How Meal Prepping Changed My Life (and Saved Me So Much Time!)

How Meal Prepping Changed My Life (and Saved Me So Much Time!)

A few years ago, I used to think meal prepping was only for hardcore fitness buffs or ultra-organized people who somehow had their lives together. Meanwhile, I was scrambling to figure out what to eat every day, wasting money on takeout, not seeing progress and constantly feeling frustrated when I got too tired to cook after a long day. Sound familiar?

That all changed when I started meal prepping. It wasn’t about making elaborate, picture-perfect meals—it was about saving time, reducing stress, and making better food choices without overthinking it. Now, I can confidently say that meal prepping has changed my life in ways I never expected.

Here’s how bulk cooking and simple prep strategies have made my life easier—and how you can do the same.

1. Meal Prepping Saves Time (and My Sanity!)

At first, I thought meal prepping would take forever. The reality? I can prep two meals for the entire week in about an hour. That’s it! Instead of spending time every day figuring out what to eat, I grab and go.

One of my biggest time-saving hacks is bulk cooking:

    •    I make a big batch of a meal (like grilled chicken, roasted veggies, and rice), put some in the fridge for the next few days, and freeze the rest for later.

    •    If I want variety, I mix and match—one protein, one carb, and a veggie—so I don’t get bored.

    •    Sandwich fixings? I pre-cut veggies and store them so I can quickly assemble a sandwich the night before or in the morning.

No more last-minute “what’s for dinner?” stress. Just food that’s ready when I need it.

2. The Power of Pre-Packed Lunches & Snacks

Ever been so hungry in the afternoon that you grab whatever is easiest (and regret it later)? Maybe that piece of candy that turns into multiple or that bagel with cream cheese in the office break room or cookies. I used to, too—until I started packing my lunch and snacks ahead of time.

Now, every night before bed, I:

✅ Pack my lunch & snacks in my lunchbox so it’s ready to grab from the fridge in the morning.

✅ Pre-portion snacks (like protein bars, jerky, fruit, or veggies) to avoid mindless eating.

✅ Keep fruits and veggies on standby for when hunger hits. Having healthy options ready makes it way easier to resist junk food.

When I wake up, I don’t have to think—I just grab my lunchbox and go. It’s a small habit that saves so much mental energy, not to mention money.

3. Prioritizing Protein to Stay Full Longer

One of the biggest mistakes I made before meal prepping was not eating enough protein. I’d eat a meal and be hungry again an hour later. Now, I make sure every meal has a solid source of protein, whether it’s:

    •    Chicken, beef, or fish

    •    Greek yogurt or cottage cheese

    •    Protein bars or jerky for snacks

Protein keeps me full longer and helps with energy levels, making it easier to power through the day without constant cravings.

4. Freezing Meals = Fresher Food for Longer

One game-changing realization? Freezing meals keeps them fresh without feeling like I’m eating leftovers every day. This is my biggest game changer!

Instead of worrying about food going bad, I:

✔️ Store a few days’ worth in the fridge.

✔️ Freeze the rest in portion-sized containers.

✔️ Defrost meals when I’m ready for them (without the stress of cooking from scratch).

This method ensures that my meals taste fresh all week, instead of getting that dreaded “leftover” taste. A pro tip is to pre-cut veggies and freeze them for future meals if you are worried that you won't get to them this week! This will save you time in the future but also a lot of money!

5. Meal Prepping Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

If the idea of meal prepping sounds overwhelming, trust me—it doesn’t have to be. You don’t need to cook 10 meals in one go or spend hours in the kitchen.

Instead, keep it simple:

✔️ Pick one protein, one veggie, and one carb to batch cook.

✔️ Stick to easy, fun recipes (I have some in another blog post!).

✔️ Use shortcuts like pre-cutting veggies for sandwiches or using frozen veggies when needed.

Meal prepping has made my life so much easier, and it doesn’t take nearly as much effort as I thought it would. If you’re tired of stressing over food decisions every day, give it a try. A little planning now saves so much time later! With a little upfront effort, I always have fresh, healthy food ready to go—and that alone has made my life so much better.

If you’ve been thinking about trying meal prepping, start small. Try cooking just one meal in bulk this week, or prep your lunches ahead of time. Once you see how much easier it makes your life, you’ll never go back.

Got your own meal prep hacks? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear them!