough containers for the fridge to last from Monday to Wednesday. The rest of the meals should be individually portioned and frozen. Then you can take one package out, reheat it and enjoy it. Freezer options are virtually limitless: place sandwiches and pancakes in individual bags and freeze. Once you are ready to eat them, simply let them defrost at room temperature.
Experiment with cuisines
When batch cooking for one full week, it is tempting to make your favourite foods. However, eating like this for a few weeks is guaranteed to get boring. Instead, you can keep an eye out for new and exciting recipes to try. This way you can alternate between your favourites and exotic Thai and Middle-Eastern recipes. You may even want to visit local restaurants for inspiration for dishes that you can include in your weekly meal plan.
No meal plan is complete without desserts
Including a sweet treat into your meal plan is one way to guarantee that you stay on plan. Opt for something healthy like muffins, banana bread or bliss balls made from nut butter, dates and seeds. This way you have something to reach for once those chocolate cravings come knocking.
