Meal prepping is a valuable strategy for individuals managing diabetes, providing a convenient and consistent way to stick with your healthy eating plan while juggling a busy schedule. By planning and prepping meals in advance, you can make sure you have nutritious options ready and available, making it easier to follow your eating plan and manage blood glucose (blood sugar) levels.
What is meal prepping?
Meal prepping simply means creating a batch of meals all at once to eat later. This can be great for busy families or if you have a schedule where easy grab-and-go meals will help you keep your nutrition goals. By having healthy meals ready to go, it helps you avoid spending money and eating food with extra calories on fast food, take out, or unhealthy snacks.
In addition, meal prepping can help diabetes management with simple consistency. For people with diabetes, having the same meal for a week can help you better understand and see how your blood glucose responds to that meal. This will allow you to better plan ahead and learn how your body responds to different foods.
Tips for Getting Started
In this guide, we'll give the basics of meal prepping for people with diabetes and offer tips to help you get started.
- Set clear goals: Before diving into meal prepping, take some time to define your goals. Whether you aim to manage blood glucose levels, lose weight, or adopt healthier eating habits, having clear goals will guide your meal prep efforts and keep you motivated.
- Plan your meals: Start by creating a weekly meal plan that follows the Diabetes Plate. Using a 9” plate, focus on meals that are half non-starchy veggies, one-quarter lean protein, and one-quarter foods with carbs. Think about the foods you like, cultural influences, and any specific nutritional goal you have. Aim for variety and try to include plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables.
- Choose simple recipes: Choose recipes that are easy to prepare and can be batch-cooked in large quantities. Look for dishes that have fewer ingredients and a shorter cooking time, such as one-pot meals, sheet pan dinners, and slow cooker recipes.
- Invest in quality containers: Invest in a set of high-quality, airtight containers in various sizes to store your prepped meals and snacks. Choose BPA-free containers that are microwave-safe and freezer-friendly for added convenience.
- Schedule your prep sessions: Designate a specific day or time each week for meal prep sessions. Set aside a few hours to batch-cook your meals, chop vegetables, portion out snacks, and assemble ingredients for easy grab-and-go options. Having a dedicated meal prep routine will streamline your process and ensure you stay on track with your goals.
- Prep protein-packed snacks: Keep hunger at bay and blood glucose levels stable by preparing protein-rich snacks in advance. Hard-boiled eggs, Greek yogurt with berries, roasted chickpeas, and cheese and nut packs are excellent options that can be portioned into individual servings and enjoyed on the go.
- Incorporate make-ahead breakfasts: Breakfast is an important meal, especially for those with diabetes. Prepare make-ahead breakfast options like overnight oats, egg muffins, or breakfast burritos that can be easily reheated and enjoyed on busy mornings. These nutritious breakfasts will kick-start your day with sustained energy.
- Explore flavorful salad jars: Create vibrant and satisfying salads in a jar by layering ingredients like leafy greens, colorful vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and nuts or seeds. Dress the salads with your favorite vinaigrette or dressing and store them in mason jars for a portable and nutritious meal option.
By incorporating these tips and recipe ideas into your meal prep routine, you'll be able to have meals ready to go. There are endless possibilities to discover for delicious and nutritious meals that support your diabetes management goals.
With a little creativity and planning, meal prep can become an enjoyable and empowering aspect of your healthy lifestyle journey. Be sure to explore the Diabetes Food Hub for recipes and ideas you can prep ahead of time. Be sure to create an account so you can save your favorite recipes and use the grocery list feature to make life even easier. Happy prepping!
