Cheap meal preparation ideas: fitnessista

Share a summary of food preparation ideas that you can do at a low price.

Hello friends! How are you? I hope you are having a great day so far! I have a morning full of appointments and I look forward to the family dinner tonight.

Today, I wanted to chat a little about the preparation of meals, because lately he has been saving my bacon.

Meal preparation is one of my favorite ways to keep the way with healthy eating goals, but also save money at the same time. When life gets agitated (what always does), having economic meals ready to use is a total gamechanger. I feel that if you are feeding a family, trying to eat healthier or simply want to spend less in the grocery store, food preparation can seriously simplify your routine.

Today, I wanted to share a summary of cheap meal preparation ideas that are delicious, super easy and quick to do, and do not break the bank. I love that food preparation helps eliminate “what’s for dinner?” Stress and keeps us away from the expensive food to carry. Most of these meals use basic pantry products or affordable ingredients, and do enough for leftovers.

Cheap meal preparation ideas

These recipes are perfect for weekly planning, batch kitchen and make sure you always have a friendly meal ready to work.

Whether you are new in meal planning or an experienced professional, I hope this publication inspires you (and saves you a few dollars! Let’s be real, the groceries are a million dollars at this time).

What is food preparation?

Meal preparation is the practice of preparing meals or ingredients in advance to save time and money throughout the week. It could mean cutting vegetables, cooking protein or assembling complete meals in containers. The idea is to have meals to eat or cook quickly, so it is less tempted to take something unhealthy or expensive.

Meal preparation can help reduce food waste, expedite your grocery shopping and make your week softer in general. In addition, he often leads to healthier options since he is planning meals in advance.

Is food cheaper?

Absolutely! When planning in advance and prepares your meals, you can make the most of the sales of groceries, buy bulk ingredients and avoid the purchase of impulses or the food to wear last minute. When cooking in lots, it also uses its ingredients more efficiently and wasted less food.

Some people think that healthy eating is expensive, but meal preparation shows that it can eat well without spending a fortune.

How to prepare food with a budget

Buy your first pantry

Before planning your meals, make an inventory of what you already have. It is easy to ignore products, grains or frozen items that can make excellent bases for a meal.

Choose economic proteins

Think of beans, lentils, eggs, canned tuna, tofu sprouted organic, organic ground meat and chicken thighs. These are nutritious already cheaper than other protein sources.

Buy seasonal products

The fruits and vegetables that are in season are usually cheaper and know better. Bonus points If you can find them in the local farmers markets! In addition, do not be afraid to go for frozen fruits and vegetables. They are often cheaper and frozen at the height of freshness.

Cook in lots

Make large lots of soups, stews, stews or roasted vegetables. These meals extend far and are easy to carry in containers for the week. I like to freeze everything in these souper cubes and then appear to store in the freezer.

Keep simple recipes

Do not feel you need to cook elaborate meals. A protein, a vegetable and a carbohydrates can go a long way in terms of nutrition and satisfaction.

Buy wisely

This is a bit inconvenient, but I buy a little. I try to get everything that can in Trader Joe’s because prices are better, get everything from Thrive Market (< - This link gives you a 40% discount on your first purchase!), And the rest of Whole Foods.

Cheap and healthy meal preparation ideas

Southwest chickens bowls

Crushed chicken, black beans, rice, sauteed vegetables, + cheese and/or sauce.

These bowls are super customizable and excellent for lunch or dinner. Make a big lot and buévalos in containers. You can also use leftover chicken or roast chicken to make it even easier.

Portion cost: ~ $ 2.50

Vegetarian Chile

This abundant and single -boat food is full of fiber and plant -based protein.

Portion cost: ~ $ 2.00

Ingredients:

1 can black beans

1 can kidney beans

1 can tomatoes in cubes

2 sweet potatoes cooked in cubes

1 onion, cut

1 pepper, chopped

1 can of green chiles

1 tablespoon of chili powder

1/2 teaspoon of oregano

1/2 teaspoon of cumin

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Step 1: Sauté onions, green onions and peppers in olive oil.

Step 2: Add the remaining ingredients and cook over low heat for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Let cool and portion in containers. Existenta a little of Lima at the top before serving.

Greek pasta salad with chickpeas

A cold salad full of proteins and fiber. Perfect for meal preparation lunch!

Portion cost: ~ $ 2.25

Ingredients:

1 regular pasta box or GF

1 can of chickpeas

1 cucumber, chopped

1/2 red onion, in fine slices

Cherry tomatoes

Feta

Fresh mint

Olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, pepper and a little honey

Instructions:

Step 1: Cook the pasta and let cool.

Step 2: Mix with chopped vegetables, mint, chickpeas, feta cheese and dressing.

Step 3: portion and refrigerated.

*Sometimes I add sun -dried tomatoes, feta cheese, basil, olives, whatever you have by hand.

More of my favorites:

– grilled chicken thighs (just cut and keep in the refrigerator)

– Sewed ground meat. Simply season time while cooking and keeping in the refrigerator

– Mediterranean egg bades

– Air frying tofu (Sazone only with tamari, garlic, salt, pepper and a small sriracha and fried air)

– Healthy food preparation for a week

You may also like these high protein meal preparation recipes or these food preparation salad recipes to get more ideas.

Let me know in the comments: Do you prepare the food every week? What are some of your favorite things to do?

XO