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Meal prep can sometimes feel like it takes hours, and eating the same meal each day can get boring fast. That’s where ingredient prep might be a better option. Instead of prepping full meals, you can prep ingredients that you can use in many different ways. Think chopped veggies, cooked grains, or flavorful proteins that you can mix and match all week! It takes a short amount of time and is ideal for those looking to eat healthy meals without needing to take a day to cook it all. Let’s see why ingredient prep might be the way to go! Here are a few of my go-to ingredient preps for the week! 

Eggs 

Hard boiling a batch of eggs makes it easy to have a protein source ready to go. Whether you enjoy them on their own as a snack or toss them into salads, sandwiches, or on toast with avocado, the possibilities are endless!

Grains 

Cooking up a big batch of your favorite grain is an easy way to complete a meal. Add it to a grain bowl or making a hearty salad. My favorite is making a taco bowl with brown rice, peppers and chicken then topping it with some salsa and avocado, it’s the perfect meal! Another one, is cooking up a box of pasta and finding different ways to eat it throughout the week. Maybe one night it’s marinara or pesto, and the next night a nice pasta salad!

Lean meat 

Prepping a big batch of protein can make mealtime a breeze! Try cooking up a few chicken breasts at the beginning of the week and shredding it. You can add it to a sandwich, or keep it whole to slice it for rice bowls or with a side of potatoes. Try cooking up some ground turkey with taco seasoning and make a taco salad or throw it in a tortilla with some cheese for a delicious quesadilla.  

Veggies

Roasting a mix of vegetables makes hitting your daily veggie goals easy and delicious! My favorite way to prepare vegetables is throwing peppers, zucchini and green beans into the air fryer until crispy. You no longer need to spend time chopping and preparing, just grab them straight from the fridge! 

Meal prepping your ingredients doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. By cooking proteins, grains, and vegetables in advance, you set yourself up for easy, healthy meals all week long.

Written by GUADS member Emma