Tired of your fresh produce going to waste? With this life hack, you'll be able to eat fresh produce every single day this year. No more spoiled spinach in the bottom of the veggie drawer!
Produce Prepping.
Ever heard of meal prepping? It's essentially preparing foods ahead of time so that you can be sure to have pre-planned meals throughout the week. It's used a lot for diets and meal plans because you have an upper hand on those hunger bandits that would have you through the fast food line, aaaand you can better track what kind of foods you're consuming.
I'm suggesting you use the same methodology to pre-plan your produce! How many times have you bought a bundle of greens and left it forgotten in the produce drawer all week? It can be difficult to incorporate fruits and veggies into meals, depending on your cooking (or microwaving) style. So I have a few simple tips for how to ensure your produce gets eaten this week!
I suggest prepping your produce by doing these 5 simple things:
1. Recycle & toss all the packaging.
I know, it sucks. Hopefully someday I'll buy strictly from framers markets or pick from my own garden, but until then, my produce comes in a unfortunate amount of plastic. It's ugly to look at, hides the produce in your fridge, and makes you less likely to use it up! So now that you can see what you're working with...
2. Grab a knife, peeler & cutting board.
The more ready-to eat your produce is, the more likely you are to grab for it! Try and avoid the pre-cut stuff at the store though, it's likely lost some nutrients and taste if it's factory cut. Have you ever compared a "baby carrot" to a fresh cut & peeled carrot?? The latter has a ton more flavor.. I suggest preslicing, trimming & peeling carrots, butternut squash, celery, broccoli, radishes, etc.
3. Invest in a huge salad bowl.
I. Love. Salad. You can eat it alongside, over or under pretty much any meal. I suggest buying a bag of spinach, two hearts of romaine, one bundle of arugula, and some microgreens and pre-shredding and tossing it all together with some other prepped veggies you like. Eating at the office? Grab a handful and bring along with your packed lunch!
4. Put healthy snacks in reach.
For those mornings you're running behind, make it easy to grab an apple, pear or banana on the way out the door. Having an apple in my bag helps to keep me from grazing on all the unhealthy break room food at the office. If you're crazy hungry right after work, eating a piece of fruit will help hold you over until you have the time to cook something when you get home!
5. Substitute processed sugars with healthy fruits.
I could rant all day long about how much hidden sugar is in our breakfasts. I have before. From yogurts, to cereals and oatmeals, some pre-made breakfast foods have upwards of 10 teaspoons of sugar per serving. Not only unhealthy, but it's going to have you crashing around 10:30 AM from a sugar high. My solution? Buy plain yogurt, granola & oatmeal. No added sugar. No fake fruit on the bottom. Then add in your own sweetness with berries or local honey.
I hope this helps you get fresh produce in your diet every single day!
Tonight for dinner, I used some pre-cut turnips, kale and celery alongside some yummy salmon filets or a quick, healthy side dish.
My fridge & countertops are stocked full of fruits & veggies! I'm ready for the week!
All photos are my own.