Learn to Meal Plan
It all started when…
I realized I had to cook food for myself in college once I moved off campus and I began to rethink the kinds of foods I really wanted to eat.
I grew up on mostly convenience foods, and while I loved them then, I’ve changed my preferences now. I’ve seen just how much better I feel and how fun it can be to cook and eat foods made with whole, fresh ingredients.
But when I had busy seasons (like working a job until 6 pm or being heavily involved in different activities after work), I realized I didn’t have the time or the patience to make a labor-intensive meal every evening.
Enter meal planning. I prep and cook when I have more time (like on a free week night or weekend afternoon) and reheat leftovers or assemble food and put on final touches during the week for quicker meals. Voila! Healthy, cost-effective, fast, and delicious food!
Whether you're meal prepping for a trip or for a week of normal life at home, you can save time, energy, and money with a good meal plan and some time prepping.
Why I Love Meal Planning & Prepping
I save money at the grocery store because I have a plan
I save time at the grocery store because I know what I’m looking for
I save time at home because I know what I’m going to make
I always have leftovers on hand for quick meals
It’s easy to stash extra servings in the freezer for fast meals on busy days
I waste less food because I can make a plan to use it all up
I can communicate my plan for the week with my husband so he knows what’s for dinner
I’m not stressed about what I’m going to make because I’ve already decided, shopped, and prepped food
Last-minute changes are easy because food is prepped ahead of time and often freezer-friendly
It’s easy to make food swaps and customize recipes, making it easy to make food I love with what I have
good meal prep recipes…
don’t have too many ingredients
don’t include any obscure ingredients you can’t easily find
can easily be adapted for what ingredients you have on hand or changed to meet dietary requirements
can easily be made ahead or frozen
have relatively little hands-on time to make
can be scaled up or down to make the right quantity for your family
keep well for at least four days
are full of good nutrients (protein, healthy fats, fruit and/or veggies) to both taste good and fill you up!
Favorite Meal Prep Recipes:
Breakfast:
Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats from Fit Foodie Finds
Protein Chia Pudding Cups from Fit Foodie Finds
Spinach Banana Pancakes from Nourish Move Love
Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal Cups from Ambitious Kitchen
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cups from Ambitious Kitchen
Sweet Potato, Black Bean, & Avocado Breakfast Burritos from Ambitious Kitchen
Feel-Good Apple Muffins from Pinch of Yum
Chunky Monkey Granola from Paleo Running Momma
Paleo Breakfast Meal Prep Bowls from Paleo Running Momma
Keto Blueberry Muffins from Paleo Running Momma
Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins from Paleo Running Momma
Loaded Paleo Breakfast Hash from Paleo Running Momma
One-Bowl Peanut Butter Protein Pancakes from Minimalist Baker
Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal from Minimalist Baker
Lunch & Dinner:
Cauliflower Tikka Masala bowls from Fit Foodie Finds
Crockpot Curry Chicken from Fit Foodie Finds
Grilled Shrimp Meal Bowls from Fit Foodie Finds
Crockpot Chicken Fajitas/Burrito Bowls from Nourish Move Love
Crunchy Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad from Ambitious Kitchen
Thai Coconut Curried Chicken & Rice from Ambitious Kitchen
Ginger Chicken Meatballs with Peanut Sauce from Ambitious Kitchen
Orange Chicken Stir Fry from Ambitious Kitchen
Easy Vegan Burrito Bowls from Pinch of Yum
Korean BBQ Style Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps from Pinch of Yum
Farmer’s Market Pasta with Walnut Pesto from Pinch of Yum
BBQ Salmon Bowls with Mango Avocado Salsa from Pinch of Yum
Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Garlic Cilantro Lime Slaw from Pinch of Yum
Vegan Sheet Pan Fajitas with Chipotle Queso from Pinch of Yum
One Skillet Greek Chicken from Paleo Running Momma
Paleo Taco Soup from Paleo Running Momma
Paleo Pesto Chicken Meatballs from Paleo Running Momma
Egg Roll in a Bowl from Paleo Running Momma
Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai with Chicken from Paleo Running Momma
Chinese Chicken Salad from Paleo Running Momma
Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad from Paleo Running Momma
Easy 1-Pot Tikka Masala from Minimalist Baker
One-Pan Mexican Shredded Chicken from Minimalist Baker
One-Pot Chickpea Tomato Peanut Stew from Minimalist Baker
Sheet Pan Meal: Curried Sweet Potato and Chickpeas from Minimalist Baker
Snacks & Desserts:
Apple Chai Energy Balls from Fit Foodie Finds
15 Healthy Packable Snacks from Nourish Move Love
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars from Ambitious Kitchen
5-Minute Protein Peanut Butter Energy Bites from Ambitious Kitchen
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies from Ambitious Kitchen
Sweet and Spicy Nut Mix from Ambitious Kitchen
Double Chocolate Truffles from Paleo Running Momma
Gingerbread Cookies from Paleo Running Momma
Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Cookies from Paleo Running Momma
Perfect Paleo Sugar Cookies from Paleo Running Momma
Samoa Cookie Bars from Paleo Running Momma
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream from Paleo Running Momma
Healthified Apple Crisp from Minimalist Baker
3-Ingredient Tropical Trail Mix from Minimalist Baker
No-Bake Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies from Minimalist Baker
4-Ingredient Easy Vegan Brownies from Minimalist Baker