Are you tired of struggling to gain weight? Do you find it challenging to prepare meals that meet your daily calorie requirements? If so, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with weight gain, whether it’s due to genetics, a busy lifestyle, or a lack of knowledge about nutrition.
Fortunately, meal prep is an excellent way to ensure you’re eating the right foods in the right amounts. By planning your meals in advance, you’ll save time, money, and effort while ensuring you’re getting the nutrients you need to gain weight.
What is Meal Prep?
Meal prep is the process of planning and preparing your meals in advance. This can involve cooking large batches of food and storing them in containers for easy access throughout the week. Meal prep is becoming increasingly popular, as it can help you save time, money, and effort while ensuring you’re eating healthy, nutritious meals.
Meal prep can be especially beneficial for individuals who are trying to gain weight. By planning and preparing your meals in advance, you can ensure that you’re eating enough calories to support weight gain. This is important because many people struggle to gain weight simply because they’re not consuming enough calories.
Why is Meal Prep Important for Weight Gain?
Meal prep is important for weight gain for several reasons:
- It helps you track your calorie intake: By planning and preparing your meals in advance, you can ensure that you’re consuming enough calories to support weight gain. This is important because many people struggle to gain weight simply because they’re not eating enough.
- It saves time and effort: Meal prep can save you time and effort throughout the week. Instead of spending time each day preparing meals, you can spend a few hours one day a week cooking and storing your meals.
- It helps you make healthier choices: When you plan your meals in advance, you’re more likely to make healthy choices. This can help you avoid unhealthy foods that can hinder weight gain.
How to Meal Prep for Weight Gain
Meal prep for weight gain involves planning and preparing meals that are high in calories and nutrients. Here are some tips for meal prepping for weight gain:
1. Calculate Your Daily Calorie Requirements
Before you start meal prepping, it’s essential to calculate your daily calorie requirements. This will help you determine how many calories you need to consume each day to support weight gain. There are several online calculators you can use to determine your daily calorie requirements.
2. Choose High-Calorie Foods
When meal prepping for weight gain, it’s important to choose foods that are high in calories. Some examples of high-calorie foods include:
Food | Calories |
---|---|
Avocado | 234 calories per avocado |
Peanut butter | 190 calories per 2 tablespoons |
Whole milk | 150 calories per cup |
Bananas | 105 calories per banana |
Chicken breast | 165 calories per 3 ounces |
Sweet potatoes | 103 calories per 1/2 cup |
3. Plan Your Meals in Advance
Once you’ve calculated your daily calorie requirements and chosen high-calorie foods, it’s time to plan your meals. You can plan your meals for the week ahead, or you can plan several days in advance. When planning your meals, be sure to include a variety of foods to ensure you’re getting all the nutrients you need.
4. Cook and Portion Your Meals
After you’ve planned your meals, it’s time to start cooking. You can cook your meals in large batches and portion them out into containers for easy access throughout the week. Be sure to label your containers with the date and contents, so you know what you’re eating and when it was prepared.
5. Store Your Meals Properly
When storing your meals, it’s important to store them properly to ensure they stay fresh and safe to eat. Here are some tips for storing your meals:
- Refrigerate: Store your meals in the refrigerator for up to five days.
- Freeze: You can also freeze your meals for longer storage. Be sure to label your containers with the date and contents.
- Reheat: When reheating your meals, be sure to reheat them to an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure they’re safe to eat.
Meal Prep Recipes for Weight Gain
Here are some delicious meal prep recipes that are perfect for weight gain:
1. Chicken and Rice Bowls
This recipe is high in protein and carbs, making it perfect for weight gain. Plus, it’s easy to customize with your favorite veggies and seasonings.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- 2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
- 2 cups chopped veggies (such as broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked brown rice, shredded chicken, and chopped veggies.
- Add olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Spread mixture evenly in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.
- Portion out into containers and store in the refrigerator for up to five days.
2. Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
This recipe is high in protein and carbs, making it perfect for weight gain. Plus, it’s easy to customize with your favorite veggies and seasonings.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups diced sweet potato
- 2 cups chopped veggies (such as bell peppers and onions)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add sweet potato and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until lightly browned.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.
- Add chopped veggies and cook until softened.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Portion out into containers and store in the refrigerator for up to five days.
3. Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats
This recipe is perfect for a quick and easy breakfast or snack. It’s high in protein and carbs, making it perfect for weight gain.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tbsp jelly or jam
Instructions:
- In a mason jar or container, combine rolled oats, whole milk, Greek yogurt, and peanut butter.
- Stir until well combined.
- Add jelly or jam and swirl into the mixture.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave for 30 seconds.
Conclusion
Meal prep is an excellent way to ensure you’re eating the right foods in the right amounts to support weight gain. By planning and preparing your meals in advance, you’ll save time, money, and effort while ensuring you’re getting the nutrients you need to gain weight.
When meal prepping for weight gain, be sure to calculate your daily calorie requirements, choose high-calorie foods, plan your meals in advance, cook and portion your meals, and store your meals properly. With these tips and some delicious recipes, you’ll be on your way to achieving your weight gain goals in no time.