How to become a successful Meal Prepper!

Meal prepping is so essential for a number of reasons! Typically is overlooked or not done consistently because it takes time, requires pre planning, and sometimes people just don’t know what to make. When you see someone in the gym that you look at and think wow they look fit and amazing! I can almost guarantee their “secret” is staying consistent with their diet. The person that you see in the gym week after week, looking the same they did 3 years ago is likely based on they maybe do not take what they eat into account as much as they could be doing to reach optimal results! The best way to do this is preparing your meals ahead of time for many reasons:

1. ) Saves money! Less stops to Chik-Fil-a when you have something already in the fridge

2.) Properly fuels your body for your workouts

3.) You know exactly what you are eating/putting in your body. Allows for the ability to divide carbs, fats, protein…to make sure you are getting enough of each!

4.) You are less likely to over eat and helps you meet your fitness goals.

5.) Huge time saver

LETS GET STARTED!

STEP 1: Purchase meal prep containers, I bought mine at amazon. Also if you don’t have a crockpot i recommend getting one.

STEP 2: PLAN AHEAD!! Decide the day you will buy your groceries, prepare your food, and what meals you want to make…have a list ready!

STEP 3: Don’t be afraid of variety- plain chicken breast and broccoli will burn you out quickly, leading you to open up the pantry because your taste buds aren’t satisfied. Incorporate sauces, seasonings, lemon juice, or olive oil to jazz up your veggies/meats. MY go to sauces: Buffalo sauce for shredded crock pot chicken, stir fry sauce, reduced sugar ketchup, mustard. Cook things you actually like!

**TIP** Start cooking all of your meats! While they are cooking- cut up your fruits and veggies that ill be snacking on, and using in my meals….

Eliminate stress by preparing a head of time, change is RIGHT around the corner all you have to do is DECIDE to turn it! Persistence eventually delivers!

Here are 20 easy recipes and meal/snack ideas for your first weekly food prep day. Remember don’t do them all. Pick 1 or 2. Then the next week add on another one and so on. Do what you can. Always keep in mind even a little food prep is better than nothing.

Breakfast

Steel cut oats
Smoothie kits
Blueberry Overnight Oats
Banana and Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Burritos

Greek Quinoa Breakfast Bowls

Ham and Cheese Quinoa Egg Bake

Lunch

Greek Mason Jar Salad
Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella, and Pasta Mason Jar Salad
No Mayo Tuna Salad

Make-ahead salad bar

Snacks

Hardboiled eggs – these last all week. Also, you can whip up a quick no mayo egg salad too if you want.
Almonds – portion out into ¼ cup bags
Veggies snack packs – these last all week. Use whatever vegetable you like.
Cut up some cheese
Put together a refrigerator snack kit. This is very helpful for my family. I place all the snack options into a removable drawer in the fridge.
Wash and cut up fruit for snacks

Dinner

Shredded chicken meal starter – this can be used in ANY recipe that calls for basic shredded chicken. And it’s made in the slow cooker!
Sweet and spicy shredded pork – This can easily be prepped the night before for the slow cooker.
Cut up peppers, onions, or other vegetables to be recipe ready
Taco meat
Cut up chicken to be recipe ready
Meatballs Subs