You’re moving. And that means that your refrigerator and pantry are probably empty. What are some easy meals to cook while moving? Planning your snacks and pre-cooking your meals can give you a little more budgetary wiggle room, rather than driving up your costs (and calorie count) with fast food. Here’s how to eat healthy, satisfying meals while you move.
The Best Food Ideas for Movers
When moving, people tend to go out to eat a lot, or stop and get fast food. But that’s not a great idea when you’re already being physically active. Eating poorly will just make you feel even more exhausted and drained — and spending tons of money at restaurants isn’t great, either. The best food is the food that you’re able to prepare for yourself because only you know your preferences and dietary needs. A good place to start is to think about what healthy, sustainable meals you actually enjoy!
Create a Meal Plan in Advance
Create a list of meals to make before moving, with an emphasis on using up the food that you still have. Have some heavy cream in your refrigerator? Time to make some hearty muffins, to carry you through the mornings. Stir-fries and stews are both great ways to use up additional ingredients because you can throw everything into the pot or pan.
Keep in mind the fact that you probably won’t immediately unpack your kitchen after your move either. You’ll need a plan for those first few nights.
Have a Meal Prep Day Before Your Move
Before your move swings into full gear, have a meal prep day. Cook healthy meals and pop them in the refrigerator — you can eat them while you’re packing and moving, without having to cook. Getting into the meal prep habit is a good idea anyway. You can cook two or three full meals and then partition them between days, so you still have a variety in your food schedule.
Keep Healthy, Shelf-Stable Snacks Around
Granola bars, fruit, and nuts can be left out during your move, to give you a healthy boost of energy as you pack. These shelf-stable snacks can be left in your old home and your new home, or even in your car. Packing and moving are both time-consuming and difficult. It’s easy to accidentally skip a meal or to find yourself needing some food immediately. Having some snacks around means that you aren’t going to be tempted to pull into the nearest fast food place.
What to Feed Friends Who Help You Move
Let’s face it: when it comes to food ideas for movers, pizza is a classic. It’s a contract: friends help you move, and you buy them pizza and beer. But that doesn’t mean pizza is the only thing you can serve, nor is it the only way to show gratitude. At the end of a sweaty, exhausting day of moving, you just want something simple and hearty. Consider:
- Looking at your local meal delivery apps. In lieu of pizza, you might also be able to get sub sandwiches delivered, or other easy-to-eat food.
- Getting takeout. Chinese takeout might not be the healthiest thing in the world, but it at least provides for slightly more variety.
- Pre-cooking. Throw some chili or potatoes and veggies in a crockpot at the beginning of the day, and you’ll have a hearty meal at the end of the day.
Ask your friends what they want to eat, if you’re looking for additional food ideas for movers. Sometimes a good pizza is enough, but that doesn’t mean you should eat it every day! Don’t want to have to worry about what to serve your friends? Hire professional movers!
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