Kristin Willard, RDN

Thanks so much for your input MargoCL. I actually view what you are doing as meal prepping. There are so many variations and you need to do what works for you. The key is that you are prepared and have a plan in plus and some back-up options incase the original plan does not work out. So happy you found a system that works for you. thatch- I am glad you found the recipes helpful :)

Meal prepping after bariatric surgery is one of the best decisions you can make to help support your new lifestyle. It saves money, time and best of all you always have healthy options on hand. Here are five strategies to get started. Start Small The thought of meal prepping seven days a week for three meals a day can seem like a daunting task, and frankly, unrealistic. If this is your first attempt at meal prepping start small. What meals are the most challenging for you to eat healthy (or eat at all?) Start there. If you are going out to lunch frequently then start with bringing a packed lunch like these Low Carb Shepherds Pie Bowls. You can prepare them ahead of time and eat them throughout the week. Set a goal of bringing a packed lunch three days a week. Use an Electric Pressure Cooker If you are just getting started with meal prepping, one of the easiest places to start is to use an electric pressure cooker (aka Instant Pot). On the weekend, place all the ingredients in a gallon size ziplock bag and store in the fridge. Then on the day you want to eat that meal, pour the contents of the ziplock bag into the pressure cooker and turn it on. Voila! If you need ideas for a recipe try this Weeknight Pasta Fagioli. Prepare Marinades and Sauces Preparing marinades and sauces ahead of time saves time during the week. Mix up your marinades or sauces on the weekend and store them in the fridge. This process only takes a few minutes but it really can help in the middle of the week. You could easily make the sauce for these Baja Fish Tacos ahead of time. Cut up Veggies Cutting up your vegetables on the weekends can save you loads of time and dishes during the week. Plus, you are more likely to eat the veggies if they’re already prepared. Once you cut and dice your veggies place them in a storage container and store in the fridge. You could also season them with olive oil and spices to save you one more step. Make a Batch of Soup Now that we're getting into the cooler seasons, soup can be an easy meal to prepare ahead time. You can reheat the soup in the microwave for a couple minutes if you are short on time during the week. You can also double the batch and store some in the freezer. This way you will always have something healthy on hand. This Easy Taco Soup is perfect for the whole family and stores well in the freezer. Now that you have some ideas on how to start meal prepping, which one do you want to start with? Let me know in the comments below