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Meal Prep Around the Holidays

Having a healthy meal planned out before starting your day can make saying no to holiday temptations easier! When you are short on time or out of healthy options in close proximity, you are more likely to make unhealthy choices, such as eating Christmas cookies and peppermint bark for lunch.

Try these tips to make meals in advance for three to five days at a time.

  1. Chop fruits and vegetables so they are on hand to use for snacking or putting in other meals during the week.
  2. Separate trail mix or nuts into small snack-size bags.
  3. Cook a large batch of chicken or ground turkey to use in meals throughout the week. You can flavor it differently each day to avoid getting bored with your meals.
  4. Store individual granola bars or oatmeal packets at work for mornings when you don’t have time to eat at home. Look for low-sugar versions of these items.
  5. Keep healthy drinks on hand. Coming armed with your own bottle of water, unsweetened iced tea, or sparkling water can help you resist the two-liter of soda sitting in the break room.

Set aside time each week to make your grocery trip. This is the first step in preparing healthy meals and snacks ahead of time!

Here are some things to look for during each grocery trip:

  1. Produce – Pick your favorites! There are no bad fruits or vegetables when it comes to weight maintenance.
  2. Whole grains – Choose whole grain breads, rice, or pastas to keep on hand
  3. Lean meats – Buy fresh meat for the week ahead, but also consider buying frozen items such as turkey burgers or salmon patties to have as backup.
  4. Healthy sauces, oils, and seasoning – Some examples are olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, or sauce that is naturally low sugar and low sodium.

Stay connected

Need some help putting together a healthy grocery list? Check out this resource from Mayo Clinic to make your list-making a breeze!

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