Balancing your nutrition is the first step toward having a healthy BMI. When you emphasize the right ingredients, you get a long-term weight management strategy that will keep you healthy and looking lean.
Low carb meal prep is an excellent approach, as carbohydrates can lead to weight gain and obesity if you overeat them. That’s why we’ll explain how exactly they influence the body and how you can use a meal prep plan for flawless dietary choices.
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How can low carb meal prep improve your BMI?
Low carb meal prep can do wonders for improving your BMI due to the effects of a low-carb diet on your body.
BMI, or body mass index, is a metric that shows if your weight is healthy and proportionate to your height. The formula for calculating your BMI is pretty straightforward:
BMI = (weight in pounds) / (height in inches)² x 703
Or, if you prefer to use kilograms and meters:
BMI = (weight in kilograms) / (height in meters)²
Based on that formula, you will fall into one of these ranges:
- BMI less than 18.5: underweight;
- BMI 18.5 to 24.9: normal or healthy weight;
- BMI 25 to 29.9: overweight;
- BMI 30 or higher: obese.
Having a normal BMI will play a big role in your overall health and prevent weight-related health conditions. It will also influence your mobility and energy levels, leading to a higher quality of life. Additionally, it’ll give you a good idea of your body’s composition and inform you how to control your weight.
That’s where low carb meal prep steps in to make that process much easier. It encourages the consumption of nutrient-dense foods while limiting carbohydrates. That helps you to manage your caloric intake and lose weight. Of course, that positively impacts your BMI if you’re on the higher end of the scale.
Low carb diets will also lead to lower insulin levels. High insulin levels promote fat storage. Hence, lowering them is very beneficial for weight management, which is exactly what a low carb diet does.
This approach also promotes a high protein intake, providing you with two major benefits. The first one is that it helps you preserve muscle mass, which is crucial for your body composition. The second one is that it will give you a feeling of fullness, which prevents overeating.
Finally, meals that are lower in carbohydrates help you reduce visceral fat. That type of fat surrounds your organs and can cause various health issues if it builds up.
Why should you meal prep?
Meal prepping is one of the most convenient ways to save time, money and have complete control over what you eat.
When you meal prep, you can cook several meals at once, which can be a life-saver during busy weekdays. When you are tired, you would most likely eat out. Although viable, that option tends to be costly. But with meal prep, you will spend significantly less, as buying ingredients in bulk is much more cost-effective.
Portion control is a massive part of a healthy BMI. When you meal prep, you can precisely control how many ingredients you add to each meal. That makes it effortless to count your calories and manage your weight.
Planning can also reduce the amount of food you waste. Planning your meals and buying only what you need makes you less likely to waste food. It can help you use up ingredients before they spoil.
Another advantage of this method is that you can easily bring these meals to work, school, or when traveling. Its portability will make it easier to stick to your eating plan and fitness goals.
Of course, there are some occasions when you can’t prepare your meals in advance. In that case, a low carb meal delivery service is the ideal alternative.
How to low carb meal prep?
To successfully prepare meals with little carbohydrates, you should focus on the following:
- low-carb vegetables;
- lean protein sources;
- healthy fats;
- limit high-carb ingredients.
Meal planning basics
- aim to have a variety of vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats;
- choose unprocessed foods whenever possible;
- focus on portion control to avoid overeating.
Choose low-carb vegetables
- leafy greens (like spinach or kale);
- broccoli;
- cauliflower;
- bell peppers;
- zucchini;
- asparagus;
- green beans;
- brussels sprouts.
Lean protein sources
- chicken (breast);
- turkey (breast);
- fish (salmon, tuna, cod);
- lean beef (sirloin, tenderloin);
- pork (loin);
- tofu or tempeh (for vegetarians/vegans);
- eggs.
Healthy fats
Add healthy fats into your meals, which are essential for overall health. Sources include:
- avocado;
- olive oil;
- nuts (almonds, walnuts, pistachios);
- seeds (chia seeds, flaxseeds);
- fatty fish (salmon, mackerel).
Limit high-carb ingredients
Avoid or minimize these high-carb ingredients in your meal prep:
- grains (rice, wheat, pasta);
- potatoes;
- legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas);
- sugary foods and beverages.
Low carb meals samples
Breakfast:
- veggie omelet;
- greek yogurt parfait.
Lunch:
- grilled chicken salad;
- tofu stir-fry.
Dinner:
- baked salmon with roasted asparagus;
- zucchini noodles with pesto.
Snacks:
- cucumber slices with hummus;
- mixed nuts.
Finally, cook larger batches of proteins and vegetables for the week. Portion them into containers for easy grab-and-go meals. Store fresh foods in the refrigerator or freeze leftovers.
Healthy alternatives – get your meals delivered
If you don’t feel confident in the kitchen or have the time to cook, a low carb meal delivery is the perfect alternative.
Although meal prepping will save you loads of time, a low carb meal delivery provides even more convenience. It will eliminate grocery shopping, meal planning, and cooking. The meals are pre-prepared and delivered to your doorstep, ready to eat. That is perfect for busy individuals or those who prefer to spend less time in the kitchen.
A versatile, low carb meal delivery service will offer various menu options. That allows you to try many meal options while sticking to your calorie goals. From there, you can customize your meals to suit your preferences.
Reputable delivery services focus on using fresh, high-quality ingredients. That ensures nutritious and flavorful meals which are prepared right before you eat.
Finally, a low carb meal delivery service is an excellent choice for people who are always on the go. Once again, if you go to work or school, you can simply input your address of delivery and have it wherever you need it.
Final thoughts
Low carb meal prep is essential for keeping a healthy BMI. It means eating fewer carbohydrates, which helps control calories and lose fat.
By planning and making these meals in advance, you can control how much you eat and avoid craving unhealthy foods. Of course, if you don’t feel like cooking yourself, you can always opt for a low carb meal delivery service to achieve the same results.
With these small changes, you manage your weight in the long run and improve your overall health.
