It's tempting to avoid cooking when you're living alone, but it is a great way to stay healthy and save money.Change the way you shop so you only buy what you need.You can use the food in other meals if you store the leftovers.It's possible to make meal prep easier for yourself by cooking in large batches.
Step 1: You can make a weekly meal plan.
You can use your schedule to make a list of meals.Consider the amount of time you have to prepare food each day.Keeping the weather in mind will help you plan meals that you actually want to eat.If you'll be working all weekend, you want meals that are easy to prepare.If the weather is going to be very hot for several days in a row, make meals that don't require turning on the oven.
Step 2: You should plan meals that you enjoy.
If you want to know if you'll be excited about eating the meals, look over the list.If there are meals you don't want to eat, you'll be less likely to make them.You can either schedule meals that inspire you or stick with your favorites.Every week, try a new recipe or ingredient.It's possible to find a new favorite flavor.
Step 3: You can write down a grocery list.
When you have a list of meals, look through your pantry to see what ingredients you already have and what you need to buy.You should only buy what you need for the week if you write down the ingredients you'll need.To make grocery shopping more efficient, divide your grocery list into sections.You can create a produce, meat, dry goods, and frozen section on your list.
Step 4: To stay on-budget, stick to your grocery list.
You can reduce your grocery bill by following a grocery list.When it comes to produce, remind yourself to only buy what you need.Consider the cost of your meals when trying to balance your budget.If you want to make an expensive meal one night but don't have a lot of money, you can eat leftovers or a few inexpensive meals.
Step 5: Buy smaller portions.
You'll either need to store or use large portions of food if you stock up on sales.You should only buy what you need for the week.Use the meat counter to buy small cuts or use the bulk bins to measure out just what you need.If a recipe calls for only a small amount of an ingredient, it's a good idea to look for other alternatives.
Step 6: Try to make fewer recipes.
You should read the recipes before making them.You can cut the recipe down to a manageable size if it makes more than you want.If a recipe serves 8 to 10, you shouldn't scale it down to 1 or it may not turn out right.Cut the recipe in half.You can either freeze or eat leftovers.Baking recipes rely on precise measurement such as volume, surface area, temperature and time.
Step 7: Divide food into large portions.
Use a large amount of food to make a base for other meals and then freeze them to use in future recipes.You can portion the food into small containers and freeze them.For busy weeks, batches cooking is a great way to jump start meal prep.If you only have one or two nights to cook for yourself, use them to make large batches of steamed grains, cooked chicken, or roasted veggies.Store them until you're ready to eat them.
Step 8: Simple meals will give you a break.
If you don't feel like cooking or making something from a recipe, have a few basic meals planned.Simple meals can be prepared without a recipe or with little effort.You can make yourself: soups sandwiches, pastas, grain and bowls.
Step 9: Turn leftovers into food.
You might become tired of eating the same meal several days in a row.To create a new dish the next day, use elements of the meal.If you roast chicken, shred it to use in soups, casseroles, pastas or salads.Budget friendly, using leftovers will stretch your food and reduce food waste.
Step 10: You can take leftovers for lunch the next day.
Take leftovers for lunch if you don't want to use them for dinner.It's possible that you need to add a few things to your lunch.If you have a leftover piece of grilled salmon that you ate with rice and veggies, you can eat it with a salad and fruit for lunch.
Step 11: It's a good idea to make dessert.
You can make a cake for yourself and eat it all week.Small portions of dessert can be made for more variety.You can make a lot of desserts by cooking them in individual containers.You have more control over portion size with desserts like small puddings, cookies, cupcakes, and ice cream.
Step 12: The extra serving should be frozen and made into standard recipes.
You can make standard recipes even if you're cooking for one.You can portion the remaining food into freezer safe containers.You can easily find freezer meals if you organize your freezer.You can make your own frozen dinners.
Step 13: There is a date on frozen food.
You can use a permanent marker to label each package of food.You can easily tell how much food is in a package by writing down portion sizes.Use the food within a month or two if you write down the date you froze it.Since you won't be able to remember what you've frozen, it's important to label small portions of food.
Step 14: You should organize your freezer.
If you have a lot of small freezer containers, you'll need to place them in the freezer so you can easily find what you need.If you put whole meals in one section of the freezer, you can also put parts of them in another section.You should sort through your freezer every few months.