One of the root causes of many of our problems is the fact that we are always in a rush. We always feel like we don’t have time for anything, and that leads us to make choices based on convenience.

Everyone is busy, and all too often, we choose what we eat because it’s convenient. A lot of the time, convenient food choices don’t equate to healthy choices. 

Meal prepping or preparing meals ahead of time is a great way to avoid regretful decisions. When you’re working to lose weight or gain fitness, having your meals prepared in advance can help you in numerous ways.

You’ll Save Time

The main reason people decide to try meal prepping is that they want to save time. They want to cut the time spent thinking or worrying about what to eat. Having a meal ready to reheat or quickly put together by dinner time can save you hours.

You can choose one or two days of the week to clean, cut, and pre-cook ingredients. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to cook or pack entire meals to meal prep. However, having meals packed and ready to go is ultimately more convenient.

You’ll Save Money

When you meal prep, you will be more likely to buy your ingredients in bulk. Buying food in large amounts can be a whole lot cheaper than buying just enough for one meal. Try to choose food that has a longer shelf life and can be stored after being cooked for a few days. Then, when staple items and spices go on sale, make sure to stock up.

Having your meals prepared ahead of time also prevents you from eating at restaurants or even buying snacks. Since meal prepping is not only for meals, you can munch on chopped vegetables or fruits, or grab a boiled egg when you get hungry. Plus, you’ll feel guilty if you don’t eat the food you’ve prepared. Imagine the money saved on that!

You’ll Introduce Variety

Meal prepping is an opportunity to try new recipes, new proteins, new carbs—new everything. Every type of food offers various nutrients, so don’t be afraid to try something new. There are a lot of options for you to choose from, and you certainly wouldn’t want to eat the same thing every day for weeks.

A common misconception about meal prep is that you’ll prepare multiple portions of a meal to eat over the course of the week. Ingredients can be seasoned, cooked, or combined in a variety of ways. You can also introduce food from different cuisines to your meal plan!

You’ll Be Aware of Portion Control

When you prepare and pack your meals in advance, you have total control over how much food you’ll consume for a certain meal. You can easily measure and control the amount of carbs, calories, protein and other nutrients in your meal. By preparing your own food, you are less likely to be fooled by eating “healthy” food at restaurants.

If your main focus is trying to lose weight, you’re probably trying to create a calorie deficit. By being aware of how much you consume and how much you burn, you can easily keep track of your weight-loss goals.

You’ll Avoid Unhealthy Food Choices

Meal prep involves planning your meals ahead of time, meaning you will very likely only purchase the ingredients you need. It also means you’re sticking to a number of healthy ingredients for your meals and snacks. By preparing healthy, satiating meals, you are also less likely to crave unhealthy snacks.

Give it a shot!

Meal prepping is the perfect option for those who are trying to save their wallet while saving their waistline. One common complaint is that healthy food is expensive. People who are on the go also tend to rely on supplements—very expensive!— rather than whole foods to reach their daily needs. Ultimately, meal prep is more affordable, efficient, and a much more fun way to help achieve your goals.