Food prep is one of the easiest ways for students to save money and time when making their meals for the week. Here are some of the best tips and tricks when it comes to pre-preparing your meals.

1. Plan in advance

When prepping meals have an idea of what you are going to make in advance. Make a list of the meals which you are going to make in advance of shopping for ingredients. This way you can make a shopping list of everything you need for the week, which helps save money as you will only be buying what you need.

York St John student Ameer Ahmed, 20, said that food prep is “so organized and well thought out.” Food prep is a great way for students to be conscious about what they are eating.

2. Have variety

It is important to have a varied diet so plan your meals to be balanced and healthy. A good way to do that is to have a look online for some healthy meal recipes. Prepping healthy food ensures you have balance in your diet and you are getting the proper nutrients.

3. Batch cooking

Making meals in bulk is a cost effective way to make meals for the week which are healthy and tasty. This is called ‘batch cooking‘ and is gaining popularity with students who want to save time when making their meals. Simply, make your meals in bulk and freeze the portions you don’t want to eat straight away.

4. Proper utensils

Investing in the proper cooking utensils and equipment is essential. If you make sure you have bowls and Tupperware food prep is much easier. Buying all the cooking equipment up front saves you from unexpected purchases in future. It might seem expensive at first but its worth it in the end.

5. Have fun

Have fun with the food you make. The food you make doesn’t have to be fancy, food prep is all about making cooking convenient. Your food doesn’t have to have a Michelin star just as long as you enjoy it that’s all that matters.

It may seem daunting but food prep is a fun way to cook conveniently. Start small and make food you like, this will the process much easier. Students all over York can start cooking meals that are good for them right now. check out these healthy recipes to get started.