Meal Prep Doesn’t Have to Be Hard

Healthy cooking doesn’t take any special tools or knowledge. In fact, there are hundreds of thousands of recipes available at your fingertips thanks to the internet. But if you’re a first-timer at healthy meal prepping, especially for multiple people in a household, you might be feeling a little intimidated. Luckily, nutritionist Jaici Wright is here to help, with plenty of tips and tricks of the trade to get you started on the right foot. 

When getting in the habit of meal planning, Wright recommends starting small and building up from there. 

“Start with meals you feel confident making,” said Wright. “I think some people start off with a lot of gusto, making a ton of new recipes they’ve never made before with a lot of new ingredients. But starting with the basics and what you already know will be beneficial to building the habit.” 

Of course, that doesn’t mean you should never branch out and experiment. 

“Once you get more confident with meal planning and cooking becomes more habitual, you could start incorporating newer, more advanced recipes and adventurous dishes you’ve always wanted to try.” 

If you have a couple picky eaters under your roof, meal planning might feel like an even bigger challenge. But Wright emphasized that the best habits can be built through example—which might mean it’s time to get comfortable with broccoli, at least in front of the kids. 

“Developing good eating habits for your children starts with parents having good habits too,” said Wright. “Children look up to their parents and will mimic habits if they can and want to. For example, if you know your kids love McDonald’s McNuggets, then try making your own at home!”

“Getting your children involved in the kitchen and letting them be part of the cooking process will help them understand how food is made, and why making your own food is important.” Wright added.

One of the key aspects of a healthy meal-prep strategy is knowing what type of nutrition you need. Part of Wright’s job as a nutritionist at the Greenfield Hancock Wellness Center is helping patients learn exactly that. 

“Nutritional plans are based on the patients’ goals, state of health, and their personal body measures like weight and height,” said Wright. “We present plans differently based on how patients understand data. Some people work best with a calorie-counting app, while others need a completely tailored food menu that will help them hit their goals.

“There are plenty of options to choose from, and we discuss together in our appointment what direction they want to go, so they can reach their nutritional goals in the way that works best for them.” If you’re ready to get started on your own nutrition journey, set up an appointment with a nutritionist at a Hancock Wellness Center near you.