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Do you like the idea of saving time and having pre-made lunches for work every day? However, do you know how to create an easy lunch ideas meal prep? It is as easy as 1-2-3. You just have to follow these six simple steps.
Easy Lunch Ideas Meal Prep
If you are like most business owners, you probably have limited time in your day to grocery shop, cook and clean up. And if you have young children, planning healthy food choices may be getting harder every day. However, there is hope. I can help you plan nutritious meals and snacks, along with some easy lunch ideas to prep at the beginning of each week. I can teach you how to meal prep on a budget that fits within your tight schedule and family issues.
Preparing quick and delicious meals 3 times a day might seem impossible with everything else you have going on in your life! But by using some simple tips and by planning ahead, you’ll be blown away by how easy cooking delicious food can be.
Make-ahead meals will
and time, plus you’ll be able to keep your diet under control and avoid eating unhealthy food.
And to help you get started, I put together an inspiring list of meal prep ideas that you can cook in less than 30 minutes on a lazy Sunday.
Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be amazed at how easy this is, and you’ll just ask yourself why you didn’t do this sooner!
HOW TO MEAL PREP: TIPS TO GET STARTED
1. Make A plan
Decide what you are going to cook ahead of time. Pick all the recipes you want to cook for the week, and put together a grocery shopping list. I would suggest you start with 2-3 recipes per week. It’s nice to have variety, but it also takes a lot more time to cook different meals, especially if you are just starting out!
2. Multi-Task
Cook multiple things at once! You can actually bake chicken while roasting your veggies at the same time. This will really help you to get things done much faster.
3. Use Mason Jars
First of all, they look beautiful (I know, I do love pretty things!), but they are also very practical. They are cheap, microwave-safe (remove the lid!), and perfect for storing salads. Put the dressing on the bottom and the leaves at the top, so nothing gets soggy, and your salad will remain crispy for hours.
4. Don’t meal prep too many meals
Don’t meal prep more than 5 days worth of food. Most of the food you will prep won’t last more than 3 days in the fridge, so make sure you freeze the rest.
Remove the meal from the freezer the night before you will eat it and leave it to defrost in the refrigerator. This will avoid germs and bacteria getting in your food.
5. Use the right containers
for healthy meals are made of glass. I prefer them to plastic containers for several reasons:
- You can see what’s in them easily.
- They can be used in microwaves.
- They won’t alter the taste of food, even if it’s left in there for a few days.
- When warming up your food, glass containers won’t release any chemicals at the hot temperature as plastic containers can.
If you do pick plastic containers, make sure they are BPA-free.
6. Keep your goal in mind
I am a big fan of having goals. They really help you to achieve results. Whether you are trying to save money, simply eat healthy food or lose weight, keep in mind why you are meal prepping! You’ll be less keen to opt for a takeout meal!
If you plan your meals for the week, you’ll stop panicking about what to eat for dinner every night. And you will finally start developing healthy eating habits that will help you start enjoying your food every day and save money!
My Top Choice For Healthy Meal Prep Recipes
And here you can find my favorite quick and easy meal prep recipes! All these meal prep recipes will be ready in 30 minutes or less and are perfect for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
No matter what you love, there are some simple and yummy ideas for you: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and some for meat lovers!
1. Hot Lunch Ideas
Look forward to your hot lunch all morning long! From stir fries to meal prep bowls to meatballs and more, these meal prep ideas each have a healthy grain, protein and plenty of vegetables. Reheat in the microwave and enjoy!
How to meal prep – Cook and portion out into meal prep containers. Check recipe directions for whether sauce can be added immediately or must be stored separately.
How to store– I highly recommend these 2 cup meal prep containers. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
How to serve– heat in the microwave until steaming hot and enjoy!
2. Cold lunches
With healthy grains, vegetables and proteins, these meal prep salads are perfect for lunch. Making them ahead will ensure that you get an extra serving of veggies in your day! From meal prep bowls to jar salads, these recipes all look tasty and easy to prep.
How to meal prep – Cook and portion out into meal prep containers or jars. For jar salads, ensure that the dressing and heartier ingredients go at the bottom of the jar, and layer up placing delicate ingredients at the top. Make sure crispy ingredients + avocados are stored separately until you are ready to serve.
How to store– Some options for storing salads include:
- these 2 cup meal prep containers
- store in 1 pint mason jars, then dump into a clean bowl to toss everything up in the dressing.
How to serve– for meal prep containers, mix everything up with the dressing and enjoy. For jar salads, dump it out into a clean bowl so the dressing covers all the ingredients evenly.
3. Soups
During the cold winter months and even sometimes in the summer, soups are on my meal plan for lunch! They are a great way to squeeze in extra veggies.
How to meal prep – Cook a big batch ahead and portion out through the week. Leftovers can often be frozen for long-term storage.
How to store – Some options for storing soup include:
- these 20 oz meal mugs from Corningware (though they must be kept upright during transportation)
- store in 1 pint mason jars, then reheat in bowls in the microwave
- this super popular Crock Pot lunch warmer, which plugs in and heats your food (great for teachers or anyone without a microwave)
- this 24 oz thermos, which is perfect for soup
How to serve– bring crackers or your favorite soup dipper!
