Simple Meal Prep: How I Finally Stopped Ordering Takeout

My Meal Prep Struggles (and Why I Quit)

Okay, so, I’m going to be honest. Meal prepping used to feel like this giant, impossible task. I’d see all those perfectly organized containers on Instagram, filled with quinoa and grilled chicken, and think, “Yeah, that’s just not me.” I’m pretty sure I even tried it once, maybe twice? Ugh, what a mess! I spent an entire Sunday afternoon chopping vegetables, only to find that half of them had gone bad by Wednesday. Who has time for that? Plus, honestly, the food just wasn’t very exciting. It felt like punishment, not a way to make my life easier. So, I went back to my old habits: ordering takeout way too often, grabbing whatever was quick and easy, and feeling generally unhealthy and stressed about it. I mean, we’ve all been there, right? That cycle of good intentions followed by total failure.

What Changed My Mind About Meal Prep

Funny thing is, it wasn’t some grand epiphany that changed my mind. It was actually a pretty small thing. I’d been complaining to my friend Sarah about how much money I was spending on delivery. She’s always been super organized (unlike me!), and she casually mentioned that she meal preps her lunches for the week. Not a big deal, right? But then she showed me what she was making: this amazing-looking chickpea salad sandwich on whole wheat. It looked delicious and, more importantly, it looked doable. That was the key, I think. It wasn’t some perfectly portioned, macro-counted meal plan. It was just a simple, tasty lunch that she could easily make ahead of time. It made me rethink everything I thought I knew about meal prep. Maybe it didn’t have to be this all-or-nothing, super-intense process. Maybe it could actually be…easy?

My New, Actually-Works Meal Prep “System”

So, I decided to give it another shot, but this time with a completely different approach. Forget the Instagram-worthy containers and the complicated recipes. I started small. Really small. First, I focused on just one meal: breakfast. I started making overnight oats in mason jars. It’s literally just oats, milk (I use almond milk), chia seeds, and whatever fruit I have on hand. I make four jars on Sunday night, and I’m good to go for the week. It takes maybe 15 minutes, tops. Seriously, anyone can do it. Then, I tackled lunch. Inspired by Sarah’s chickpea salad, I started experimenting with other simple sandwich fillings. Tuna salad, egg salad, hummus and veggies – all easy to make ahead of time and pack in a container. What I learned is batch cooking ingredients is the real game changer. Roast a tray of chicken thighs and some veggies on Sunday. Use that protein and those veggies in different ways throughout the week – salads, wraps, quick stir-fries.

The “Lazy Person’s” Guide to Meal Prepping

I call my method “lazy person’s meal prep” because it’s all about minimizing effort and maximizing results. If you’re as curious as I was, you might want to dig into other quick recipes. Here are a few more tips that have helped me stick with it:

• Don’t be afraid to use pre-cut veggies. Seriously, I used to feel guilty about buying pre-cut carrots or broccoli florets, but it saves so much time and effort.

• Invest in good containers. Glass containers are great for storing food and reheating it, but plastic containers are lighter and easier to transport. Find what works for you.
• Make it fun! Put on some music, invite a friend over, or turn it into a cooking party. The more enjoyable you make it, the more likely you are to stick with it.
• Don’t beat yourself up if you skip a week. Life happens. Just get back on track the following week.
• Keep it simple. Like I said, you’re not trying to win a cooking competition.

Real Talk: My Meal Prep Mistakes (So You Don’t Make Them!)

Okay, so it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. I’ve definitely made some mistakes along the way. One time, I made a huge batch of chili and forgot to let it cool down completely before putting it in the fridge. Ugh, it took forever to get to a safe temperature! Another time, I tried to meal prep too many different things at once and ended up completely overwhelmed. My biggest regret? I forgot to label one container and ended up eating what I *thought* was potato salad. It was cauliflower. Don’t get me wrong, I like cauliflower… just not when I’m expecting potato salad. Label everything! It’s a small thing that makes a HUGE difference. I now keep a roll of masking tape and a marker in the kitchen JUST for labeling. Honestly, it’s probably the most important part of my whole “system.” And one more thing: don’t be afraid to experiment. I was so stuck on the idea of “healthy” meal prep that I forgot to make things I actually enjoyed. Now, I make sure to include at least one or two meals that I’m really excited about, even if they’re not the most virtuous options.

Meal Prep: It’s Not a Diet, It’s a Lifestyle (Kind Of)

I’m not going to lie. Meal prepping isn’t always glamorous. There are still days when I’d rather order a pizza. But, overall, it’s made a huge difference in my life. I eat healthier, I save money, and I feel less stressed about what I’m going to eat each day. And that, for me, is totally worth it. Who even knows what’s next? Maybe I’ll start making my own bread! (Just kidding… probably.) But seriously, if I can do it, anyone can. Just start small, find what works for you, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. It’s a journey, not a destination. And if you happen to accidentally eat cauliflower salad when you were expecting potato salad… well, at least you’ll have a good story to tell. Was I the only one confused by this?