Meal prepping is a helpful strategy for people who want to eat healthy, save time, and feel good.
The meal prep trend is expected to continue to grow as people adopt busier lifestyles, making it a vital tool that helps people balance work and health.
Maintaining a healthy diet in today's hectic environment can be difficult, particularly for working parents, students, and professionals who have a lot on their plate. The growing popularity of meal prep has become a lifesaver, offering a quick and easy way to ensure healthy eating without the daily grind.
“Meal prepping, or cooking meals in advance, allows people to make thoughtful, healthy choices while reducing stress levels during the work week. Beyond its utility, however, meal prepping has gained popularity in the industry as companies and influencers highlight quick, healthy dishes that fit into people’s hectic schedules,” says Simrat Kathuria, CEO and lead dietitian at The Diet Xperts.
The growing demand for easy-to-prepare recipes has fueled the emergence of a wealth of online resources and smartphone apps that promote speed and ease without compromising nutrition. “Industry experts recommend foods that are easy to reheat, keep for several days, and can be prepared in large quantities. Quinoa bowls, roasted vegetable mixes, protein-rich salads, and overnight oats are some of the most popular options. These meals are not only easy to prepare, but are also made with well-balanced macronutrients to keep people satiated and energized throughout the day,” Kathuria adds.
In addition, companies catering to meal preparation needs have grown. “The planning and shopping phases have been eliminated thanks to subscription-based services like Blue Apron, HelloFresh and Green Chef, which offer pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes. Some companies have gone so far as to offer customized plans that cater to particular dietary requirements, such as gluten-free, vegan or keto,” Kathuria says.
By spreading content on social media, influencers and dietitians have a significant impact on this expanding trend and foster a community passionate about meal prep. Through weekly recipe suggestions and 15-minute meal prep challenges, these individuals have helped increase accessibility to healthy eating.
The meal prep trend is expected to continue to grow as people adopt busier lifestyles, making it a vital tool to help people balance work and health. Meal prepping is a useful strategy for people who want to eat healthy, save time, and feel good.
