Meal Prep 101

Eating healthy can seem like a daunting task.  Meal planning and prepping are arguably the most important factors in maintaining a healthy diet, but the process can be overwhelming at first.

I've put together a few of my top tips for basic meal planning. First and foremost, don't try to change everything at once! Small, consistent changes are what will eventually lead to a sustainable, healthier lifestyle. Here are my tips for those of you who are just starting out:

1. The most important tip – plan and schedule your meals before you start!! If you are only prepping for dinners, at least have a dinner schedule. I usually make about 3 dinners each week and eat leftovers the other nights.

2. Choose your recipes, then make a grocery list. If you really love to save time like I do, choose a grocery service that allows you to order online and either pick it up or have it delivered!

3. Prepare as much as possible on Sunday (or whatever day you choose to prep). Examples include:

                - grill chicken breasts for salads

                - wash and chop all fruits and veggies

                - steam or roast vegetables for side dishes

                - prepare a batch of rice, quinoa, lentils, sweet potatoes, or other starch of your choice

                - hard boil some eggs

                - prepare easy quick breakfast foods like an egg bake or overnight oats

                - wash lettuce for salads

                - make salad dressing for the week

 4. At least once per month, I set aside several hours to do a huge prep and freeze session. I make several large batches of meals that will freeze well, and then I have a freezer stocked with ready-to-go meals! If you would rather, you can choose at least one meal that will freeze well and make extra during your weekly meal prep. Examples include chili, turkey meatballs, enchiladas, crockpot meals, etc. If I know we’re going to have a busy week, I include some frozen meals in our schedule so even on nights I cook, there is virtually no prep time. 

5. Mix it up!! Although I tend to eat a lot of the same foods in any given week (I'm all about leftovers!) I make sure to change it up the next week so I don't get bored with the same foods. 

Proper nutrition is vital not only for weight loss, but for long term health. If you get these steps down, you'll be off to a good start! It might seem a little tedious in the beginning, but with practice it will become second nature. Believe me, it's worth the effort to create a system because it will save you tons of time in the long run!

Interested in giving these tips a shot?? Submit this form to receive my free 7-Day Meal Plan, including schedule, recipes, grocery list and prepping guide!