Stress-Free Meal Prep Ideas for Back to School

Parents and sleep-deprived college students both know how fast the school year can turn into a whirlwind. 

Between carpooling to school and nightly homework assignments, eating healthy meals can feel like an impossible goal. 

This is where meal prepping can help. It's a convenient solution to help you eat nutritious meals even when you’re on a tight schedule. 

The idea is simple: make meals ahead of time, so everything is cooked and ready to eat. With meals already prepped, you can save time and stress at dinnertime. 

No matter what your schedule is like, you can find a meal prep strategy that works for you. 

For example, cooking individual meals ahead of time allows you to refrigerate and reheat them at any time of day. 

You can also turn them into individual grab-and-go portions you can eat throughout the week. 

Another option is batch cooking — finding a recipe you like and cooking it in large batches that you can freeze and eat over a few weeks or even months. 

Ingredient prepping is another version of meal prepping where you prepare each ingredient for a meal beforehand to save time in the kitchen. 

Now, let’s look at your schedule to figure out how many meals you should prepare. Are you cooking just for you or your family? 

Planning meals ahead of time is a great way to make sure you’re including healthy ingredients in every meal instead of settling for something quick, easy, and probably greasy. It can also help with portion control, since you’re storing individual servings to eat later. 

To start meal prepping, think of a few recipes that you know and love. Don’t make the common mistake of picking only one recipe for an entire week. 

This can lead to getting bored with your meals and giving up on meal planning. 

Instead, try cooking various recipes that include vegetables, protein-rich foods, and healthy carbs like rice or quinoa.

Diversifying your menu helps you get the nutrients you need without boring your palate.

If you need some culinary inspiration, check out our delicious and nutritious meal prep *recipes: 

*(Click on the image or button to go to the full recipe page).

It tastes indulgent, but it’s packed with nutritious protein, making it a great meal planning option.  

A nutritious meal isn’t complete without an assortment of tasty veggies.  

An often-overlooked part of successful meal prepping is the container. The right container will help your food last longer and taste fresher. 

Airtight Containers: Glass or stainless-steel containers with an airtight lid are a great way to keep your food fresh. You can also wash and reuse these containers after each meal, making them a worthwhile investment. 

Plastic: Plastic containers are the most affordable option, but they have significant drawbacks. They’re prone to leaking, even with a lid, and scents and stains often linger even after washing. 

Freezer & Microwave Safe: Make sure whatever storage method you use is safe for the freezer and microwave. The last thing you want is to slide your meal into the microwave only to end up with melted plastic mixed with your food. 

If eating nutritious meals daily is a struggle to fit into your busy schedule, meal prepping may be the solution.