With families getting back into school routines now, more than ever, these meal prep tips will come in handy!
For many families, summertime is full of time off work and school, trips, sports, and extended time outside. Routines are different or non-existent, and the summer can become a food free-for-all.
Now that the kids are returning to school, it’s time to get back to meal planning and prepping.
And if you’re like me, even without kids, returning to school signifies a return to routines.
So what are some simple ways to prepare meals that are more affordable and convenient?
6 Meal Prep Tips | Keto or Otherwise
Let me know which ones you are going to give a try!
Boil eggs in batches.
The ten minutes it takes to boil an egg is not that much time. When you consider the length of time it takes for the water to boil, then for the egg to cool, you’ve spent at least 30 minutes or more preparing a single egg. This is why I love to cook them in batches. Once they’re boiled and cooled, they can be kept in the fridge for snacks that can either be packed for school or work. They also make an excellent topping for a salad, deviled eggs are a delicious snack, and egg salad are all quick and easy ways to use boiled eggs.
Shred your cheese and use MCT oil to prevent sticking.
Save time and money by shredding a brick of cheese and storing it in a ziplock or fridge/freezer-safe container. The MCT oil prevents it from sticking!
Keep a running grocery list!
It’s a more efficient use of time to get everything you need in one grocery store visit. Use a pad or a small whiteboard in the kitchen to jot down items as you realize they need to be replenished. This way, when you get to the grocery store, you’ll be able to check everything off your list without running back for one item.
Purchase meat in bulk and store it as single serving.
(or whatever your family size is) packages! Meat is always cheaper when bought in bulk, and it is super easy to store in a family or single-sized ziplocks or containers. Plus, it all fits neater in the freezer when stored this way. When it is time to prepare a meal, it can be quickly taken out and defrosted!
Make casseroles or soups ahead of time and store them as single portions.
When evenings get super busy, it is helpful to have home-cooked keto meals ready to go! Another stackable favorite when they are placed in single-serving fridge or freezer-safe containers!
If you are not an avid fan/consumer of Kettle & Fire bone broth (like I am, especially with a discount!), making your own and storing it in the freezer in single servings is a great idea.
Bone broth takes days to make, so you do not want to waste it!
The nutritional benefits are unmatched, so having a running stash of bone broth is always an intelligent meal prep and keto idea!
Meal prep saves more time than just preparing food.
It saves the energy in figuring out what you and your family will eat when you have already had a busy day. It will save you from the chaos of figuring out what to eat when the day has not gone as expected. More than anything, it will free up time to spend with your loved ones or just alone with yourself!
Hopefully, these tips have helped. Let me know in the comments which meal prep tips are your favorite!
Talk soon,
Amy XO
Thank you! Very helpful.
I need to prep everything. Wonderful ideas. Thank you for all you do Amy
Great advise. Thanks
Thank you so much for all you do to help people! Your wonderful $
Thanks for the great tips. This is an area I need to focus on.
Thank you for reinforcing the tips.
Most of them I already do. You have helped so many of us to reach ouir goals . So appreciate that and all that you do! Thank you
Thank you. We meal prep and it saves us so much time.
Thank you, you have some really great prep ideas.
Great reminders. I’m going to start storing the meat in serving sizes. I always end up wasting or scrambling to use the extra.
Always great suggestions & helpful!
Thanks for great ideas. I freeze cheese. I buy on sale divide it, shred some etc and freeze it. Buy meats on sale too and freeze in portions and that saves time and money. I make some of my own condiments and I grow herbs, make pesto with almonds and line ice cube trays with plastic wrap fill with pesto, freeze then twist tie individual servings.
Thank you for the heads up. It is always good to hear from you. Hope you are feeling well.
Thank you for giving me some direction of how to get started. Getting into meal planning before the holidays is going to help.
I do all of these! Being prepared makes all the difference
Oh these are great ideas. I have been doing some of them for a while. One I like to do every week is chop salad veggies and place in canning jars. The veggies stay fresher a bit longer. Like a week.
Love these reminders Amy!
Re: boiled eggs – I love my mini-egg cooker! So easy: to pour the measured amount of water, prick the larger end of the egg and place in the holder, cover and press the button…you are Free to move on to something else until the machine SCREAMS 😆
I always have my ice bath ready when they are finished!!
Love mine
Thank you! Great time savers
Good morning Amy. I am retired I like making soup and etc. most times. I do cook every every second day.
Always good info.
Thank you for great advice.
You a wonderful person to help all of us in the UCanketo group.
Thank you for all the tips!
I’m going to really put effort into this again. I follow you as much as I can. Thank you for your tips!
So much easier to prepare meals when items already prepped or prepared and frozen for later days.
Great reminder. Thanks!
Being prepared is always the key to sucess when trying to stick with a healthy eating plan. I am challenged with sticking to the prep process. Life gets so busy but when I do plan to prep and follow through it makes all the difference in the world. Having things that are approved and easy to grab keep me from grabbing something unhealthy because “I’m starving”. A new tip was using MCT oil for the shredded cheese!! Thanks Amy for the reminder and the new tips.
Amy,
I have loved your Facebook page and your recipes. My husband and I have been off keto for a couple years and have been talking about getting back into the swing of things….
I love this idea of meal prep, i have struggled with the idea all my life. We have been eating out and NOT eating good at all!
We are going to get back into it and last week was the first of my meal prep.
Thanks for all you do for this community!
Thanks