Virtual Nutrition Consult with Corey H,RDVirtual Nutrition Consult with Corey H,RD 

“I’m struggling with making time to prepare meals.” “ Dinner is my most challenging meal of the day. “ “When I get home, I just can’t think about what I’m going to make.” “ I really struggle with portion control.”

Do any of these statements ring true for you? While I’m a big fan of time management and meal prep made easy, sometimes it’s just time to start looking at a meal delivery service!

Clients can struggle a bit finding a service that they like. Whether it’s the packaging, the cost, the presentation, the flavor, the variety, the nutrition, there are many things that go into finding the right service for you.

But before we talk about that, when it comes to meal planning and meal prepping, what keeps getting in the way of that? Is it time? Interest? Feeling of overwhelm? Sometimes it can be all the above. Meal prep and meal planning doesn’t have to be a chore, but initially, it might take a good 30min to invest in to get yourself started. Could you find 30min somewhere, even in your car, to just get yourself started?

When it comes to meal planning take these into consideration:

1. What is my schedule like this week? Where am I working late, starting early, picking up the kids etc…

2. Who else in the household could be around to maybe start things? Consider involving your spouse or older kids.

3. Who will be joining you for dinner? Sometimes the kids are off on the their own for various reasons, sometimes one family member is working very late?

4. Based on number 3, think about ideas that could work with the family members involved.

5. Next, either start with some go-to meals that you rely on often, or start looking up recipes with those likes in mind. You can either just google “chicken recipes” or you can use a recipe website. Two of my favorites that I recommend often are www.wellplated.com and www.skinnytaste.com . Both sites are organized nicely. Skinnytaste offers recipes for single servings as well! They both have easy crockpot or sheet pan meals or skillet meals. So its one pan and done. Both sites also offer meals that take 30min or less from start to finish.

6. After you have the recipe’s you think will work, add the ingredients to a grocery app for delivery or pick up or just as a reminder when you are at the store.

7. What can you start prepping immediately? Vegetables can be chopped days before needed for a meal. Potatoes and grains can also be made in advance…how much can you do ahead of time. Think 2 min chopping here, 5 min to throw in the oven and bake off there! Don’t feel like you have to do everything the day you make the entrée! Get it to where you are literally grabbing from the fridge and dumping it in the pan or crockpot. Even consider pre-mixing any spices as well. Again, that 1 min prep can save you steps in the kitchen or simplify things for the less advanced cook who might be helping with dinner!

Once you find your groove with this process, this will feel less daunting and taxing of a task. Also keep in mind for those that like leftovers, freeze additional servings for quick lunches or dinners in the future. I do this so I always have food available when I get back from a trip, or have an over the top busy week. Think about how you can simplify this for yourself while still nourishing you and your family.

Meals do not have to be elaborate. They can be super simple and super nutritious. And for the times where you just need more assistance, consider a meal delivery service to take that extra task off your list! Find my Meal Delivery Services info sheet here!

If you want assistance with meal planning or prep, then let’s talk! I can help identify where and how we can make this task easier on you! See below to book! 

To work with Nicole:

Meet and Greet Before You Book – chat with Nicole K,RD,CD,CSSD to see how we can meet your needs and choose the appt that would fit you best! 

In-Person Consult with Nicole K, RD,CD,CSSD

Virtual Consult with Nicole K,RD,CD,CSSD

Lets Chat! – 30min Q&A session – this 30 min session helps get any and all of your questions answered about nutrition and exercise. Should you choose to work with me and get a personal plan developed with regular coaching, a portion of the cost of this session will be applied to your next!