April, 2024 | Exceed Hormone Specialists

In today’s fast-paced world, where time is often a scarce commodity, the practice of meal prepping serves as a sustainable and simple solution for those seeking efficiency, health, and convenience in their daily lives. Meal prepping involves the planning, preparing, and packaging of meals ahead of time, offering a large variety of benefits that extend beyond just saving time in the kitchen. From promoting healthier eating habits to reducing food waste and saving money, the advantages of incorporating meal prepping into your lifestyle are endless. In this post, we will uncover the various benefits of meal prepping, highlighting its positive impact on health, finances, and overall well-being.

What is Meal Prep?

Meal prep is the concept of planning and preparing food ahead of time. One of the key elements to remember about meal prep is that there are no specific rules to follow. Whether you decide to prepare and freeze an entire week’s worth of meals or simply chop and package your side dishes ahead of time, meal prep should entail what works best for your specific needs. As with any practice, meal prep does require some time and dedication in your weekly routine. It’s been found that the average person spends about one hour cooking per day. By dedicating a few hours of meal prep for the entire week, you will find your evenings freed up to enjoy other activities and time with loved ones.

The Benefits of Meal Prep

As mentioned earlier, there are several benefits that come with planning your meals ahead of time – the first being physical health benefits. For many, the hustle and bustle of daily life can oftentimes lead us to make quick and convenience-based meal decisions that may not carry the essential nutrients our bodies need to lead a healthy lifestyle. By planning your meals ahead of time, you will have more control over the quality of food that you consume throughout the week, giving you ample opportunity to incorporate balanced and nourishing ingredients. For optimal health benefits, experts recommend a dietary composition of 25% protein, 25% carbohydrates, and 50% fruits and/or vegetables.

Aside from the physical benefits, there are several mental health benefits that can come from meal prepping. By planning ahead and eliminating hours spent in the kitchen, you will free yourself up to enjoy more time with loved ones or engage in activities that bring you happiness. Additionally, meal prepping removes the stress of quick decision-making – you can rest assured knowing that your meals are prepared with wholesome ingredients for you and your family.

Lastly are the financial benefits of meal prepping. There are moments in all of our lives where we are in a rush and make a quick stop at a fast food chain or at the store for a single-served meal. While this may save us time, it certainly does not save us money. In 2023, the average American spent about $148 per month on fast food alone. This number does not include dine-in restaurants or single-serve meal runs from the grocery store. Meal prepping will give you both time and money back!

Easy Ways to Start Meal Prepping

It may seem overwhelming to start meal prepping, but start small! Begin by jotting down a list of your favorite meals, breaking them down into specific ingredients that you can purchase in bulk. Once you have stocked up on your essentials, divide them into portioned containers for the week ahead.

Consider setting aside a designated day each week to handle all of your meal prepping. Having dedicated time to meal prep will help you to establish a routine and will make the process feel more manageable. Start with simple recipes that require minimal ingredients and preparation time. As you become more accustomed to meal prepping, you can start incorporating more complex dishes into your routine!

It is also helpful to label your containers with the meal date and time that you have cooked them. This will ensure freshness and support organization in your refrigerator and pantry. Another helpful tip is to take advantage of your appliances like slow cookers or Instant Pots – these helpful tools make meal prepping even easier! Ultimately, no matter where you start, you will quickly enjoy the benefits and convenience that meal prepping brings to your daily life.

Are you ready to bring balance and vitality back into your life? Exceed Hormone Specialists is here to help.
Connect with us online or give us a call at (901) 312-7899

As March comes to a quick close and we welcome spring, it’s time to enjoy the sunshine and its myriad of benefits. Beyond its ability to brighten our days, sunlight is essential for providing our bodies with Vitamin D. During the winter months, obtaining enough of this vital nutrient can become quite a challenge. That’s why spring offers the perfect opportunity to lace up your favorite walking shoes and take advantage of the longer days by spending time outdoors soaking up that valuable Vitamin D.

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is both a critical nutrient that we consume and a hormone that our bodies produce. It’s a fat-soluble vitamin made from the cholesterol in our skin. Vitamin D is a super nutrient that serves many purposes including:

Promotion of calcium absorption in the gut
Assistance in bone growth and bone remodeling
Reduces inflammation
Slows the growth of some cancer cells.

Practically speaking, Vitamin D helps our bodies as we age. Due to its ability to promote bone growth, Vitamin D works to prevent our bones from becoming too brittle and our joints from becoming inflamed. Though it is one of the easiest Vitamins to absorb, it’s often one that many people around the world are deficient in.

How Can You Get Vitamin D?

There are a few ways to get Vitamin D into your system. Research has shown that sunlight is one of the best ways for your body to receive Vitamin D due to the body’s ability to self-regulate the amount it receives, overall reducing the chance of toxicity. For optimal results, experts recommend spending between 5 and 30 minutes a day outdoors in the sun. This is just enough time to take a walk at your favorite park, spend some time laying out by the pool, or enjoy a quiet morning out in the garden. Please keep in mind that if your skin is prone to sunburn, you should consult with your dermatologist before spending prolonged periods of time outdoors without applying proper sun protection.

If it is not feasible for you to get an adequate amount of Vitamin D from the sun, you can also supplement with tablets. Vitamin D supplements are available over-the-counter at your local CVS or Walgreens. There are two forms of Vitamin D that you can purchase. Vitamin D2 is made from plants, and Vitamin D3 is made from animals. Both types of Vitamin D carry similar and equal benefits, so consult with your doctor for their best recommendation on which supplement you should purchase.