Packing a lunch: it’s one of those things you always say you’re going to do, but never actually get around to, like going to the gym or not drinking for just one weekend. It just makes so much sense. Not only can you save money by doing this, but you also have control over exactly what goes into your body, so you end up eating a lot healthier. The biggest problem? It takes time. Between balancing a hectic course load, part-time job, and numerous extracurricular activities, how’s a college girl to find the time to prep her meals?
1. Start small
I started by preparing snacks for the week. It doesn’t take much time, and it can save you so much money. I’d buy my snacks in bulk from Trader Joe’s and Safeway, then package them into little Ziploc bags for each day. In less than 10 minutes, you’ve prepped for your munchies throughout the week.
2. Choose your days wisely
Realistically speaking, I know that I can’t pack lunch for myself every day. Between getting home at 10pm each day and barely having time to breathe, most college students just can’t afford to prep every day and that’s perfectly fine. The first step to successful meal prep is knowing your limits. For me, that means only packing lunch on my most hectic days.
3. Make it count
I get hungry easily and honestly, when I pack salads I end up devouring them within the first three hours that I get on campus. That’s why I make sure to always pack more filling items like gnocchi, ravioli, or salmon. Whatever your eating habits, make sure that the food you pack is suited to them. This way, you’ll be motivated to continue your meal prep, since your food is so well catered to your needs!
I’m not going to lie. Meal prep is definitely tough to keep up. It involves setting aside time to plan in advance when you already have a full schedule. But in the long run, you’ll be healthier and happier, and your wallet will definitely be lighter.
Do you have any meal prep tips? Sound them off in the comments below.