Are you looking for a way to make eating healthier easier for you? Meal prep ahead of time really helps make it easier to make healthy choices and eat a more balanced diet, save time and make the most of your day. These simple tricks will help you with meal prep and make eating healthy with your busy schedule easier than ever. These simple meal prep ideas will help you eat healthy no matter how busy you are.
Overnight oats
Overnight oats are a quick and easy breakfast option that can be made in advance. Mix together rolled oats, milk, and any toppings of your choice, such as nuts, seeds, fruits, or honey, and leave it in the fridge overnight.
In the morning when you are ready to eat it, you will have a delicious and healthy breakfast ready to go. You can eat these cold or simply heat up your jar in the microwave for a hot breakfast ready to go with you.
Mason jar salads
Mason jar salads are a great lunch option for those who are always on the go or simply need a grab-and-go lunch or snack option. You can prepare these salads in advance by layering your ingredients in a jar.
Start with your dressing at the bottom, then add your grains, protein, and veggies. When it’s time for lunch, simply shake the jar.
If you do not want to mix your dressing right in you can use the cups from disposable fruit cups to hold your dressing separately from your salad simply drop it on top facing up and attach the lid. This fits perfectly in a standard regular mouth jar.
A few things we love in mason jars are:
Sheet pan dinners
Sheet pan dinners are a lifesaver when you’re short on time. Toss your protein of choice and veggies of choice onto a sheet pan, season it with some herbs and spices, and roast it in the oven. Sheet pan dinners are easy to customise, and you can make large batches to have leftovers for the week.
This is a great way to use up boneless skinless chicken breasts for an easy and healthy meal with some fresh vegetables, maybe some potatoes, and your favourite seasoning combinations. You can have a complete meal in one pan.
Three sheet pan dinners you might like are:
Slow cooker meals
A slow cooker can be your best friend when it comes to preparing healthy meals ahead of time. Slow cooker meals are one of the easiest ways to make healthy meals in bulk.
Simply toss your ingredients into the slow cooker, set it on low, and let it cook for several hours. Slow-cooker meals are great for busy weekdays, and you can make a variety of dishes, such as soups, stews, and curries.
I love to prepare these meals in large ziplock bags and toss them right from the freezer to the slow cooker to ensure that you have plenty of easy grab-and-cook meals to make dinner that much easier.
This way you can prepare weeks of meals in one go and just start one every morning in the slow cooker so you come home to a fresh hot meal.
Check out my most popular slow cooker recipes.
Snack packs
Snack packs are a great way to have healthy snacks on hand when you’re on the go. You can prepare these snack packs in advance by portioning out your favourite snacks, such as fruits, veggies, nuts, or cheese, into small containers or bags.
Keep these snack packs in your bag or at your desk for when you need a quick and healthy snack. Keep a few options on hand that you can grab from the refrigerator with things like carrot sticks and hard-boiled eggs as well as some pantry-safe options that will still be good later in the day like homemade trail mix. This is much healthier and cheaper than hitting the vending machine.
If you are looking for dip ideas to enjoy with them then check out my healthy easy dip recipes.
Protein balls
Protein balls are a healthy snack that can be made in advance and stored in the fridge or freezer. All you need to do is mix together your favourite protein powder, nut butter, oats, and sweetener of your choice, roll them into balls, and chill.
Protein balls are a great source of energy and can help curb your hunger cravings. These are great snacks you can make ahead and store off to the side to snack on when you are ready.
Similar recipes can be found here in my homemade granola bar ideas.
Smoothie bags
Smoothie bags are a great way to make healthy smoothies without having to chop up all your ingredients every time. Simply portion out your favourite fruits and veggies into bags and store them in the freezer.
When you’re ready to make a smoothie, toss a bag into your blender, add some liquid, and blend them for quick and easy smoothies. Add a couple of scoops of protein powder to turn them into a meal.
Meal prepping is a great tool for helping to make your day easier and make it easier to eat better but you may find that some things work better for you than others. Experiment and see what you prefer.
