Meal Prep For Busy Families In The UAE

Let’s face it. Cooking healthy meals can take up a big chunk of your time, especially for busy men and women in the UAE. However, meal prep can save you time while still allowing you and your family to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
Healthy Food and dieting in Abu Dhabi - PT advice

Why & How To Meal Prep For A Busy Family

Article Contributor: Female PT Tash

As modern life in the UAE gets increasingly busy, meal preparation can become an even more daunting task, particularly for families. It can be difficult for busy parents to dedicate time to making healthy, nutritious meals that don’t take up too much time. However, with a bit of forward planning and some effort, it is entirely possible to prepare appetising, flavoursome dishes that everyone in the family will enjoy.

To help with this process, we have compiled a range of practical tips and tricks that will make meal preparation for families much more convenient and straightforward. From using simple yet healthy recipes to time-saving techniques, there are many ways to improve the efficiency of your meal prep, allowing you to spend more time with your loved ones and less time in the kitchen.

Table Of Contents

Meal Prep - Time Saving Ideas

1. Plan Ahead

If you want to optimise your time and minimise your stress while preparing meals, making a meal plan and grocery list in advance is highly recommended. By dedicating just a few minutes each week to plan out your meals and creating a shopping list, you are setting yourself up for success.

This simple step can help to eliminate the need for impromptu shopping trips in Abu Dhabi or staring blankly at your fridge wondering what to make for dinner. Not only does meal planning and grocery lists save you time and stress, but it also helps to keep you on track with your budget and healthy eating goals.

Consider incorporating this strategy as a regular part of your routine to experience the many benefits it has to offer.

2. Bulk Cooking

Cooking in bulk is not only a fantastic way to save you time in the kitchen, but it’s also a great way to stay on track with your healthy eating habits.

Planning and prepping your meals in advance is an effortless approach that can help you eat healthier and re-energise your busy lifestyle. You can save loads of money by cooking at home and buying ingredients in larger quantities.

Additionally, by using the freeze-and-reheat technique, you can keep your meals fresh and avoid throwing any food away. This strategy is particularly ideal for those hectic or stressful days.

So go ahead and try it out: cook your favorite meals in bulk, package them in individual portions, and store them in the freezer for quick and easy meals that can get you back to your day without worrying about what to make for dinner.

Healthy Food and dieting in Abu Dhabi - PT advice

3. Use A Slow Cooker

A slow cooker is a magnificent kitchen tool that can revolutionise the way you prepare your meals. It is an incredibly convenient way to create healthy and delicious meals with minimal effort.

You do not need to be an expert in the kitchen to master the art of slow cooking. All you have to do is add your favorite ingredients to the ceramic pot, set the temperature and time, and let the slow cooker do the rest.

The beauty of a slow cooker is that it works its magic throughout the day, allowing the ingredients to meld together and develop rich flavors that will tantalise your taste buds.

The best part about a slow cooker is coming home to a warm and inviting house filled with the tantalising aroma of a home-cooked meal that is ready when you are. Give it a try and experience the convenience and taste of slow-cooking today.

4. Prep Ingredients In Advance

Prepping ingredients in advance can save you time and stress when it comes to meal preparation. 

Consider chopping vegetables and storing them in the fridge so that they are ready to be used when you need them.

5. Use Simple Recipes

When considering meal preparation, it is important to remember that sometimes less is more. Simplicity can be a key factor in creating delicious and satisfying meals.

To achieve this, it is advised to seek out recipes that follow this principle and use only a select number of ingredients, all of which should be high-quality and flavorful.

With such recipes, you can create amazing dishes that are easy to prepare and will save you valuable time, allowing you to maintain your busy schedule.

Utilising quick and simple recipes that can be cooked in under 30 minutes ensures that you won’t sacrifice flavor or nutrition for convenience. In short, keep it simple and you’re sure to please even the most discerning of palates.

6. Get The Family Involved

Getting the whole family involved in meal preparation can make it a fun and enjoyable experience. If you have kids in the UAE this also teaches valuable life lessons as well as teaching them about good food choices. 

Consider having a family cooking night where everyone works together to prepare a meal.

Healthy Isnt A Goal But A Way Of Living - UAE Personal Trainers
Take Care Of Your Body - UAE Personal Trainers

7. Use 'Healthy' Convenience Foods

When it comes to meal preparation, we all want to prioritise healthy and fresh ingredients.

However, we all know how hectic our daily schedules in the UAE can get, so it’s understandable if we don’t always have the time to prepare everything from scratch.

Fortunately, there are some incredibly helpful convenience foods out there that can make our lives so much easier. While fresh ingredients are always preferable, there’s no harm in incorporating some pre-packaged salads or pre-cooked chicken into your daily routine to save some time.

These are not only healthy options, but they can also be lifesavers on those busy weeknights when you need to get dinner on the table quickly. Plus, it never hurts to have a few quick and easy meal solutions up your sleeve for those moments when you’re short on time and energy.

8. Use Leftovers

Leftovers can be an incredible solution to saving you precious time in the kitchen and put less of an impact on our planet by reducing food waste. After all, who wouldn’t love to have a day to relax knowing that dinner is already planned and ready to go?

By reusing leftovers, not only are you enhancing their value by reinventing them into a new and exciting dish, but you are also sparing yourself from the hassle of cooking every single meal from scratch.

So, if you have a fridge full of food and are looking for ways to refresh those meals, consider using leftovers to create a quick and flavorful meal for your family. Your wallet and your taste buds will thank you!

In Summary.....

In conclusion, fast and easy meal preparation for families is possible with a little planning and effort. By planning ahead, cooking in bulk, using a slow cooker, prepping ingredients in advance, using simple recipes, getting the whole family involved, using convenience foods, and using leftovers, you can prepare healthy, delicious meals that the whole family will love.

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Abu Dhabi Female Training Specialist - Tash

Tash is an all-round fitness expert and has achieved a Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training and Level 2 Gym Instructor. Originally from New Zealand,

 Tash now works as a personal trainer and fitness coach in Abu Dhabi. She can provide training at home for all fitness levels and also gym training for fitness classes.

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