Meal Preparation: The Secret to a Successful Work Week

For Professionals today, time is always a scarce resource, especially when you are working full-time.

Editor’s note: this is part one of a two part series.

Work needs to get done and deadlines need to be met, often at the expense of other important aspects of life, such as health and nutrition.

We need fuel to keep us going, but in a fast-paced world, we often turn to fast food and convenience items when we don’t have the time to cook.

Or, we may skip meals and then end up overeating at the end of the day, often with excess of foods that are not nutritious. While these habits may seem small, they can quickly become routine and may have a greater impact on health than you think.

Why Making Last Minute Decisions on Food Can Have Long-term Effects

When we don’t plan ahead, it becomes easy to stray from our healthy habits. Didn’t plan for breakfast this morning?

You may end up stopping by the box of donuts in the conference room brought in by a coworker. Or you could end up skipping breakfast altogether which could not only cause you to over eat later in the day but can also effect your work and productivity.

Forgot to pack a lunch?

Maybe you will order take-out or run to a fast-food restaurant to quickly grab something that you will likely not enjoy as much as if you had prepared it yourself. Also, fast food and take-out foods are often high in salt and saturated fats, which can negatively impact your health if chronically consumed in high amounts.

Good nutrition is essential to overall health and what you eat affects the way you feel.

Eating foods that are high in sugars, grease, and salt can leave you feeling sluggish and result in a crash, which can deeply impact your productivity and bottom line. Also, when consumed in high amounts on a regular basis, excess of these foods can have detrimental health effects and can lead to chronic diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

There is no doubt that our lives continue to become busier and we often put the needs of others before our own.

However, self-care is the first step to taking care of others and being successful in whatever you pursue. While time is often a limiting factor, a little planning and few tips can set you off on the right direction to have a successful week and help you to feel better.

Building healthy habits can lead to long-term success and the time you spend preparing will be recouped when you really need it.

A Little Planning Can Have a Huge Impact

The secret to meal planning and preparation is to set aside some time that is dedicated to just that. Look at your calendar and decide what your schedule will allow.

Maybe it is three hours on Sunday afternoon. Maybe it is only one hour on Monday night. Whatever time you can commit to planning and preparing your meals will help set your week in the right direction.

Make a List

Think about what kinds of healthy foods you like and write them down.

Also think about your schedule and when you will have time to eat and where. Does your office have a refrigerator you can use to store perishable items?

Is it shared with other coworkers? If not, can you bring a lunch bag with an ice pack or do you need non-perishable food options?

These are important things to consider when planning out your meals and deciding what to prepare, as they can effect your success. It is important to manage your expectations and know your limitations.

Maybe your friend is boasting of her success with a certain lifestyle change, but if that change will not fit into your environment or match your desires, it is best not to compare yourself. Think about what is possible and what will work for you and your workplace.

Grocery shopping is key

Grocery shopping is key, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Making a list before you go to the grocery store is essential for preventing over purchasing of items you don’t need and under purchasing of items you do need. Avoid going to the grocery store hungry, as most people tend to over buy things they don’t need when they are feeling hungry when it is time to shop.

If you do not have the time to go to the grocery store, it is not a problem in the modern age. Many food delivery services exist so that you can complete your grocery shopping from the comfort of your home or desk and have your groceries delivered to your door. If you do not have time to visit the store, grocery delivery services are a great option.

In part 2 we’ll cover Meal Preparation Keys to Success and Meal Preparation Essentials

Related articles:

Small Business Owner Productivity is an Ounce of Prevention

Understanding and Serving Your Customers

Business Leader, Heal Thyself” 

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