Foundation Series: Meal Prep
In behavioural economics they talk about the difficulty between bridging knowledge and bridging practice. In basic terms, even though we know (knowledge) an action will leave us better off, having to take the action increases friction to actually taking it.
An example, You come home from a long day at work, you’re tired and grump because your co-worker hasn’t done their job and it feels like you’re doing the work of 2 people. You come into your house and drop your keys. You have a few odds and ends in the fridge, you could probably whip up something simple but fuck it, You can uber eats, sit on the couch and watch an episode of your favourite true crime.
The dilemma here is that it stops you from eating a healthy meal, it probably increases the number of calories you’d have otherwise eaten, and maybe it cost way more to be fed this occasion.
The problem here isn’t knowledge, the problem is friction.
If we want to change behaviours and move towards healthier eating we need to reduce friction.
The Argument for meal prepping is simple.
If we have some meals prepared, we have a chance at reducing the friction to eating better. If all I have to do is heat a meal or take out some tupperware, I’ve made it easier to eat better.
I’ve reduced the friction.
Increasing the balance of healthy nutrient dense, lower calorie food is the game when it comes to steady weight loss.
