Deciding what to have for dinner each night can be a daily conundrum for many of us. As a result, we may find ourselves in line at a fast food restaurant more than we care to admit. But it does not have to be this way. By preparing at least portions of our meals in advance, we can have home cooked, healthy meals on a regular basis.

Research shows people who regularly do advanced meal preparation tend to consume more fruits and vegetables and eat an overall more balanced diet. Meal prepping is extremely popular as it allows us to live our hectic lives while still providing our families with nutritious foods. It saves time because steps in the cooking process are already completed to varying degrees. The process may include simply prepping ingredients to be used later to completely preparing dishes that are stored until later use. Meal prepping also takes some of the stress and frustration out of deciding what to eat each night.

If you have never tried meal prepping before, start small and don’t invest a lot of money. At first, aim to prepare two to three meals per week in advance. Find nutritious recipes that your family would enjoy and make a grocery list of the needed ingredients. Allow your family to chime in on the meals or ask them if there is a new food or recipe they would like to try.

It is easier to set aside one day for grocery shopping and meal prepping as it cuts down on the number of times you have to handle the food and gives you a set time to work meal prepping into your busy schedule. Include your family in the food preparation. Not only will it help spread out the cooking responsibilities, but it will also teach your family basic cooking skills and healthy eating habits.

Remember food safety when preparing food. When using a cutting board, slice vegetables before cutting meat. Store produce and meat separate to avoid contamination. While most people associate meal prepping with dinnertime, you can also prepare quick breakfasts or use leftovers for lunches. When dinner is cooking, make the most of your time in the kitchen. Chop veggies for a salad the next day, or slice some fruit for a quick grab-and-go snack.

After the food is prepared, store it in an airtight container and either place it in the refrigerator or freezer depending up on how soon you plan to eat it. Consume refrigerated meals within five days. Freezing will allow you to store meals for a longer time.

As you become a meal-prepping pro, you can watch for sales to stock up on food staples and increase the number of meals you prepare at home.

More information on meal prepping and healthy eating is available at the Henderson County Extension office at 270-826-8387 or send an email to amanda.hardy@uky.edu.

Upcoming events:

  • Thursday—Summer Cooking Class at 11:15 a.m. or 5:15 p.m. at the Henderson County Expo Center. Learn some easy and tasty recipes for the summertime. Along with recipes we will have sampling of cooked food items. Class is free but you must call to sign up!
  • June 1—Diabetes Adventure Camp from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Brain Injury Adventure Camp, Robards, Kentucky (behind Columbia Sportswear in 4 Star Park). Pre-registration required by contacting Karen at (270) 852-5426 or (270) 860-7333 to request a form. All forms MUST be completed and returned by May 28. Open to children and teens with diabetes and their parents/guardians. Event is free. Sponsored by Henderson County Diabetes Coalition.
  • June 12—Basket Weaving Class from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Henderson County Expo Center Project Room. Cost for the class/material is $25 per person. Taught by Jinger Wilson. Make a decorative flag basket. Space is very limited. Please call the Extension Office to reserve your spot 270-826-8387.
  • June 19—Insta-Pot Cooking Class at 11:15 a.m. or 5:15 p.m. at the Henderson County Expo Center. Come out and learn how use the insta-pot. You will receive recipes and sampling of cooked food items. Class is free but you must call to sign up!

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