Meal prepping isn’t just something I do to feel organised — it’s a survival tactic. Between two people with ever-changing work hours, unpredictable weeks, and slightly different dietary needs, organisation has become our love language.
Both my Hans Martin and I are currently on keto (yes, we’re those people who can tell you the carb content of cauliflower off the top of our heads). I also have a fish allergy — though, confusingly, not to tuna or prawns — which adds a touch of mystery to every grocery shop. So for us, prepping a wide variety of dishes that can simply be defrosted and reheated in the morning is an absolute game-changer.
We trade one full weekend of cooking chaos for months of effortless, ready-to-go meals — and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Why We Do It (Besides Preservation of Sanity)
Sure, it saves time. But the benefits go far beyond that — and science agrees.
- Reduced decision fatigue: Studies show that making fewer daily decisions helps preserve willpower and reduce stress (Vohs et al., J Pers Soc Psychol, 2014). Having meals ready means one less “what’s for dinner?” battle.
- Better nutrition and consistency: When meals are prepped ahead, we’re less likely to make impulsive choices (Harvard Health, 2017). It’s easier to stay within dietary boundaries — keto or otherwise — when the food is already waiting.
- Money saved: Bulk buying, fewer takeaways (well, mostly), and less waste add up quickly.
- Stress reduction: Prepping in advance reduces the cortisol spikes linked to daily meal-time chaos (Tomiyama et al., Psychosom Med, 2015). Basically, calmer kitchens, calmer minds.
And let’s be honest — few things are as satisfying as opening the freezer and seeing weeks of neatly stacked, labelled containers.
How We Organise a Meal Prep Marathon
Our “mega-prep weekend” has become a bit of an bi-annual event. It usually starts with a ruthless clear-out of the freezer and fridge. The week leading up to it is dedicated to eating through as many of last year’s survivors as possible. This is always the worst part — especially when I’m itching to dive into the shiny new recipes.
Once the shelves are cleared, the planning begins:
- The Lifesavers List
I start with our tried-and-true staples — the ones that always make the cut:- Bolognaise (the batch that saves dinner again and again)
- Cauliflower casserole (comfort food disguised as keto)
- Beef stew (because Norwegian winters demand it)
- The Pinterest Expedition
Then comes the fun part — I fall down the Pinterest rabbit hole, gathering recipes from all over the world that fit our dietary goals. I take notes, tweak ingredients, and sometimes end up rewriting recipes completely to keep them keto-friendly and allergy-safe. - The Master Ingredient List
Once the menu is locked in, I build a master list. Every single spice, sauce, and sneaky carb gets checked. I’ve learned the hard way that even some store-bought “keto” ingredients contain hidden sugars or fish-derived additives. - The Swedish Supply Run
For us, no prep is complete without a road trip across the border to Sweden, where ingredients are much cheaper than in Norway. We pack the car like a Scandinavian version of Supermarket Sweep, return home exhausted and triumphant… and then order takeout. Every single time.
The Game Plan
Our mega-prep weekend actually begins on Friday evening, long before any pots start bubbling. I set up an assembly line for the marinades, chopping boards, and spice blends. A few whole chickens are broken down into pieces for hen stew, and the carcasses go straight into the stock pot. By the time we go to bed, the house smells faintly like broth and ambition.
From there, the weekend unfolds with a rhythm we’ve refined over time … and somewhere between the stock reducing, the marinades soaking, and the inevitable spice explosion on the counter, we remember why we do this. Not because it’s glamorous, but because by mid-winter, when we’re exhausted and hungry, the freezer becomes an absolute treasure chest.
What Meal Prepping Has Taught Us
- Time upfront = time freedom later.
A weekend of effort gives us months of flexibility. - Good planning beats good intentions.
If it’s not written down, it’s not happening. - You learn your kitchen quirks fast.
Every prep teaches you how to store, label, and portion smarter next time. And in Knerten’s pre-refurbed retro kitchen, learning to cook efficiency is worth every effort! - It’s oddly therapeutic.
There’s something grounding about chopping, stirring, and stocking up — like nesting, but for your future self.
Curiously Aligned Take
Meal prepping isn’t just about food — it’s about creating calm in the chaos. It’s a way to future-proof your sanity, your budget, and your health, all in one go. And while it costs a weekend, the return on investment tastes deliciously like freedom (and maybe a bit like cauliflower casserole).
References
Vohs, K.D., et al. (2014).
Decision fatigue exhausts self-regulatory resources and impairs self-control capacity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 106(4), 526–545.
https://doi.org/10.1037/a0036206
Harvard Health Publishing. (2017).
Meal planning can help keep your diet on track. Harvard Medical School.
(While not a journal article, this is a widely accepted, evidence-based summary used internationally in nutrition communication.)
Tomiyama, A.J., et al. (2015).
How chronic stress contributes to obesity: A biopsychosocial model. Psychosomatic Medicine, 77(2), 153–160.
https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000150
Curiously AligneD 
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