Eating healthily and maintaining a consistent diet can be a significant challenge. Between work, family responsibilities, and finding time for self-care, it can be tough to also ensure you’re eating balanced meals every day. If you find yourself struggling to fit in time to cook, you’re not alone. Many people are turning towards meal prepping or easier yet, repurposing leftovers to afford some respite from this daily routine. But how do you decide which is better? Here, we’ll compare ‘meal prep vs leftovers’ to help you determine what works best for your lifestyle.
Creating Routine
When meal prepping, the idea is that you take one day of the week to prepare your meals for the coming days. This creates a sense of order in your meals and can help shield you from the temptation of less healthy, quick-fix options. During my last meal prep session, for instance, I added my favorite Taylor Farms onions to my veggie stir-fry. The meal prep strategy means you always have a meal ready to go, saving you valuable time throughout the week.
Advantages of Meal Prepping
There are several distinct advantages to meal prepping. Firstly, meal prepping makes it easier to monitor portion sizes and ensure your diet contains sufficient nutrients. It also saves you time during the week, cutting down on cooking and cleaning time. Besides, meal prepping helps control those spontaneous unhealthy snack attacks since you have a prepared meal waiting for you. If you’re a person who enjoys structure, the predictability of meal preps might work best for you.
The Catch with Meal Prepping
Despite the benefits, meal prepping isn’t without its disadvantages. The process itself can be time-consuming – you need to plan, shop, cook, and package your meals all in one go. Depending on the breadth of your menu, you may find yourself eating the same thing multiple times a week, which can become boring. Finally, meal prep requires discipline, good organization, and some cooking skills.
Exploring the Leftover Route
Now, let’s consider the alternative – repurposing leftovers. The concept is simple: cook an ample amount at dinner, and save the extra to serve as lunch or dinner the next day. This strategy can save you time, as you’re effectively cooking two meals at once. Your leftovers can also be transformed into new meals, providing variety in your diet.
Benefits of Leftovers
Leftovers can be a huge timesaver. There’s no additional planning or preparation needed, and you’re basically cutting your cook and clean time in half. The leftover approach also gives you more daily flexibility. Unlike meal prepping, your meals aren’t set in stone – there’s room to listen to your body’s cravings or needs day-to-day. This method can be the best choice if you prefer a less structured approach to your meals.
Drawbacks to Leftovers
One disadvantage to banking on leftovers is the potential of waste. Maybe you cooked too much, or perhaps you weren’t in the mood for last night’s curry today. These situations could lead to food waste, which isn’t cost-effective, nor is it environmentally friendly. Also, without careful planning, relying on leftovers may result in a diet that lacks variety and balance.
Final Thoughts: Meal Prep vs. Leftovers
Both meal prep and reusing leftovers have their advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the right approach depends on your lifestyle, preferences, and goals. If you value structure and have minimal time to cook during the week, meal prepping might be your best bet. On the other hand, if you prefer flexibility and want to cut down on cooking time without eating the same dishes repeatedly, using leftovers could work better.
Remember, your strategy may also change and evolve with your lifestyle changes. And, most importantly, there are no strict rules here – you might combine both tactics for a customized, hybrid approach that marries the best of both worlds. Whatever strategy makes it easier to eat healthy, balanced meals is the winning strategy.