While some see meal prepping as a chore, one mother-of-two has mastered the art and even credited it for her incredible 34 kilogram weight loss.
Sascha Farley, 27, from Sydney, recently cooked up an impressive 114 meals and snacks for just $129 – each meal costing just $1.13 per serve.
‘I had never prepped before, before I started doing this and focusing on my health I was the absolute opposite and was shopping every single day to buy things for dinner,’ Sascha told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I found a program called the Healthy Mummy after the birth of my daughter last year in August and decided to give it a go because I wanted to lose weight the right way.’
Sascha Farley, 27, from Sydney, recently cooked up an impressive 114 meals and snacks for just $129 – each meal costing just $1.13 per serve
Before and after: ‘I had never prepped before, before I started doing this and focusing on my health I was the absolute opposite and was shopping every single day to buy things for dinner,’ Sascha told Daily Mail Australia
Before and after: ‘I found a program called the Healthy Mummy after the birth of my daughter last year in August and decided to give it a go because I wanted to lose weight the right way,’ she said
Sascha started following a meal plan – including meals like sweet potato nachos and snacks like bliss balls – and within five months, lost 25 kilograms by doing no exercise.
‘I plan on Friday, shop on Saturday and cook on Sunday,’ Sascha said, adding that she will often cook for the week ahead but sometimes cooks more.
‘It’s about knowing exactly what you’re making and what you need to buy so you only need to go to the supermarket once.’
Speaking of her tips for successful meal prep, Sascha said she will often replace meals that require pork, beef or chicken fillets with mince instead.
Sascha started following a meal plan – including meals like sweet potato nachos (pictured) and snacks like bliss balls – and within five months, lost 25 kilograms by doing no exercise
‘It still tastes the same and it’s cheaper and you are not having to dice up a whole lot of meat or anything,’ Sascha said
Sascha also cooks double portions for dinners so they serve as the following day’s lunch and always swaps out pricey vegetables for cheaper, seasonal options
‘It still tastes the same and it’s cheaper and you are not having to dice up a whole lot of meat or anything,’ Sascha said.
‘I also buy in bulk and freeze what I don’t use – I weigh it all and portion it as soon as as I get it and it saves so much time and money.’
Sascha also cooks double portions for dinners so they serve as the following day’s lunch and always swaps out pricey vegetables for cheaper, seasonal options.
Sascha also buys anything that is on sale that can be frozen – like shallots – and spends an hour or two cooking on Sundays.
Sascha also buys anything that is on sale that can be frozen – like shallots – and spends an hour or two cooking on Sundays
Pictured are her devilled sausages with sweet potato mash. They work out at 408 calories per serve
‘I have the stovetop, my thermomix and the oven all going at once so you can really get it done quickly, it’s pretty simple!’ Sascha said.
Meals included in Sascha’s most recent cookup include sweet potato nachos, honey lemon chicken salad, chocolate coconut slices and zucchini muffins.
Sascha’s one-year-old daughter and three-year-old son also love the food she makes.
One of Sascha’s most important tips is to set out meal prepping without trying to ‘please everyone’.
‘I’m the cook, if you don’t like it you can get in the kitchen,’ she said.
Meals included in Sascha’s most recent cookup include sweet potato nachos, honey lemon chicken salad, chocolate coconut slices and zucchini muffins
Sascha always preps all her veggies beforehand, portions them and then freezes what she doesn’t need
Sascha also said it’s fine to repeat meals as she is ‘proof repeating meals doesn’t hinder your results’
‘Also keep it simple, make sure you don’t shop well and don’t need to shop during the week and don’t be restrictive – portion appropriately.’
Sascha also said it’s fine to repeat meals as she is ‘proof repeating meals doesn’t hinder your results’.
Since starting the program, Sascha has doubled her calorie intake and has lost 34 kilograms.
‘Knowing I am making the right choices, especially when it comes to ‘treats’ has been the biggest learning curve for me,’ she said.
‘I’ve always got 2-3 healthy dessert treats ready for my sweet tooth hits. With education comes freedom and this program has given me that.’