Meal Preparation (and cleanup) is of then the most discouraging part of a healthier lifestyle.  We run out of time, life happens, or we just get lazy and don’t want to do it anymore.  Here are some of my best tips for making Meal Prep a little bit easier!

1. Buy Pre Cut, Pre Washed, Frozen, and Prepared Food

This is contrary to what all of the budget people tell you but this is about making life easier.  I also think you will SAVE money in the long run because if you buy pre cut, pre washed, and prepared food then you won’t buy expensive takeout meals which are often good for 1-2 servings.  Even with prepared foods they are still much cheaper than expensive take out and certainly more nutrient dense than fast food!

Places to try:

Trader Joes has great Pre Cut and Pre Washed Food.  They also have great prepared grilled Chicken that you can use to put on salads or to put in stir frys or sandwiches.

Costco is also great for the frozen protein, prepared food (Rotisserie Chicken, Poke, Salads, etc.)

Whole Foods but it’s expensive

2. Make a big batch of protein 1-2 times per week

You can make your own shredded chicken to use throughout the week by slow cooking chicken breasts for a few hours and then shredding it from there.  You can make a big batch to grab and go during the week.

Shredded Chicken

Sometimes I like to make big batches of soup and that is an easy lunch or dinner throughout the week…especially when I know I am going to be busy during the week.

3. Use a Meal Delivery Service

If you have the budget, then I think this is a great investment in yourself.

There are meal delivery services that deliver fresh meals to people and this can often save you money in the long run because it is cheaper than eating out at restaurants.  There are also lots of options.  I’ve had clients that do the Zone diet, there are vegan/vegetarian options, those focused more on a bodybuilding diet, etc.  Find what works for you!

Meal Kits like Blue Apron are also awesome to liven things up in your kitchen and make life more exciting in the kitchen.  Part of the reason meal preparation is a drag is because we are eating the same old BORING foods in the same old BORING way.  Preparing and eating new recipes are a great way to get reinvigorated to get back in the kitchen.

4.  Establish a routine and get into the rhythm

A great tip from one of the women who did one of my challenge groups.  She got into the routine of cooking her food early in the morning before work because otherwise it wouldn’t get done.  It became apart of her routine such as making coffee.

Here’s what she said:

Clean and Cook Veggies in the morning because otherwise it doesn’t get done.  If Morning doesn’t work, then do it in the evening while you’re cooking, fill your ziploc bags with veggies, and there you have veggies ready for the next day.  That way you don’t feel like you’re doing extra tasks. – Antoinette

Once you have a routine, then you’ll establish a rhythm and meal prep will be as second nature as brushing your teeth.

5. Get Over It

In this society, we want everything to be easy without any work.

Anything worth having is worth working for.  You’re going to have to get over it.  Leading a healthy lifestyle means that you ARE going to have to put in work.  It means you may have to prepare food ahead of time, spend an hour cooking your food instead of being on Facebook, or deciding to invest in a meal prep service.

Investing in yourself and your health takes money.  It never ceases to amaze me when people do not see the value in investing themselves, but have no problem spending money elsewhere.  What bigger investment do you have than in your health and wellbeing.