Spice Up Your Meal Prep

Whether you’re getting ready for a bodybuilding competition, shaping up for a special event, or working on a revenge body that’ll make your ex weep, what you eat will determine how dramatic your transformation will be. A standard trend in the fitness world is a process called “meal prep”. Meal prepping is when you prepare all of your daily meals in advance, normally a week worth of meals. This is a really smart approach for staying on track and in control of your food intake, especially if you don’t have time during the week to cook or you’re often tempted by the sweet smell of fast food in the air. However, if you’ve ever tried meal prepping, you’ll know that after day 2 of that yummy chicken and broccoli dish you’ve prepared, eating the same meal day in and day out becomes a real task. So how do you give repeated meals a fresh taste and keep your diet going strong? Seasonings!

The easiest way to keep your tastes buds excited for the next meal is by having a good arsenal of spices you can sprinkle during the week, but seasonings aren’t just good for taste, many of them can actually help you reach your fitness goals. Here are some spices that’ll not only make your meals taste delicious but will work hand and hand on your fit journey.

Turmeric. This bright orange spice is harvested as a root but is easiest found in powder form at grocery stores. Because of its high potassium levels and anti-inflammatory qualities it makes for a great post workout seasoning. Turmeric will help calm and soothe that achy tired feeling caused by inflammation, helping you bounce back into the gym quicker. This spice pairs great with fish.

Ginger. Bold with spicy kick, this spice has many health benefits. Ginger is most commonly used for relieving digestive problems. It’s also a diaphoretic; this means it promotes sweating which will help you shed water weight. Ginger is extremely versatile, as it pairs well with everything from meat, to vegetables, it’ll even add a delightful punch to your tea.

Cinnamon. This spice is perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth craving. Cinnamon has a high source of anti oxidants and like turmeric contains anti-inflammatory properties, which will help relieve muscle soreness. Sprinkle some on your baked sweet potato or carrots for an almost dessert like experience.

There you have it, these spices will get you started. There are many more out there so don’t be afraid to steer away from the ordinary salt and pepper and dive into new flavors. Happy meal prepping!