Anyone else get super motivated on Sunday, prep like a champ, then by Thursday you're just staring at your chicken and broccoli like it's punishment? What do you do to keep things interesting midweek?
Lots of snacks as well as meals. Smoked almonds, olives, almond crackers with cheese, Greek yogurt with berries, couple chocolate desserts like avocado pudding.
When I do actually consistently prep, it's often more like parts of meals rather than whole ones. That way I can mix and match as the week goes on. So a couple different proteins or flavor styles and different veggie sides. Then put together whatever sounds good at the moment
I feel like I have lower food standards than most people because as long as something isn't spoiled, I'll likely still eat it. But I like cauliflower rice and cauliflower mash, chopped veggie casseroles or au gratins- just bake chopped veggies with sauce and/or cheese. In the spring and summer I do a lot of scoopy salads, for lack of a better term. I dice bell peppers, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, etc and toss will dressing or oil and vinegar, almost a pasta salad with no pasta. It just gets better the more it sits. Thise you have to remember to strain though as the veggies let off moisture. Super lazy option is having steamable bags of frozen veg that I throw some butter and spices on when ready to eat.
I do a crazy meal prep, honestly it’s bc I have a large freezer. I totally understand it’s not most an option for most people.
For me I have to make sure I have a variety of recipes, because the main 2 reasons why keto has worked for me this time is because I meal prep a month at a time, I mean 6, 7 recipes at a time, I portion, label and freeze, and I have a variety of options to grab for lunch/dinner.
When I do it all at once (even if I were to do a week at a time with less freezer space), then I’m not cooking once, with having the same meal for 4 days in a row. Not getting out ingredients then putting them away, not getting out pots, pans, cutting boards, knives, etc.
Lots of snacks as well as meals. Smoked almonds, olives, almond crackers with cheese, Greek yogurt with berries, couple chocolate desserts like avocado pudding.
Meal prep on Sundays and Wednesdays. Can’t eat the same meal every day
When I do actually consistently prep, it's often more like parts of meals rather than whole ones. That way I can mix and match as the week goes on. So a couple different proteins or flavor styles and different veggie sides. Then put together whatever sounds good at the moment
What veggie sides last well for a few days? This is what I’m having the biggest trouble with.
I feel like I have lower food standards than most people because as long as something isn't spoiled, I'll likely still eat it. But I like cauliflower rice and cauliflower mash, chopped veggie casseroles or au gratins- just bake chopped veggies with sauce and/or cheese. In the spring and summer I do a lot of scoopy salads, for lack of a better term. I dice bell peppers, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, etc and toss will dressing or oil and vinegar, almost a pasta salad with no pasta. It just gets better the more it sits. Thise you have to remember to strain though as the veggies let off moisture. Super lazy option is having steamable bags of frozen veg that I throw some butter and spices on when ready to eat.
Edited to add some recipes for ideas
https://deliciouslittlebites.com/cheesy-broccoli-cauliflower-rice/
https://oursaltykitchen.com/mexican-cauliflower-rice/
https://www.ruled.me/easy-keto-creamed-spinach/
https://wholelottayum.com/keto-broccoli-salad/
https://www.ketoconnect.net/keto-cauliflower-casserole
I do a crazy meal prep, honestly it’s bc I have a large freezer. I totally understand it’s not most an option for most people.
For me I have to make sure I have a variety of recipes, because the main 2 reasons why keto has worked for me this time is because I meal prep a month at a time, I mean 6, 7 recipes at a time, I portion, label and freeze, and I have a variety of options to grab for lunch/dinner.
When I do it all at once (even if I were to do a week at a time with less freezer space), then I’m not cooking once, with having the same meal for 4 days in a row. Not getting out ingredients then putting them away, not getting out pots, pans, cutting boards, knives, etc.
Would you mind sharing any recipes with me?
Absolutely! Pinterest is a great place to look up. I'd suggest searching there for ‘keto casseroles’
Here are some of my go tos: https://kaseytrenum.com/monterey-chicken-keto-low-carb/?cuid=dc9d5589e8235fb7b5f92a5a03c0f6d6#recipe
https://www.lowcarbnomad.com/low-carb-keto-white-chicken-enchiladas/ (SOO SO GOOD)
https://www.thekitchn.com/garlic-parmesan-chicken-bites-recipe-23650735?epik=dj0yJnU9NGdCV2hRT0J3V3RpN09zMFljeHBteGt0UE5BbmtNRHMmcD0wJm49NGo1QkNfTFlPQmpDUDE2S1E1TktFQSZ0PUFBQUFBR2d6Y1hZ
https://jenniferbanz.com/loaded-cauliflower-casserole
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/26703/bacon-roll-ups-ii/?utm_source=pinterest.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=social-share-recipe&utm_content=20201221&utm_term=26703 Just use keto bread. Great when you prepare them & freeze in 4-6 piece portions, then follow the normal cooking instructions
https://beautyandthefoodie.com/instant-pot-keto-broccoli-chicken-bacon-cheese-soup/
Fyi as I'm copying these from my pinterest board, I'm starving
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/238640/easy-crustless-quiche/
https://www.officiallyglutenfree.com/keto-cheesy-spinach-ravioli/
Look up ‘melt in your mouth chicken’ - amazingly simple & amazingly tasty!
https://mymontanakitchen.com/cheesy-provolone-baked-chicken-oven-baked-chicken-breast/
I’ll try that. I’ve been using Pinterest for recipes for awhile now. I searched keto meal prep and never found anything good. Thanks for sharing!
Well, for one, I don't prep broccoli, because for me, every day is punishment day with broccoli. :P
But are you making the same meal for every day of the week, or are you switching things up?