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Meal Prep: The Smart Way to Save Time

Nowadays, people do not have time to spend hours in the kitchen. When food is ordered from outside again and again, it not only hurts the pocket but also affects the health. The solution to this problem lies in meal prep, which is becoming increasingly popular. In this, the whole week’s vegetables are usually chopped and cooked and stored in the refrigerator, which saves time and reduces the need to eat outside.

Things to keep in mind while meal prep

However, if meal prep is not done properly, it can be harmful to your health. Storing food incorrectly, keeping it for too long or reheating it repeatedly can spoil the food. Let us know which common mistakes should be avoided while preparing meals.

cook a week’s worth of food together

Many people prepare food for 6-7 days on Sunday and keep it in the fridge, which is not right. If you want to save time, make gravy and keep it in separate containers, but it is better to cook the food fresh. Storing cooked food for a long time can reduce its taste, texture and nutrients.

placing hot food directly into the refrigerator

Even if you are short on time, do not put the hot pot directly in the refrigerator. Hot food can increase the temperature of the refrigerator, which can affect other foods. First, let the food cool slightly, but do not leave it at room temperature for too long, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Selecting the wrong container

It is important to select the right container when meal prepping. Not every container is suitable for storing food. If the quality of the container is not good, plastic containers can release harmful chemicals when they come in contact with hot food. Always use food-grade or BPA free containers or airtight glass containers.

pre-cut fruits and vegetables

During meal prep, people often cut up all the fruits and vegetables in advance. But after cutting, some vitamins gradually degrade due to exposure to air and light. Vegetables can also spoil quickly if moisture increases. Therefore, as far as possible, cut fruits and vegetables as needed. If it is necessary to cut them in advance, store them properly in an airtight container and use them as soon as possible.