7 Ways To Make Back To School Meal Prep Easier
As summer fun winds down it’s time to mentally prepare for the hustle and bustle of back to school! With the purchasing of back to school supplies, start up of extra curricular activities and PTA meetings we don’t want your meals (or health) to get lost in the mix. That’s why A Perfect Fit is providing you with 7 ways to make back to school meal prep easier…
1. PLAN AHEAD
Take a glance at your calendar and decide when is the most logical time for you to meal prep and pack lunches? Designating time on your day off for meal prep will save you time and money during your busy week. Ideally you do not want to get stuck packing lunches as you’re trying to get the kids out the door. We recommend packing lunches (and prepping items for breakfast too) the night before.
2. GET THE FAMILY INVOLVED
Are your kids old enough to make a sandwich, pack their own string cheese, fruit etc? Involving your children in meal prep will not only save time but also teach your kids valuable skills. You might even make a few lasting memories together!
3. UTILIZE LEFTOVERS
Was dinner a slam dunk with the family? We suggest packing a serving for tomorrow’s lunch. Having leftovers promotes less waste and saves you time and money.
4. DON’T FORGET ABOUT BREAKFAST
Studies show evidence that suggests beneficial effects of breakfast for on-task behavior in the classroom. Also, a positive association between habitual breakfast frequency and quality on school grades or achievement test scores (1).
Some popular make-ahead breakfast ideas include; egg bites, yogurt and fruit parfaits, overnight oats, breakfast sandwiches, breakfast burritos, frozen spinach or berry waffles and chia pudding to name a few.
5. REMEMBER SNACKS
Hangry is a whole mood, trust us, we know! Instead of the kids getting home from school and waiting until dinner to eat, it is important to have after school snacks readily available. Keep items on hand like homemade protein energy bites, individual jars with hummus or nut/seed butter and prepped veggies sticks or apple slices, or string cheese.
6. CONTAINERS MATTER
Sorry, but your mom’s old spaghetti stained Tupperware is out. Choose containers for meal prep that are oven/microwave safe, BPA free, and easy to clean. Bento Style boxes are great for packing lunches or snacks. Make sure whatever you pick is leak proof. There are even some with removable ice packs to help keep food at safe temperatures.
7. WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER
Utilize kitchen equipment, tools, and ingredients that will make your life easier. Equipment like the Crock Pot or Instant Pot can really be game changers when it comes to busy weeknight dinners, don’t be afraid to give them a try. Also, did you know that if you cook in a convection oven it cooks 25% faster than a conventional oven (2)? Ingredients that may be helpful are bagged salads, pre chopped vegetables, and rotisserie chickens.
On a final note, we know how busy life can get. We understand and are here to help. Our chefs add a personalized touch to meal time so it is one less thing on your plate (see what we did there). Reach out today to try a personal chef with no commitment - we promise you’ll love it!
References
Adolphus K, Lawton CL, Dye L. The effects of breakfast on behavior and academic performance in children and adolescents. Front Hum Neurosci. 2013 Aug 8;7:425. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2013.00425. PMID: 23964220; PMCID: PMC3737458.
Gold, B. (2022, August 23). What is convection cooking, and when should you use it over regular roasting or baking?. Real Simple. https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/cooking/convection-baking-regular-baking
