I hope my friends in the US had a healthy and happy Thanksgiving. With that big meal (and hopefully the leftovers, too) behind us, it can benefit us to think about how we can plan our meals to make the rest of this year a bit easier amid the holiday chaos.
Picture this: No more frantic, last-minute decisions about what to eat—no more succumbing to the siren call of unhealthy takeout after a long day. Instead, envision a life where your meals are planned and prepped, aligning with your fitness goals and lifestyle—no matter how busy you are!
I used to think that meal prep was for those other people who have their life together—really together. You know the type; they make their bed daily, wouldn't dream of letting the dust settle on the baseboards, and handcraft Pinterest-worthy decorations for parties. In other words, people who are nothing like me.
I was wrong. Meal prep doesn't necessarily mean spending an entire afternoon cooking seven perfectly portioned chicken breast and steamed broccoli (read: bland) meals frozen in plastic containers like those social media moms would have you believe. It doesn't mean preparing the same healthy food (you don't love it) for seven days straight.
I thought meal planning was another activity to add to my ever-growing list of things to do; what I missed was it reduced stress in the week and made things easier in the long run. When I did a little planning and prep up front, I could reach for healthy foods more conveniently instead of hitting the drive-through or ordering takeout whenever I was too tired to cook (aka all the time).
Meal planning and prep can be as simple as cooking protein (such as chicken or turkey) in bulk for the week. It can mean getting a healthy meal delivery service, buying a rotisserie chicken and frozen veggies from the grocery store to use throughout the week, or doubling up on a dinner recipe so you have leftovers for lunch the next day. It doesn't have to be time-consuming or complicated; it just takes a bit of planning.
Meal planning and prepping is a habit and a skill. Is it your routine to plan meals or grab fast food on the go? Do you often feel too tired to think about it and want it to be easy? Do you have good intentions about eating healthy meals, but life gets busy, and you lack the energy? Join the club!
Developing the habits and skills around meal prep and planning will help you make eating healthier easier in the long run!
Meal Planning:
Set Realistic Goals:
Start small. Most people will get overwhelmed if they try to plan out every meal in advance for the next seven days. Perhaps start with planning healthy breakfasts. Remember our protein lesson? Can you hard boil some eggs or prepare overnight oats with Greek yogurt to make a protein-rich breakfast easier? Small steps are the best way to move forward. Once breakfast prep is a habit, begin thinking about lunch or dinner.
Create a Weekly Schedule:
Loosely plan your meals for the week ahead to reduce the stress of deciding what to eat daily. Cultivate a habit of spending ten minutes and making a rough draft for the upcoming week. It doesn't have to be perfect or exact, but mapping out a generalized plan can go a long way.
Balanced Meals:
Aim for balanced macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) in each meal. Start by asking yourself, what will my protein be for the meal? How can I add veggies, whole grains, and healthy fats?
Snack Smart:
Plan for healthy snacks to curb hunger between meals. Opt for options like fruits, portioned nuts, yogurt, cut-up veggies, homemade granola, or protein balls, so you're not heading to the vending machine to satisfy your cravings.
TIME-SAVING MEAL PREP
Batch Cooking:
Try cooking a couple of pounds of chicken (or your choice of protein) at once. I like to shred and use it in meals all week, such as salads, bowls (think Chipotle burrito bowls made at home), wraps, tacos, or sandwiches.
I like to boil chicken and shred it in the cake mixer while still warm. Use or freeze the leftovers.
Buy a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and use it in a couple meals for the week
Prep side dishes in advance:
Wash, peel, and chop vegetables in advance. Store them in airtight containers to quickly add them to salads, stir-fries, or omelets. (protip: buy pre-chopped veggies to save time)
Bake or boil potatoes for several meals at once.
Batch cook rice or quinoa in advance.
Plan for leftovers:
When cooking dinner, prepare extra portions in advance to help ensure you have healthy options available even on your busiest days. You and your family can eat leftovers for lunches or other meals.
Use meal delivery services:
You don't always need to do everything yourself. Research a healthy meal delivery service when you are too busy to prepare yourself.
https://www.freshnlean.com/fitness-meal-delivery/
https://www.factor75.com/pages/meal-delivery
Buy Frozen
Frozen meals, vegetables, stir-fry, and meats can be quick and healthier than fast food. Don't let perfect get in the way of good enough. Any better choice is to progress in the right direction.
Quick and Healthy Recipe Ideas:
Salad Jars:
Layer salads in mason jars for a portable, mess-free lunch. Include a variety of colorful vegetables, protein, and a healthy dressing.
Grilled Chicken and Veggies:
Marinate chicken breasts in advance, grill them, and pair them with roasted (or frozen mixed) vegetables for quick and nutritious dinners.
Overnight Oats:
Combine oats, Greek yogurt, and your choice of fruits in jars. Let them sit overnight for a ready-to-eat high-protein breakfast.
Stir-fry:
Batch prepare stir-fry with lean protein, vegetables, and a simple sauce. Serve over rice or quinoa.
Slow Cooker
Add meat, vegetables, and potatoes to a slow cooker in the morning to cook all day and then eat for several meals during the week. (Protip: if you get bored with the same meal multiple times in a row, freeze the extras and eat the following week instead of the next day's meal)
Smoothies:
Frozen mixed fruit and protein powder and blend with liquid for a quick breakfast. Get creative with ingredients; click on the image to view my blog post for more ideas.
No protein powder? Mix spinach, bananas, and plain Greek yogurt for a protein shake on the go.
Developing healthy eating habits and meal prep skills takes time, so start small and gradually incorporate these tips into your routine. Considering your current lifestyle, which of the above ideas is most practical to implement? Start with something so easy you can't fail, then build on your success. Try one strategy; if it doesn't work for you, move on and try something else, but smaller. There is no failure, only feedback. There are multiple ways to get it right! Adjust the plan as needed based on your preferences and lifestyle!
I’d love to hear about your meal prep ideas!
Lea
Did you like this post? Do you know someone who might benefit? It helps me when you share with your friends and followers.
Questions? I’d love to help.
