No Cook Meal Prep Ideas
You’ve probably heard co-workers, friends, and family members overpraise the virtues of food prepping. “I do three hours of cooking every Sunday!” they tell you chirpily.
Food prepping is a great way to eat well and save money. However, if you’d rather spend three hours of your time doing something more exciting, you can try our “no-cook food prep” idea. This is a great way to prep food that is an easy, healthy, go-to options sitting in the fridge, but you don’t spend hours cooking these meals.
If you assemble a virtual “fresh bar” of ingredients that can be mixed and matched to create no-cook or low-cook meals- things that you can grab and go, or dishes that can be assembled in less than 5 minutes. Our favorites?
- Veggies: Go big here! Broccoli, cucumber, zucchini, carrots, tomatoes, different lettuces and herbs, radishes, cabbage, onions, sprouts, beets, snap peas, green beans, and asparagus can all be housed in different containers and used for salads, snacks, and stir-fries.
- Proteins: Hard-boiled eggs, portioned deli meat, canned tuna or salmon, cottage cheese, yogurt, and string cheese.
- Carbs: Apples, bananas, oranges, pears, and other “hand-held” fruits are perfect, fiber-filled sources of carbohydrate that require no prep. Simple!
- Sauces: Portion cups of salad dressing, hummus, or cooking sauces to grab and go and put in a pan with some protein and veggies.
All said, there are still times where it’s just not going to happen, or when you crave something you just don’t know how to prepare healthfully. Let’s face it, creamy dishes and high-cal, slim-downs take time and energy, and sometimes you want something that tastes indulgent without having to spend two hours researching on Pinterest.
In those circumstances, it’s best to have some go-to meals stashed in the freezer. These easy, portion-controlled options give you a taste of the flavors you love, without the extra 700+ calories that would come from restaurant fare or a “traditional” recipe.
Between cheesy macaroni, pepper steak, and chicken alfredo, you’ll be sure to find something that will fulfill even your “darkest” cravings, and be ready for a quick blast in the microwave. Check out all of our frozen low-calorie dinners and entrees.
What is the best way to use these dinners? Get creative! Turn fettuccine alfredo into a rich, garden-fresh entree by adding a bag of frozen veggies and some lemon zest, or combine cheese steak macaroni with sautéed peppers and onions. Find a new combo that’s super-satisfying? We’d love to hear!
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