I mentioned in my last post that we are working on cleaning up our eating a bit as I think a lot of people try to do this time of year. Today I’m sharing with you 5 Easy Meal Prep Ideas that you can throw together in almost no time and be set for the week! I can’t tell you how much easier this makes mornings and staying on track!
A long time ago I heard someone say that “if you fail to plan, plan to fail” and this seriously couldn’t;t be more true for me. I am the type of person that needs organization. I make a list for just about everything. I’ve shared some great meal prep ideas in the past that you can check out HERE and some more DIY Bistro Box Ideas HERE. When I have things planned out like this I am never worrying about grabbing something unhealthy just because nothing else is available. I’ve found these Meal Plan Prep Ideas to come in very handy for my husband too! Win win!
So things that really help me is sitting down on a Saturday or Sunday and get to planning! I search some of my favorite blogs or Pinterest to get my brain thinking and come up with some ideas that’ll work for both my hubby and I . Besides these lunch containers I do plan my dinners ahead of time. When you can let meals play double duty! For example, that awesome Chickpea Cauliflower Curry I shared the other day… well that was dinner one night and lunch the next day just with a different veggie.
I also LOVE the convenience of a store bought roasted chicken! In this box I have simple steamed green beans that are seasoned with a little salt, pepper, garlic powder and a dip of olive oil. I also roasted sliced fingerling potatoes with a little olive oil and Italian seasoning. Hint hint… make enough veggies that you can use them for a couple meals! The protein here is just a skin removed chicken breast with a little BBQ sauce on it. Easy and delicious!
Next up I pull the thigh meat off that same store bought roasted chicken and serve it over a little rice and topped with fresh salsa. Some simple sautéed zucchini to finish it off. I hate waste so always use the remaining chicken- bones and all to make a nice homemade chicken broth. You can freeze it and is great to have on hand! This Italian Tomato Zucchini Soup is one of my favorites and is easy to make too!
I think this next one is my hubby favorite! A healthy Greek inspired salad. Chopped romaine lettuce, diced chicken breast from that store bought chicken, sliced red onion, sliced cucumbers, diced tomato, a few kalamata olives and a little feta. The least healthy part of this is the feta and olives so just don’t go overboard with it and you are good! The dressing is really simple- a little olive oil, fresh squeezed lemon juice, salt, pepper and dried oregano.
Another no cook lunch! A whole bunch of chopped romaine, a hard boiled egg, a little feta, a couple slices of turkey and ham with some diced tomato. I used a light caesar dressing for this simple salad. The great thing- besides that this is so easy to make is that its filling.
Really nothing fancy here but I am sharing this sandwich to show you that you don’t have to cut anything out completely. A simple swap for a big Italian sub, I used a whole grain bagel thin to make this sandwich. If you are just dying for some pasta… there are some amazing whole grain pastas available- even chickpea and rice pastas. Its all about making small changes.
How great is that- you put in a little thought, some planning, prep everything ahead of time and all you need to do is grab and go!! I hope these 5 Easy Meal Prep Ideas help you out as much as they are helping us!
Debra C.
So smart! I make lunches for both of us, but haven’t (previously!) thought ahead like this. Excellent ideas and suggestions. Love that you use a rotisserie chicken too. Delicious AND a great time saver!
Angela LeMoine
I’m glad you think they could be helpful!! They truly make my mornings so much easier not having to worry about my hubby and myself while getting the kids ready for school
Michaela Kenkel
This post is so helpful!! Trying really hard to eat better and planning makes a HUGE difference!!
Angela LeMoine
Michaela, thank you so much! Its a game changer for staying on track
Sandra Shaffer
Great choices here! I love salads, so that Greek inspired one is calling my name. I also love buying pre-cooked chicken. It can really go far like you show, but especially when you make chicken broth with the bones!
Angela LeMoine
I think the Greek one was my favorite too! The simple lemon dressing is so nice and bright!
Deanna
I need to do this! It the one thing I never do is meal prep and I really do need to 🙂 These great ideas!!!
Angela LeMoine
They are really great and simple Deanna! Super helpful for us to stay on track!
Christie
These ideas are so awesome! And I love those containers! So easy to portion control for lunch.
Angela LeMoine
Thank you!! the containers are super helpful for sure!
Madi
These are such awesome ideas! I’m all for meal prepping!