Did you know that poor diet causes more than a quarter of all preventable deaths worldwide?

Eating a healthy diet can lower the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers, helping you live a healthier and longer life. If you’re trying to maintain a good diet and weight, it’s helpful to build a healthy meal plan. That could include 18:6 intermittent fasting.

A well-organized meal plan can help you improve your diet quality. What’s more, it can help you achieve your fitness goals. Learn more about how building a healthy local meal prep routine can be beneficial for you.

STEPS OF BUILDING A HEALTHY LOCAL MEAL PREP ROUTINE

Developing a meal prep routine not only boosts your dietary needs but also saves you time and money. Building a healthy diet plan includes:

STEP 1: MAKE A GROCERY LIST

Take some time to create a list of groceries you require for the week. Consider your dietary needs and preferences when making the list. Also, try to incorporate a variety of healthy local ingredients by using in-season produce.

Ensure you include a balance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein sources in your grocery list. Remember, the less processed, the better for your short- and long-term health.

STEP 2: SHOP LOCALLY

Look for local markets, farms, or co-ops where you can purchase fresh ingredients. Using organic, locally produced ingredients is a great way to create healthier meal prep practices. Here’s why:

• Fresher: Since the ingredients don’t need to be shipped over long distances, they’re picked closer to their ripeness peak, which makes them more nutrient-dense and flavorful
• Sustainable: Grown using eco-friendly farming practices without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers
• Less Processed: They have fewer additives and preservatives, which is good for a healthy, unprocessed diet plan. Plus, they’re much less likely to have contaminants like foreign bugs
• Support Local: You can feel positive about supporting local farms, keeping your money in your community. Bonus mental health points!

STEP 3: PREP YOUR INGREDIENTS

After buying the ingredients, take some time to wash, chop, and prep them (wash even if they’re organic). This will make it easier to throw together healthy meals within a short time when it’s time to cook or assemble your meals.

STEP 4: GET CREATIVE

Time to cook up your healthy meal. Don't be afraid to try new recipes or mix and match ingredients. It will ensure that you're getting a variety of nutrients in your diet and mitigate food waste.

BENEFITS OF BUILDING A HEALTHY MEAL PLAN

Whether you’re trying to lose weight or improve your overall health, prepping your own meals can help ensure you’re maintaining a healthy diet. Here are other reasons why you should plan your meals:

HELPS YOU LEARN PORTION CONTROL

Prepping your meals allows you to take note of how much you’re eating. This prevents you from overeating.

ENCOURAGES YOU TO EAT HEALTHILY

When you’re hungry, you’re more likely to eat whatever you can get the fastest. Most times, you can resort to unhealthy fast-food options or highly-processed snacks (think grab-and-go bars, chips or candy).

Planning and building healthy meals eliminates this issue. It allows you to have nutrient-dense food prepped and ready to eat. Some people find success using 18:6 intermittent fasting.

REDUCES FOOD WASTAGE

When it comes to prepping meals, you do your groceries with a plan. You only buy products that you know you’re going to use. When every ingredient has a purpose, you won’t have to worry about food waste.

CREATE A HEALTHY LOCAL MEAL PLAN

Building a healthy meal plan can be good for your nutrition. This can help improve your physical and mental health. Use the guide above to help you create a manageable and healthy meal plan.