Why Should You Meal Plan and Prep?

Numerous scientific studies support the benefits of meal planning and prepping in promoting overall health and achieving specific fitness goals. In a study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity in 2017, researchers found that those who engaged in frequent meal planning were more likely to have higher dietary quality and food variety, highlighting the importance of making intentional food choices in achieving nutritional goals.

Meal planning and prepping can be a great tool for weight management as in enables you to control portion sizes and monitor caloric intake, making it much easier to stay on track. Having pre-planned and prepared meals helps ensure that you are providing your body with the right nutrients to keep you fueled.

Another notable benefit is time efficiency. When your meals are planned, it makes it easier to eat what you’ve prepared when you are in a time crunch. Weekdays tend to get busy, be prepared, provide yourself with the tools to succeed.

In another journal, Human Nutrition and Metabolism, researchers concluded that healthy meal preparation improved food group consumption and reduced consumption of processed food among children. Kids are so easily influenced, food choices made by parents can have a lasting impact on their children’s eating habits.

Lastly, meal planning cultivates a feeling of structure and control over your diet. It alleviates the daily pressure of deciding what to eat and reduces the likelihood of succumbing to unhealthy options due to lack of preparedness. Ultimately, by investing time in meal planning and prepping, you empower yourself to make positive and constructive food choices that align with your health and fitness objectives.

Citations:

Ducrot, Pauline, et al. “Meal planning is associated with food variety, diet quality and body weight status in a large sample of French adults.” International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, vol. 14, no. 1, 2017

Ng, Choon Ming, et al. “Experiential healthy meal preparation: A randomized-controlled trial to improve food group consumption and weight status among children.” Human Nutrition & Metabolism, vol. 28, 2022,