Meal prepping can be a great way to free up your time and reduce food waste.

It alsomakes it easier to stick to your dietand practice portion control.

Athletes and fitness models swear by meal prep for greater energy, improved performance, and better health.

smiling woman preparing her meals for the day

Strongman Terry Rady, for example, uses this strategy to save money and fuel his gains.

“If you’re missing meals because you have a demanding job, that’s one thing.

And physique competitor Allison Warrell cooks twice a week on Wednesday and Sunday evenings.

meal prepping containers with healthy food

Meal preppingis both art and science.

While it may seem simple, it requires some planning and a good understanding of your nutritional needs.

Your lifestyle and food preferences matter, too.

bowl of oatmeal, blueberries, and other healthy foods

With that being said, here’s the big mistake you’re making when preparing your meals.

The key is tokeep things simple.

Each week, choose two or three recipes in addition to your go-to meals and then get to work.

Even if you managed to do that, you’d probably end up with too much food.

Households are responsible for over 40% of all food waste, according toRecycle Track Systems(RTS).

On top of that, it’s expensive and time-consuming.

Rady’s meals consist of chicken, brown rice, and broccoli.

As far as snacking goes, she prefershigh-protein bars.

Plus, it’s possible for you to alwaysuse herbs and spicesto make your food taste amazing.

Take oatmeal, for example.

You could even sprinkle paprika, cayenne pepper, or ginger on top for a spicy kick.

The same goes for poultry, beef, fish, eggs, and other everyday foods.

it’s possible for you to change their flavor, aroma, or texture just by using different spices.

These simple ingredients allow for endless food combinations, making it easier to cook delicious yet healthy meals.