12 Tools That Make Meal Planning and Prep Easier
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Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook
How can you have anything to prep if you don't have any meals planned? Start here, with this enlightening book on prepping and portioning healthy, nutritious meals for up to a week in advance. Reach your weight-loss goals, save time and prep like a pro with this useful book from the popular YouTube channel Fit Couple Cooks.
"Healthy Meal Prep: Time-Saving Plans to Prep and Portion your Weekly Meals" Available at Amazon ($12.80)
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
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Color Scanner
Even though tons of recipes can be found online these days, nothing beats the hand-written ones passed down for generations, or the ones you printed out in the days before Pinterest that you've made over and over. However, it is handy to have all your recipes in one place so you can easily reference your recipes on your tablet, laptop or phone, just like you would any others that you've bookmarked from your favorite bloggers. A scanner can take all your favorite recipes and make this organizational dream a reality.
Brother DS-620 Mobile Color Page Scanner Available at Amazon ($89.99)
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
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Weekly Meal Planner and Grocery List
There's something to be said for taking pen to paper and writing out a plan of action. Planning your meals out a week at a time and posting them for yourself or your whole family to view helps take the question "What's for dinner?" off the table. Plus, once your meals are set in stone, you can write down the ingredients you'll need and take the list with you to the store so you're sure to have everything you need to make that night's healthy meal on hand.
Weekly Meal Planner and Perforated Grocery List Magnet Pad Available at Amazon (starting at $10.95)
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
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Sheet Pan
Many meal prep ideas come in the form of one-dish wonders made on a single sheet pan. Grab one (or more) of these inexpensive pans and say goodbye to spending way too much time doing the dishes.
Nordic Ware Aluminum Baker's Half Sheet Available at Amazon ($9.97)
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
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Parchment Paper
While you might have to wash a single pot or pan when cooking any of the myriad of one-pot meals, that doesn't mean you can't make that cleanup as easy as possible. That's where parchment paper or aluminum foil can come in handy. Simply pull off a sheet, line your pan, cook your healthy meal and throw the sheet away when you're done. Take care not to use parchment paper for broiling, though, as it can catch on fire if it's too close to the heat source.
Reynolds Baking Sheets Available at Amazon ($2.79)
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
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Silicone Baking Mat
If you'd prefer an eco-friendly option to using (and throwing away) parchment paper but still love the thought of easy clean-up, try a reusable, food-grade silicone baking mat. These mats provide even heat distribution, which means all of your meals will come out perfectly cooked. Using stick-proof silicone also means you won't have to use butter or oils to keep your foods from sticking to the mats before cooking. These mats also clean easy—just wipe down with warm soapy water and let air-dry.
Kitzini Silicone Baking Mat Sheet Set Available at Amazon ($12.95)
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
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Glass Meal Prep Containers
Glass containers are great because they can go from fridge or freezer to microwave or oven after removing the lid (and being properly thawed and brought to room temperature first), which means more convenience and less cleanup for you. Certainly any glass containers will do but these also have compartments (portion control!) and can hold your cutlery (convenience overload!) so all you have to do is plan, prep, portion and enjoy.
Prep Naturals Three-Pack Glass Meal Prep Containers Available at Amazon ($27.99)
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
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Permanent Markers
Listen up: These are more important than you think. You don't want to go into your freezer and not be able to distinguish your tikka masala from your minestrone because you used one of your kid's washable markers to label the bag or container. Plus, nothing's more fun that writing with a colorful Sharpie marker after all that hard work you just put in in the kitchen.
Sharpie Fine Point Permanent Markers Available at Amazon ($32.99)
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
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Label Maker
If you'd like something fancier than a Sharpie to label your meals and containers, consider purchasing an inexpensive label maker. With a computer-style keyboard, three fonts, a variety of symbols and frames and a preview screen, your labels will be able to match the uniqueness of your meals.
Brother P-Touch Easy Portable Label Maker Available at Amazon ($28.99)
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
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Chef's Knife
From chiffonade to julienne, you want to get your cuts of vegetables and protein just right. A dull knife makes working in the kitchen frustrating, which is the last thing you need after a long day at the office. Eliminate your future anger by investing in a nice, sharp chef's knife. Made from high-quality German steel, you'll feel like a professional as you slice and dice with ease.
J.A. Henckels International Classic Chef's Knife Available at Amazon ($43.99)
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
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Measuring Cups and Spoons
Get precise measurements every time with a nice set of measuring cups and spoons. These stainless versions never rust and can be put in the dishwasher for even easier cleanup. Plus, both the sets of cups and spoons nest inside one another so they won't take up as much space in your cupboards or drawers.
Laxinis World 13-Piece Measuring Cups and Spoons Set Available at Amazon ($28.95)
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
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Bluetooth Speaker
If you're going to be in your kitchen for a while, you might as well enjoy yourself. Crank up your favorite tunes on this JBL water-resistant speaker. It connects to up to three different smartphones or tablets so if you find yourself cooking with a buddy, you won't have to argue over who gets control of the music.
JBL Flip 3 Splashproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker Available at Amazon ($79.95)
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
See more nutrition slideshows
12 Kitchen Must-Haves for Meal Prep and Planning
By Elizabeth Lowry
Unless you've been living under a pile of takeout menus, you know that a key to eating well is having your meals planned out ahead of time and possessing the tools to prepare what you've planned on hand. Not only will you save time, but meal planning and prepping can also help you eat more nutritiously, reduce any anxiety over what you are going to eat, help with weight loss or maintenance, and save you money—a plan we can all get behind.
From recipes that promise to yield more than one meal to perfectly portioned containers that go from fridge to microwave, there's never been a better time to meal plan and prep a few meals a few days in advance.
Start Slideshow
Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook
How can you have anything to prep if you don't have any meals planned? Start here, with this enlightening book on prepping and portioning healthy, nutritious meals for up to a week in advance. Reach your weight-loss goals, save time and prep like a pro with this useful book from the popular YouTube channel Fit Couple Cooks.
"Healthy Meal Prep: Time-Saving Plans to Prep and Portion your Weekly Meals" Available at Amazon ($12.80)
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
