If your first thought about meal prep Sundays is a nightmare of macros and identical Tupperware containers filled with a boring mix of chicken, rice, and broccoli—stop right there. Remember, today is supposed to be a relaxing day. This is light meal prep that isn't hours long. This is just a few simple tasks.
Maybe you’re a parent whose days are all-out until bedtime. Or you want to have easy food on hand for lunch, instead of heading for fast food. Whatever your weekday challenge, here are a few game-changer meal prep ideas that will lighten the load mid-week:
Wash and prep your produce.
For many, the main barrier to eating more fruit and veg is the preparation time. Which is why washing and then pre-cutting your produce in one fell swoop can not only reduce how long it takes to make a meal, but it also subconsciously makes it seem that much easier to reach for a handful of washed berries rather than a handful of candies.
Batch cook a few easy ingredients.
Try cooking a big pot of rice or another nutritious grain, roasting a whole bunch of carrots, or steaming a couple heads of broccoli. Even if this is as close to meal prep as you get, it certainly helps lessen the load later in the week.
Marinate a protein.
Whether it's tofu, chicken breasts, or ribs, protein gets a boost when it's given the proper time to marinate. It only takes moments to throw a few ingredients into a bag and toss with your protein of choice. By the time dinner comes around later in the week, your chicken or tofu will be ten times better than if you'd left it plain.
Plan for leftovers.
If you’re cooking dinner on Sunday (when you have a bit more time to spare for the dinner schedule), why not double or triple the recipe to ensure you have plenty of leftovers for the weekdays to come? Your future self will thank you.
4. Do One Thing That Feels Good in Your Body