Welcome to meal prep 101: how to make healthy, delicious meals in advance. Meal prepping is a great way to ensure that you have healthy, delicious meals all week long. It can be tough to find the time to cook every day and spending hours in the kitchen, especially if you’re one of those busy people that work long hours or have a busy schedule. That’s where meal prep comes in! By cooking your individually portioned meals in advance, you can save time and energy during the week. In this article, we will discuss the basics of meal prep, how to meal prep, and give you some tips for getting started as well as some meal prep recipes.
How Do I Start Meal Prepping?
If you’re new to meal prep, the process can seem a bit daunting. However, it’s actually quite simple! All you need to do is choose a few recipes that you want to make for the week, and then set aside some time on the weekend or another day when you have some free time to cook them. When you’re doing a week’s worth of cooking, you can make a big batch of each recipe and then portion them out into individual containers. Then, when it’s time to eat, you can just grab a meal from the fridge or freezer and reheat it. Meal prepping is a great way to save time and money, and it’s also a healthy way to eat since you have more control over the ingredients that you’re using.
Meal prepping is all about planning and preparing your meals ahead of time. You can meal prep for one meal, a whole day, or even an entire week. Meal prepping can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. The key is to find what works best for you and your lifestyle.
Is Meal Prep Good For Weight Loss?
Meal prepping is a great tool for weight loss since it helps you to control your portion sizes and make healthy meals. When you meal prep, you can portion out your meals ahead of time so that you know exactly how much you’re eating. This can be helpful if you’re trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. In addition, meal prepping allows you to control the ingredients in your food. You can choose healthy, whole foods and avoid processed foods when you meal prep. This can help you to eat more nutrient-dense meals and reach your weight loss goals with a healthy lifestyle. You can find healthy recipes everywhere and most will tell you how to meal prep them.
Do Pre-made Meals Or Frozen Foods Count As Meal Prep?
Yes, meal prep can definitely include pre-made meals or frozen foods. If you’re short on time, you can purchase some healthy premade meals or frozen meals and then portion them out for the week. This can be a great way to get all of the benefits of meal prep without having to cook everything from scratch. Just make sure that you’re choosing healthy options with plenty of nutrient-dense foods.
*Disclosure, below are affiliate links to products we recommend. We do not include links to products we have not used or honestly recommend*
What Are Some Meal Prep Tips?
Now that we’ve answered some of the most common questions about meal prep, let’s give you some tips to get started.
Plan Your Meals
Before you start cooking, take some time to plan out your meals for the week. This will help you to choose recipes that are healthy and delicious, and it will also save you time in the kitchen.
Grocery Shopping List
Once you have your recipes planned, make a grocery shopping list of all the ingredients that you’ll need. This will help you to save time at the store by having a grocery list and ensuring that you have everything you need for your meal prep.
Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so it’s a great place to start meal prepping. There are plenty of healthy and delicious breakfast recipes that can be made ahead of time. These include overnight oats, chia pudding, breakfast burritos, Waffles and more.
Prepare Simple Meals
If you’re short on time, meal prep simple meals that can be easily reheated. Examples include grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, quinoa or rice dishes, and soup.
Make Snacks Ahead Of time
In addition to meal prepping your main dishes, you can also make ahead healthy snacks like hard-boiled eggs, energy balls, fruit cups, and more. This way, you’ll always have something healthy to eat when you’re feeling hungry.
Invest In Meal Prep Containers
Meal prep containers are a great way to store your food and keep it fresh. They come in all different sizes and can be found at most kitchen stores or online. In most cases, you will want airtight containers to preserve your food the best.
Meal Prep Containers
One of the most important meal prep supplies is a good set of meal prep containers. You’ll need something to store your cooked meals in, and there are a variety of different options available. You can find meal prep containers made out of plastic, glass, or even stainless steel. Choose whichever type you prefer, but make sure that they are BPA-free and dishwasher safe.
Is Meal Prep Good For 5 Days?
Meal prep can be good for five days, but it really depends on the types of food you’re preparing. If you’re meal-prepping meat or fish, it’s best to eat it within three days, so it’s best to plan on eating those meals faster. However, if you’re meal-prepping food that doesn’t require cooking such as vegetables or grains, they can last up to five days in the fridge.
How Often Should You Meal Prep?
You can meal prep as often or as little as you want. If you’re short on time, meal prepping once a week can be helpful. If you have more time, meal prepping multiple times a week can be beneficial. It really depends on your lifestyle and what works best for you.
How To Meal Prep (The Steps)
Here is a simple checklist of how to meal prep your favorite meal prep recipes or meals.
Protein
Start by cooking your protein source. This can be anything from chicken breasts to tofu. cook the protein in bulk so that you have enough for all of your meals. Then, portion out the cooked protein into your meal prep containers.
Vegetables
Next, add some vegetables to your meal prep containers. You can either cook them in advance or chop them up and add them raw. If you are adding raw veggies, be sure to include a dipping sauce or dressing so they don’t get dry.
Carbohydrates
Finally, add some carbohydrates to your meal prep containers. This could be rice, quinoa, pasta, or potatoes. Again, you can either cook these in advance or add them raw. If you are adding raw carbs, be sure to include a dipping sauce or dressing so they don’t get dry.
Storing
Once you have your meal prep containers filled with all of the components of your meal, you can store all your meals in the fridge for up to a week. When you’re ready to eat, just heat up your meal and enjoy!
Meal Prep Delicious Recipes and Ideas
Now that you know the basics of meal prep, it’s time to get started! Here are some meal prep recipes and ideas to get you started.
Breakfast.
Below are some awesome breakfast meal prep recipes and ideas. Add some fresh fruit to your container and breakfast will be ready whenever you need it.
Overnight Oats.
Overnight oats are a healthy and delicious breakfast option that can be made ahead of time. This takes 5 minutes or less to prepare and you can customize it with your favorite fruit or other toppings.
Waffles.
Waffles are a great breakfast or brunch meal that can be made ahead of time by batch cooking. Simply prepare the batter, cook the waffles, and then freeze them. When you’re ready to eat, just pop them in the toaster or reheat them in the oven. Serve with maple syrup or your favorite toppings.
French Toast.
French toast is another great breakfast meal that can be made ahead of time with batch cooking. Simply prepare the batter, cook the french toast, and then freeze it. When you’re ready to eat, just pop it in the toaster or reheat it in the oven. Serve with maple syrup or your favorite toppings.
Yogurt.
Yogurt is a healthy and delicious breakfast option that can be made ahead of time. Simply add your favorite yogurt to a meal prep container and top with fresh fruit, granola, or other toppings.
Lunch/Dinner.
Below are some awesome lunch and dinner meal prep recipes and ideas. Add some fresh fruit or a salad to your container and lunch or dinner will be ready whenever you need it.
Teriyaki Chicken And Cauliflower Rice.
This meal is packed with protein and veggies and can be made ahead of time. Simply cook the chicken and rice in advance, then store them in a meal prep container. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat and enjoy.
Pulled Chicken Tacos.
These tacos are a healthier version of the classic and can be made ahead of time. They are also one of our favorite meal prep recipes. Simply cook the chicken in advance, then store it in a meal prep container. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat and enjoy.
Bean And Rice Burrito Bowl.
This meal is packed with protein and fiber and can be made ahead of time. Simply cook the beans and rice in advance, then store them in a meal prep container. Use your favorite beans or rice. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat and add your veggies and other toppings, and enjoy.
Low-Calorie Pizza.
This meal is a healthier version of the classic and can be made ahead of time. Simply cook the pizza in advance, then store it in a meal prep container. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat and enjoy.
Salads.
Salads are a great meal prep option because they can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Simply choose your favorite salad ingredients, then store them in a meal prep container. When you’re ready to eat, just add your dressing and enjoy.
Soup.
Soup is another great meal prep option because it can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Simply choose your favorite soup recipe, then store it in a meal prep container. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat and enjoy.
Snacks/Desserts.
Below are some awesome snack and dessert meal ideas and recipes. These can be made ahead of time and will be ready whenever you need them.
Fruit.
Fresh fruit is a healthy and delicious snack that can be made ahead of time. Simply add your favorite fruit to a meal prep container and enjoy.
Veggies And Dip.
Veggies are a healthy and delicious snack that can be made ahead of time. Simply add your favorite veggies to a meal prep container and enjoy with a dip of your choice.
Hummus.
Hummus is a healthy and delicious snack that can be made ahead of time. Simply add your favorite hummus to a meal prep container and enjoy with fresh veggies or pita bread.
Yogurt Parfait.
A yogurt parfait is a healthy and delicious snack or dessert that can be made ahead of time. Simply layer yogurt, fresh fruit, and granola in a meal prep container and enjoy.
Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Chocolate chip cookies are a delicious dessert that can be made ahead of time. Simply bake the cookies in advance, then store them in a meal prep container, this is a great way to indulge without eating the entire batch or bag. When you’re ready to eat, just enjoy.
What Are Some Tools That Can Help With Meal Prep?
There are a few key tools that can help with meal prep. Below are some of our favorites.
Containers
These are great for storing your prepped meals and keeping them fresh.
A Good Knife
A sharp knife will make meal prep much easier and faster.
A Cutting Board
This is a necessary tool for meal prep.
Blender
A blender can be used to make smoothies, soups, sauces, dips and more.
Food Processor
A food processor can be used to chop veggies, shred chicken, and more.
Slow Cooker/Air Fryer
This is a great tool to have especially if you are batch cooking and meal planning for a week ahead.
Measuring Cups And Spoons
These are necessary for measuring ingredients.
Summary
Meal prepping is a great way to meal plan and ensure that you have healthy, delicious meals all week long. It also saves you cooking time throughout the week by doing the whole week of breakfast, lunch, and dinners at once. Another great benefit is you always have something ready so you’re not running off for fast food. Give it a try and see how it can help simplify your life! And if you’re looking for some meal prep inspiration, be sure to check out our recipes section. We have plenty of great meal prep ideas for you to try! meal prepping is a great way to save time and money while still eating healthy. Let us know what your favorite recipes or other meals are in the comments below. What are you waiting for? Get started today!
