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If you wish to transition to a healthier lifestyle, meal management is the way to go. It's basically a method of meal prepping, meal planning, and meal storage, all with the goal of maintaining a healthy diet, saving time, and improving your overall wellbeing. This process also helps you keep track of your calories and macros, netting you the best results.

But meal management isn't as easy as keeping a meal journal and listing down what you want to eat every day. If you don't know how to get started, here are some tips that can help:

Create a checklist

Proper meal management begins with creating a checklist. You can start by taking note of all the nutritious ingredients that you would need for your meals, as suggested in our 'How to Stock A Healthy Kitchen' guide.

It would also help if you kept a notebook — digital or otherwise — where you can keep recipe ideas. If you're really serious about meal management, you may even want to start a calendar of what you'd like to cook over the next few days or weeks, complete with notes on each menu. This way, nothing will fall through the cracks when you start meal preparation. And while notetaking may seem like tedious work, it can make your job a cakewalk. It can also save you a lot of cash, since you have an overview of each meal you're going to consume.

Choose the right equipment

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Having the right equipment can make a world of difference when it comes to meal planning. You can save so much time and energy with the help of kitchen tools!

Even something as simple as a rice cooker can make your routine a lot easier. For instance, Aroma rice cookers can steam veggies or fish in the steamer tray while cooking numerous cups of brown rice simultaneously. These gadgets can also be used to make a warm and nutritious soup in just a few clicks. Nutri-Bullets or food processors are another great kitchen investment that can help you create homemade hummus in just a few minutes. Through these gadgets, you can whip up a healthy five-star meal with very little effort.

Get organized

It may seem convenient to just place your groceries or kitchen equipment in random spots. However, kitchen clutter can cause a lot of trouble, especially when it comes to meal prepping! Just imagine having to walk back and forth inside your kitchen just to find the right ingredients or the correct kitchen tools.

Indeed, good organization is a crucial component to any successful meal plan, so it's important to make an effort in designing an organized kitchen, pantry, and refrigerator. When your space is clutter-free, it makes everything from menu creation, grocery shopping, and meal prep a breeze, considering how you'll know where the tools and ingredients you need are situated.

Diversify your menu

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It may be easy and convenient to make the same menu over and over again, but it's not sustainable in the long run. You also won't have to repeat the same meals, especially if you have checklists and kitchen tools that can simplify meal management. Just check the recipes you haven't tried or the ingredients you haven't used, and use your trusty kitchen equipment to quickly create a new and healthy meal.

You can also avoid repeating your meals by trying out new ingredients. For instance, if you always opt for white and brown rice, you can try other grains like quinoa or wild rice. If you're fond of munching on bananas and apples, consider giving other fruits a try. A good tip would be letting the seasons change your meal plan for you. When you eat fruits and veggies that are in season, it allows you to vary your menu from time to time.

It will be easier for you to live healthier if you practice proper meal management. Make this task a breeze by creating a checklist, investing in kitchen tools, organizing your kitchen, and adding a bit of diversity to your meals!

exclusively written for lolasnacks.com By Alanna Ford