Meal Prep for People Who Hate Meal Prep

Let’s be honest—meal prep isn’t everyone’s favorite Sunday activity. Maybe you’ve tried it before and felt overwhelmed. Maybe the idea of eating the same thing all week makes your appetite vanish. Or maybe your schedule just doesn’t allow for 3 hours in the kitchen.

Good news: you don’t need to prep like a pro to eat better. You just need a system that works for you.

The Myths of Meal Prep

Let’s bust some common misconceptions:

• You don’t need matching containers.

• You don’t have to prep full meals.

• You don’t have to be a great cook.

Meal prep can be flexible, low-maintenance, and even enjoyable—if you approach it differently.

A New Way to Think About It and not hate meal prep

1. Batch One Thing Cook a large portion of one item you know you’ll eat: grilled chicken, roasted sweet potatoes, stir-fried veggies, seasoned ground turkey. That one batch can serve as your “base” for different meals.

2. Prep with a Purpose Instead of prepping 10 meals, prep just your hardest meal of the day (like breakfast or lunch). If dinner is usually manageable, skip it!

3. Use a “Mix and Match” System Pick 3 proteins, 3 carbs, 3 veggies, and 2 sauces each week. Combine them in different ways to avoid boredom without cooking every day.

   Example:

   • Proteins: Chicken, tofu, eggs

   • Carbs: Rice, sweet potatoes, oats

   • Veggies: Broccoli, spinach, bell peppers

   • Sauces: Sriracha, hummus

4. Stock “Emergency Food” Have grab-and-go staples on hand: hard-boiled eggs, protein shakes, Greek yogurt, tuna packets, microwavable rice, bagged salad kits.

Don’t Forget the Fast Wins

Some of the best meal prep strategies take under 5 minutes:

• Overnight oats (make 3 jars at once)

• Pre-made smoothie bags (fruit, greens, protein powder)

• DIY snack boxes (veggies + hummus, cheese + nuts, apple + peanut butter)

The real goal? Make eating healthy the easy choice, not the perfect one.

Do you still hate meal prep and want a sample plan with your macros and lifestyle in mind? Shoot me a message and we’ll build one together that fits your schedule and tastes.