Sure look, we all do it.
That little nip to the nearest deli counter for a roll, the quick reach into the supermarket fridge for the handiest microwaveable Asian infused delicacy. Living life on the hop has never been so easy.
The office 9-5 might well cover the lunchtime outlays Monday through Friday and most of us will give it the awk-sure-feck-its when the dietary guilt washes over us standing in line with our complex carb ciabattas, our salt-laden samosas or the calorific coke and crisps staple.
There are other ways, my friends.
It's time to start paying attention to the ever-broadening and colourful array of meal preppers clogging or Insta news feed because the showy shower has it more or less nailed when it comes to doing lunchtime in a cheap, clean and calorie controlled fashion.
Meal prepping has a number of benefits.
First and foremost it's a firm ally in the battle against temptation. We are brain-washed to within an inch of our lives to believe the takeaway on the corner or the free coffee and doughnuts in work are modern life conveniences that we all deserve in our pursuit of just a little more time. But what's more convenient than walking to the fridge at home or in the office, and grabbing exactly what you want, when you want it. Knowing prepped meals are always on hand will go a long way to loosen the grip your cravings have over you. It's a certified destresser and will supercharge those positive vibes.
What you want, when you want it - the cornerstone of the meal prep mantra. Wrestle control back from the hot food counter and know what you're feeding your face. Whether it be calorie control or simply knowing that the ingredients are up to your particular standard (nobody to blame but yourself if they aren't), the meal prepper is strong, independent and calling the shots.
Speaking of wrestling, check out this guy.
The fact of the matter is, no one can possibly know your daily needs better than you. You have your small pot supporters, clipped to the max with an armoury of micro tupperwares for different parts of the day. Or you're like me - the three square meal man, looking filled enough to see you through to the next one. Point is, you'll know how much or how little you'll have to eat to suit yourself. Portion size is personal. Never go hungry, you don't want to be rushing home on an empty stomach and raiding the fridge like a total ham.
Perhaps the biggest obstacle to meal-prepping is getting the time to cook the bloody stuff. The truth is that committing to a half hour date each week to get all the kitchen appliances on the go simultaneously will save a shed-load of time running to the shops later in the week. Make it your religion, check in with your pots and pans and your oven mitts, pray to them if it makes you happy.
Who doesn't like having a bit more coin in their pocket, eh? No room in this world for wasting money on serving your gob and peddling the local culinary industry for Christ's sake. Putting exactly what you want in that container will save you paying for the added ingredients you pick out of your supermarket ready-meal. Sourcing your own ingredients means you are in control of the purse strings.
And finally, hands up if you feel there's nothing worse than seeing food go to waste. Yes sir, embrace your inner hoover. Did you know that global food wastage for any given year is up on €700 billion? Meal prepping gives you a more productive home for your leftovers than the bottom of your bin. And remember, best before dates are only a guide brothers and sisters.
