Meal prep tips/ ideas

carlom18

hi guys

Im about to start prepping meals come this weekend so i can free time during the week and spend it doing things I like and uni work and will allow me to keep to a strict healthy diet under times of stress
I was just wondering what foods are best when prepping meals that can last 3 days in the fridge, minimum in a container.
So was just wondering for food ideas and any tips when prepping meals days in advanced or even better, for an entire week

thanks

Lizzy622

Most Chili tastes even better when it stays in the fridge. I use several different recipes and vary meat (chicken, beef, pork) depending on what is on sale or just go vegetarian. Stew is another versatile dish that is usually better the second time around.

FancyPantsFran

I usually do two days at a time ... I made 2 large salads and put them in a container.... I like tomatoes but them in a separate container so they don't make the salad greens slimy. I also use them for lunch and dinner. I also get brown rice chicken breast and any veggies I want to add... and make a healthy version of a stir fry. You can use them for lunch or dinner. This week I also made a huge batch of turkey chili .We ate half for dinner and I portioned the rest of it into once cup servings and froze them in freezer bags. I can pop them out of the freezer and throw in the microwave anytime. Hope this helps.

albertine58

egg scrambles actually hold up for a week in the fridge, and to me they still taste freshly made! I like them with zucchini + mushrooms

I know lots of people make batch meals in the slow cooker- I've heard chicken breasts and a jar of salsa works great.
You can definitely make a week's worth of chicken or fish- if you make extra chicken it freezes well.

I like to make a week's worth of quinoa and/or lentils, plus a mix of roasted veggies. Some veggies are better freshly roasted if you want them crispy (like green beans, cauliflower) so I'll wash and chop them but leave them raw, and then on weeknights I can just throw them on a cookie sheet with 0.5 tbsp olive oil and roast while I'm doing something else. Quinoa, lentils + roasted veggies is a staple lunch or dinner for me!

waltersro2012

Bacon, boiled eggs, chicken breast, pork chop. I cook these and cut them into bit size pieces. Also, cut up tomatoes, onions and a head of lettuce. Put them in their own zip lock bags and you have breakfast and lunch for a couple of days.

FITnFIRM4LIFE

I bought a bunch of containers(cheap) and 1 day a week I prep several meals ,snacks etc-
Like portion veggies and snacks all in containers, so can grab and go. I boil a dozen eggs and make a turkey meatloaf and portion out for week. I also do a soup, chili etc and portion for week.
If you get some chicken cook it up and portion in freezer bags and take out and eat. I like to cook it in crockpot and shred it and portion it up for ;taco's or anything. rotissare chicken is an easy way to slice and portion too.

Also do a week of oatmeal and put in fridge, rice ,sides etc.

Good luck;-) It is a lot of work the day you do it, but, your glad to just grab all your meals when they are done.

here are a few good sites

http://www.self.com/fooddiet/2012/02/cook-once-eat-healthy-all-week

http://www.greenplaterule.com/health-nutrition/sunday-night-prep-to-eat-clean-all-week/

http://www.mlive.com/food/index.ssf/2011/10/file_this_post_under_awesome_p.html

carlom18

thanks for the ideas guys, will definately try these!

from reading so far i see it is safe to freeze food once cooked like chicken, rice and veges and other meats too, and im guessing you can freeze em for at least a week and reheat in microwave.

FITnFIRM4LIFE

Yes, you can freeze them a week and longer. Just heat and eat :-)

mfoulkebrown

Soups are my favorite make ahead meal. They freeze or refridgerate well and taste better after a few days in the fridge. Most broth based or vegetable soups are low calorie.

I usually make a big pot of soup every weekend and eat it with lunch or pair it with something and serve for dinner.

YengDizon

I recently tried meal preps. Would love to know what you think about what I did here http://healthylivying.wordpress.com/2014/07/03/meal-prep-red-fried-rice-broccoli-pork-adobo/

YengDizon

I recently tried meal preps. Would love to know what you think about what I did here healthylivying.wordpress.com/2014/06/29/meal-prep-first-timer/

maryjay52

per my trainer's advice, i cook up boneless skinless chicken breast and fish , weigh out the meat, whole grain and vegetable ..package each meal individually and throw it in the freezer .. some chicken i cube up and keep in a container in the fridge for throwing on a salad ..