How do you prep meals that use zero processed ingredients? Get a guide to creating a healthy and wholesome weekly menu from scratch.
1 Answer
Focus on whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Plan your meals around these ingredients and prepare them from scratch.
Detailed Explanation:
Preparing meals with zero processed ingredients requires careful planning and a commitment to cooking from scratch. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Plan Your Meals: Start by planning your meals for the week. Consider what whole, unprocessed foods are in season and readily available. Look for recipes that emphasize fresh ingredients.
Create a Shopping List: Based on your meal plan, create a detailed shopping list. Focus on buying fresh produce, lean proteins (like chicken, fish, or beans), whole grains (like quinoa, brown rice, or oats), and healthy fats (like avocados, nuts, and seeds).
Prep Ingredients: Dedicate time to prepping your ingredients. This might involve washing and chopping vegetables, portioning out proteins, and cooking grains in advance. Store prepped ingredients in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Cook from Scratch: Avoid pre-made sauces, dressings, and spice blends, as these often contain processed ingredients. Instead, make your own using fresh herbs, spices, and healthy oils. For example, create a simple salad dressing with olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs.
Batch Cooking: Consider batch cooking certain components of your meals, such as roasting a large tray of vegetables or cooking a pot of beans. This will save you time during the week.
Read Labels Carefully: Even when buying seemingly unprocessed foods, read labels carefully to ensure they don't contain added sugars, preservatives, or other processed ingredients. Look for single-ingredient items whenever possible.
Pro Tip:
Make your own spice blends! Store-bought blends often contain unnecessary additives. Creating your own allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavors to your liking.