Now that 2025 is underway, it’s the perfect time to start those New Year’s Resolutions or at the very least, see this year as a blank canvas, a fresh start and the beginning of a healthier lifestyle. There are plenty of ways you can introduce or add nutritious meals to your day, as ZWILLING’s in-house chef Paul Bough confirms, with his top tips on how to meal prep in a more healthy and sustainable way…

1 Plan ahead for success

“The key to successful meal prep is planning ahead. Set aside time over the weekend to map out your meals for the week. This ensures you’re including a variety of healthy ingredients such as lean proteins, whole grains and fresh vegetables. Planning also helps maintain consistency with your health goals, reducing the temptation to stray off track during a busy week.”

ZWILLING’s Fresh & Save vacuum food storage keeps contents fresh for up to five times’ longer

2 Batch cook to save time and energy

“Batch cooking is an excellent way to save time throughout the week. Prepare larger portions of versatile ingredients such as quinoa, grilled chicken or roasted vegetables. These can be reused in different meals, allowing you to mix and match without feeling like you’re eating the same thing every day. It’s a simple yet effective strategy to stay on top of your healthy eating goals.”

A STAUB Cast Iron Cocotte is a versatile piece of cookware that you can use to batch cook all kinds of meals throughout the week

3 Invest in quality tools

“Having the right kitchen tools can make meal prepping far easier and more enjoyable. A sharp chef’s knife, durable chopping boards and versatile cookware are essential.”

ZWILLING’s Z-CUT Collection includes tools for everything from grating carrots and cheese to spiralising courgettes

4 Focus on balanced nutrition

“When planning your meals, aim for a balanced nutritional profile. Each meal should contain a good mix of protein, healthy fats and fibre-rich carbohydrates. For example, a grain bowl with quinoa, roasted vegetables, a lean protein such as chicken or tofu and a drizzle of olive oil makes for a perfectly balanced meal. This helps ensure your body is getting the nutrients it needs throughout the day.”

5 Prepping snacks for healthy choices

“Meal prep isn’t just for your main meals — don’t forget to prep healthy snacks as well. Pre-cut fruits and vegetables, portioned nuts or homemade energy bars can help you avoid reaching for unhealthy options when hunger strikes. Having nutritious snacks ready to go makes a big difference in staying on track.”

6 Label and store properly

“Organisation is key when it comes to meal prep. Be sure to label your containers with both the contents and the date to help keep track of what you’ve made. Use clear airtight containers to maintain freshness throughout the week. ZWILLING’s FRESH & SAVE vacuum sealed containers will extend the shelf life of your prepped meals significantly. What’s more, you can scan the QR code to make a note of best before dates – ensuring nothing goes to waste.”

7 Embrace seasonal ingredients

“Incorporating seasonal ingredients into your meal prep not only ensures you’re eating the freshest produce but also keeps your meals exciting. Try root vegetables in the winter or fresh berries in the summer. Experimenting with seasonal produce can bring variety to your meals and keep your routine from becoming monotonous.”

ZWILLING’s ENFINIGY Personal Blender is perfect for prepping delicious homemade soups and protein-packed smoothies

There are so many tools, gadgets and small appliances to start you on your way. As well as the above from ZWILLING and STAUB, these designs have also caught our Kitchen Think eye…

When it comes to adding some more protein to your lunches and evening meals, the Salter Large Health Grill is the perfect solution. Not only is it quick and convenient to use, it cooks meat and fish with less oil, reducing fat content. Added benefits include a non-stick ceramic coating and built-in drip tray.

Salter’s Aspen 3-Tier Food Steamer is also on our wish-list. It has three stackable steaming baskets and rice bowl, so you can cook a range of foods simultaneously, while the compact design ensures easy storage when not in use. We also like the fact that it has a timer and can save energy compared to boiling.

Simplify meal prep with the Salter Multifunctional Food Chopper. Its six interchangeable blades chop, dice, slice, grate and mince effortlessly. Made from BPA-free plastic with a protective finger guard, it ensures safe use and is perfect for fresh salads and vegetable prep.

Make your own mouth-watering salad dressings and sauces with Kilner’s Salad Dressing Maker, which has a stainless steel coiled spring inside to blend the ingredients with a simple shake.

And to store all those healthy salads, fruit, fish and vegetables, check out Liebherr’s premium Monolith range, which includes BioFresh technology for extended food preservation, customisable storage and smart connectivity.