Stealth Health Meal Prep Cookbook Study Notes
STEALTH HEALTH MEAL PREP COOKBOOK HIGH-PROTEIN MEAL PREPS THAT TASTE LIKE CHEAT MEALS
INTRODUCTION
My name is Tom Walsh, and I'm the man behind @Stealth_Health_Life. Many of my fondest childhood memories were centered around family meals, which significantly shaped my identity. After high school, I turned to weightlifting and began viewing food as mere fuel rather than a source of joy. Transitions into diet culture led me to believe that delicious meals were inherently "bad"; thus, I sacrificed my favorite foods for fitness goals. However, over time, I realized I could merge my understanding of nutrition with my enthusiasm for food and cooking. Through experimentation, I discovered ways to enhance the healthiness of meals without sacrificing flavor, highlighting that taste and healthiness can coexist. The ultimate diet is one you enjoy; when dining is enjoyable, it doesn't feel like a chore.
THE CHALLENGE OF TIME IN DIETING
In the past year, I've committed myself to addressing one of the significant challenges in dieting: time constraints. Many people begin diets by asking what they need to eliminate to lose weight, but the answer is straightforward: nothing. Any food or macronutrient split can help achieve weight loss if you're in a calorie deficit. The key is awareness of caloric intake rather than removal of specific foods. One effective method to decrease caloric intake without feeling deprived is consuming lower-calorie foods; contrary to the common belief that low-calorie meals are unappetizing, this cookbook offers recipes that are both delicious and low in calories.
MEAL PREPPING
Meal prepping is the solution to the time challenge in dieting; although I did not invent it, I believe many people approach it incorrectly. Most envision meal prep as unappetizing combinations of chicken, rice, and broccoli, leading to often-rewarded cheat days. To make meal prepping effective, it must be enjoyable and appealing. Bring meals that are more inviting than anything from a food court, and you'll be more likely to succeed. I began meal prepping out of necessity due to a busy lifestyle.
Over the past year, I dedicated myself to revolutionizing meal prep, creating indulgent and high-protein meal preps suited for busy lifestyles. Whether you're an experienced meal prepper or a novice, this book provides everything you need to enjoy the meal prep process.
THE LEFTOVER APPROACH TO MEAL PREPPING
Typically, meal prepping resembles a time-consuming undertaking where one spends a significant portion of their weekend or free time cooking multiple meals. This often involves cooking numerous different dishes on a singular day, which can be incredibly taxing. Instead, I propose the “Leftover Approach.”
Simply cook larger portions while preparing your regular dinner, making enough to serve as future meal preps. For example, if you usually prepare meals that yield 1-2 servings, aim for 10 servings by doubling the recipe as you become familiar with new dishes. Cooking in larger quantities drastically cuts down the time spent manipulating cooking stations, shopping, and cleaning because these effort costs remain relatively constant, regardless of meal portion size. By preparing larger quantities, you can portion out multiple servings for the freezer, ultimately maximizing the time spent cooking.
FOOD STORAGE AND FREEZING MEAL PREPS
An important tip: always freeze meal preps. Freezing preserves food by halting the degradation process, making food last longer and taste better. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, freezing preserves food by slowing down microbe activity; food can be stored indefinitely if frozen correctly.
Reheating Instructions
I recommend reheating my 500-calorie meals by loosening the lid of the container, covering with a paper towel, microwaving for 2 minutes, stirring, and microwaving an additional 2.5—3 minutes. If the meal appears dry, add milk or water to restore sauces.
APPLIANCES AND COMMON INGREDIENTS
Appliances
- Instant Vortex 7-in-1
- Vitamix
- Ninja Bullet
- Handheld Immersion Blender
- Air Fryer
- Blender
- Microwave
- Oven
Common Ingredients
- Chicken breast and thighs
- Lean ground beef (93%)
- 2% or fat-free cottage cheese
- Greek yogurt
- Center cut bacon
- Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- Reduced-fat cheddar cheese
- standard pasta
- Basmati or Jasmine rice
- Soy sauce
- Acids: lemon, lime, vinegar
TABLE OF CONTENTS
500 Calorie Meal Prep
- Chicken Fried Rice
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Alfredo
- Cajun Chicken Mac n Cheese
- Orzo Burrito Bowls
- Lemon Parmesan Chicken & Rice
- Orange Chicken
- Spicy Peanut Sauce Noodles
- Chipotle Chicken & Bacon Alfredo
- Queso Chicken & Rice
- Loaded Cheddar Fries
- Chicken Burrito Bowls
- Taco Mac n Cheese
- Honey Garlic Chicken & Rice
- Korean Beef Rice Bowls
- Green Chile Queso Mac n Cheese
- Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
- Pepperoni Pizza Bagel Bites
- Honey Garlic Chili Crisp Noodles
- Buffalo Chicken Mac n Cheese
- Italian Meatball Pasta
- Pepperoni Pizza Mac n Cheese
- Butter Chicken Rice Bowls
- Everything Bagel Chicken Alfredo
- Pollo Asado Burrito Bowl
- Chicken Bulgogi Rice Bowls
- Halal Cart-Style Chicken & Rice
- Jalapeño Popper Mac n Cheese
- Chicken Parm Burrito
- Chicken Cali Burrito
- Creamy Chicken & Cheese Burritos
- Frittata Breakfast Burrito
- Mini Creamy Beef & Cheese Burritos
- Street Taco Breakfast Burritos
- Street Taco Taquitos
- Sausage Egg & Cheese Sandwiches
- Ham Egg & Cheese Sandwiches
- Frozen Cheeseburgers
RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Chicken Fried Rice
Ingredients:
- Chicken breast, thinly sliced and diced (total: 25 oz)
- Garlic powder (1 tablespoon)
- Soy sauce (2 tablespoons)
- Avocado oil (1 tablespoon)
- Sriracha (1 tablespoon)
- Mixed frozen veggies (300g)
- Egg whites (200g)
- Eggs (3 whole)
- Cooked rice (700g)
Instructions:
- Dice chicken and marinate.
- Whisk egg whites and eggs in a bowl.
- Cook the chicken in batches on high heat for 2-3 minutes until cooked through.
- Cook mixed veggies.
- Scramble eggs, and mix with rice and other ingredients.