VOOD FEED

Meal Prep Food Trend

Hanna Stephan

Pre-cooking 2.0 – Meal prep can also be vegan

In a world where our time is precious and in which we are becoming ever more aware of the environment and where we are constantly self-optimising, a tried and tested method is experiencing a new lease of life. What was known as „preparing food“ has been given a new name suitable for Instagram: meal prep! This is planning, preparing and pre-cooking meals in an efficient, healthy and contemporary way. There is an element of genius that simplifies your everyday life. This food trend „vegan meal prep“ not only combines the practical needs of modern life, but also the ethical convictions of vegan fans who long for a more sustainable, healthier lifestyle. If that sounds familiar, then let’s find out more about it…

The idea of preparing meals in advance to save time and promote healthy eating is not new. Time-honoured traditions start with preserving, such as canning, pickling, fermenting and much more. And of course, you’re also familiar with good old-fashioned pre-cooking in large quantities ready for freezing. But this inspiration which fuses social media and vegan nutrition gives this concept a new dimension that goes far beyond the mere act of cooking and eating. The result is a movement that is about more than just food – it is an expression of mindfulness towards our planet, to animals and to ourselves.

Deciding in favour of a conscious eating culture

Let’s think back to the beginning, when the idea of doing without animal products was still considered a niche phenomenon. As we know, over time this idea has evolved into a powerful force that has redefined cooking and eating. Veganism is far more than a dietary choice; it has become a way of life based on compassion, health and sustainability.

And this is exactly where vegan meal prep comes into play. This is not only a simple solution for hectic everyday life, but also an expression of our commitment to a more conscious eating culture. When we plan and prepare our meals in advance, we not only reduce our own stress, but also minimise the ecological footprint of our diet. The great thing about this is that we also produce less food waste, i.e. we throw away less food. Every vegan meal that is lovingly prepared and packaged is a small act of rebellion against the status quo. A sign that we can consciously choose what ends up on our plates, how and when – and therefore which world we want to help shape. The decision to adopt a vegan diet is often a decision for change – changing our own lives and changing the world around us. And whatever it is that motivates us to eat and live vegan, it is a force greater than ourselves. Vegan meal prep helps us to channel this power and bring it into the world in a clever way – one bite at a time.

The prep plan makes every day vegan life easy

With the stress and time pressure of everyday life, working people, students and especially families are always on the lookout for efficient solutions to eat healthily without too much effort. To this end, a remarkable trend has developed: pre-cooking with the same ingredients for different dishes. This innovative approach is revolutionising the way families prepare meals, saving a lot of time, reducing stress and promoting a healthier lifestyle.

The key is a well thought out prep plan. Families plan ahead and prepare large quantities of basic ingredients such as chickpeas, quinoa or vegetables. Basics such as sauces, pastes, doughs etc. are also prepared. These are then used in different dishes and variations that only need to be reheated during the week. Just think about doing this with the all-time favourite – the potato: once pre-cooked, you can make a crunchy potato salad for Monday, mashed potatoes for Tuesday and gnocchi dough to keep in the fridge for the second half of the week.

Don’t miss the trend on social media

Many influencers are already supporting this trend on social media and helping their followers by sharing detailed weekly cooking plans. Vegan influencers in particular play an important role here, as they focus specifically on plant-based nutrition for families. Some of the best-known vegan influencers who focus on family cooking include Ellen Fisher (@ellenfisher), Hannah Chia (@hannahchia) and Maddie Lymburner (@maddielymburner). Their step-by-step instructions with appetising pictures make you want to copy them. Other social media stars have meal prep for working from home, the festive season and many other occasions. All of these influencers not only offer delicious recipes, but also provide tips on planning and organising meals to make everyday life easier for families, for example.

Ideas for your green prep week

An example week could look like this: On Sunday, chickpeas are cooked and portioned into containers. These then serve as the basis for dishes such as chickpea and sweet potato curry, chickpea salad, hummus, a detox bowl and chickpea burgers during the week. And because today is your cooking day, you can also chop up a large quantity of vegetables and use them in the next few days for various dishes such as a vegetable stir-fry, vegetable soup or stew and wraps. On all the other days of your green week, all you have to do is conjure up the finishing touches to your dishes and enjoy.

Saving time and money, wasting less

This ingenious approach is extremely efficient, especially for families. By preparing large quantities and using the ingredients in different combinations, you reduce food waste and save money as you can buy the ingredients in larger quantities.

The industry has been quick to respond to this trend and offers special containers for the fridge that are perfect for storing and organising prepared ingredients. Just take a look: many families proudly share pictures of their well-organised fridges on social media platforms such as Instagram and inspire others to follow this trend.

Diversity is the key

This concept is similar to the popular Netflix series that focus on culinary themes. One of these series is „Salt Fat Acid Heat“, which emphasises the importance of basic ingredients and their versatile use in different dishes. For example, a large amount of soup at the beginning of the week can be used as a sauce for pasta or as a base for other dishes.

Even seemingly simple dishes like pancakes can be wonderfully versatile. You can use your pancake batter to make everything from savoury crêpes or rolls to soup side dishes and delicious desserts. This creative use of ingredients allows families to add variety to their diet without having to constantly cook new dishes from scratch.

Prepping for everyone

But of course, this convenient and delicious vood trend is not just a bonus for families, but for anyone who appreciates the value of home-cooked meals and fresh ingredients. This can become your new go-to approach if you see the benefits of a smart approach over a convenient one, but often over less healthy, ready-made meals. By planning and preparing meals for themselves, everyone can ensure they are eating healthily and enjoying delicious meals while investing minimal time.

Overall, the meal prep trend shows that with a little planning and creativity, healthy eating and family life or work or study can be combined.