Meal prep is an essential part of living a healthy lifestyle. But, it can sometimes be tedious and time consuming. To help make meal prep easy, I’m sharing my top healthy meal prep ideas.
Each of these recipes is delicious and healthy yet simple enough even for lazy girls. If you want to stick to your healthy meal plan, be prepared, and do it easily, then follow my top meal prep ideas!
Healthy Breakfast Meal Prep Ideas
3 Ingredient Pancakes
I love having these healthy 3 ingredient pancakes. They feel like an indulging treat. But they’re actually healthy, simple, and great for making ahead.
Here’s what you need to make 1 serving:
- 1. medium banana, mushed
- 2. 1 tbsp coconut flour
- 3. 1 egg
All you need to do is whisk together the ingredients. Then, cook them in a pan over medium heat.
For meal prep, I recommend making enough pancakes for the week then storing them in the fridge. To warm them up, simply put them in the microwave for a few minutes then serve!
Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are a staple make ahead meal. I follow this easy recipe and they always turn out delicious.
To keep them interesting, there are a bunch of different healthy toppings you can add the morning you eat them including:
- – Berries
- – Extra honey
- – Shredded coconut
Veggie Egg Bake
If you prefer something savory for breakfast, then try making an egg bake with healthy veggies. I recommend baking it on the weekend then storing it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
I follow this recipe and add my own mix of fresh veggies. Spinach, tomato, and mushrooms are some of my favorites! But, you can add whatever veggies you want.
In the mornings, I top my slice with avocado for extra nutrition!
Chia Pudding
Chia seeds are loaded with so many health benefits. They’re high in amino acids, fiber, and protein. All of which are super important for living a healthy life.
This chia seed pudding recipe has only 3 ingredients and is perfect for making ahead of time.
Lunch and Dinner Ideas
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
These slow cooker chicken tacos are one of my favorite make ahead meals of all time. And, probably one of my favorite meals in general. Not just because they taste amazing, but they’re also simple and require very few ingredients.
I prepare a large batch of chicken then make tacos throughout the week. For healthy toppings, I like:
- – Avocado
- – Lettuce
- – Tomato
- – Cilantro
Then, I wrap it up in a whole grain tortilla! You can also try making a chicken taco salad.
Plant-Based Chili
Chili is one of the easiest and most practical make ahead meals. Because, you can make a big batch then store it for up to a week in the fridge or months in the freezer.
I prefer to make a plant-based chili, but you could also make a chicken, turkey, or beef chili.
Chicken or Vegetable Curry
Curry is tasty, comforting, and packed with so many wellness benefits. It’s also a dish that looks complicated to make but is seemingly easy.
I make a big batch of chicken and veggie curry then eat it throughout the week. I’ll add:
- – Bell peppers
- – Mushrooms
- – Carrots
- – Eggplant
- – Broccoli
Basically, whatever veggies are available in your fridge can get thrown into the curry!
Simple Salmon Cakes
If you’re someone who loves salmon but hates how quickly it goes bad, then this recipe is for you.
With this recipe, you get the salmon you love but it in a longer-lasting cake form. They’re great for eating at home or on the go.
Rice and Bean Stuffed Bell Peppers
Sometimes I fill a casserole dish with stuffed bell peppers and then I get an entire week’s worth of meals cooked at once!
In addition to rice and beans, you can also try filling your peppers with:
- – A lean protein or protein sausage
- – Extra veggies
- – Vegan or low-fat cheese
Detox Lentil Soup
Sometimes I pull out my stock pot and make a huge batch of this lentil soup. And, my family knows that when I pull that stock pot out, that we’re eating the same thing for the entire week!
Lentils are loaded with fiber. Fiber helps optimize the amount of healthy bacteria in your gut. Having a healthy gut is directly correlated with having a healthy weight.
Loaded Quinoa Salad
Most lettuce-based salads tend to spoil very quickly. On the other hand, quinoa salads tend to stay fresher for longer.
I call this recipe a “loaded” quinoa salad because I usually just chop up whatever veggies I have/want and add them to the quinoa. My favorites to add are:
- – Cucumbers
- – Tomatoes
- – Bell peppers
- – Arugula
Then, I simply top it with olive oil and lemon. Feel free to make your salad however you want!
Healthy Snack and Dessert Meal Prep Ideas
Guacamole and Whole Grain Tortilla Chips
I have never met a guacamole that I didn’t like! Not just because it’s tasty, but because it’s simple to make ahead and then pop out of the fridge whenever I’m hungry.
Hummus and Pita or Veggies
I have hummus on-hand in my fridge at all times. I’ll usually dip either carrots or pita into it for an afternoon snack.
Most people tend to buy pre-made hummus from the store. But, oftentimes it’s loaded with preservatives and unhealthy ingredients. Thankfully, hummus is simple to make at home if you follow this recipe.
Granola Energy Balls
These granola balls are great for either a snack or treat! There are many recipes out there but I personally love this one. It has some of my favorite ingredients including:
- – Honey
- – Flaxseeds
- – Coconut
Seasoned Kale Chips
Having a difficult time getting enough greens every day? If so, try these kale chips!
They’re so easy: All you need to do is drizzle some fresh kale with olive oil and salt, then bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. Once they’re finished, you can season them with anything from:
- – Nutritional yeast (gives them a cheesy flavor)
- – Garlic salt
- – Chili powder
Final Thoughts on Make Ahead Meals
In life, being prepared is one of the main keys to success. And, that is especially true when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle!
Thankfully, all of these make ahead meals help you get prepared without taking up too much time. You can stick to your healthy meal plan without putting in hours of work with these easy make ahead recipes!
