You guys seem to love meal prep, so I thought a basic meal prep would be perfect to share with the new year. You don’t need to prepare EVERYTHING to set yourself up for success! What’s your favorite way to meal prep?
+Mind Over Munch i notice when you did the meat and cheese rollups you did two containers of them could one of them go into the freezer. because it would only be good up to a few days in the fridge. and would love to see a video on a meals in single servings and put into the freezer. like food plan for the month in the freezer.
I'm LOVING the fact you're gonna do Meal Prep Mondays...I'm so freakin excited bc I am just getting into this and it's been overwhelming to figure out what to make
Meal prep machine! I prefer to "ingredient prep" most of the time cuz making a decision about what finished meal I'm gonna eat at the beginning of the week and actually sticking to it will never work for me so I just try to keep stuff chopped to prepare later.
That quiche looks AMAZING. I think I might make that tonight... I'm just getting into meal prep. It really does seem to save so much time during the week. I can come home from work and know that I have a quick healthy meal waiting for me. Thanks for the tips! I'm definitely making that quiche soon.
+Emely Sanchez So glad you liked it!! Congrats on your progress so far, that's fantastic! You should be proud :) If you liked this one check out my playlist for meal prep :)
Thank you so much for your detailed meal prep videos! As a young nurse working night shifts, I'm so thankful for the wisdom on how to plan my time for meals. HUGE help to discover your videos this week
Love meal prepping!! I prep breakfast, lunch and snacks. i have a menu of what's for dinner and shop from that so there is no question on what we will fix.
I am trying real hard to go without sugar, I was just blown away to find out that my cottage cheese has sugar added to it. So I am realizing that I am eating more hidden sugar than I knew about. I am going to read labels much more carefully in the future. Thank you for opening my eyes.
+Susan Elliott Exactly! That is what this is really about- recognizing how much sneaky sugar we eat without knowing! So glad you feel you're learning :) Cheers!
I LOVE mealprep! It helps keeping all organised and on a budget. With good music it can also be fun! I personnally too do half&half, sometimes 60-40 and it's so helpful!
I have that same green funnel! It's a game changer isn't it? It fits all the jars and keeps everything nice and neat. I love it when I'm making salads in jars.
Loved this!!! I prepped yesterday, I realized chilling veggies and cleaning fruit and other herbs and spices helps me through the week. I also made some soup and salad for lunches. I find more then that I end up wasting. Thanks for the tips Alyssiasheikh!!!
I like the new camera angles, but the switching back and fourth so much in the intro was giving me whiplash. thank you for the meal preps! I'm looking forward to this year's kick start! :)
Awesome, as always! I can't wait to try that quiche! One of my favourite ways of meal prepping, is using my cheapo slowcooker. It makes nice stews while I do other things, and I can even prepare food for my omnivore husband, as long as he preps the meat. That's a total win for me! :D I also often make huge batches of cabbage/cruiciferous based salads - most of the time I just toss them with lemon juice, salt, pepper and a bit of olive oil - because they stay tasty so long, and are so filling. Just add a hummus and some pumpkin seeds for serving and both the husband and I are happy campers (the camping bit excluded...altho it WOULD work for camping too! ;)). Another thing that makes lunch time easypeasy is having a jar of roasted, spiced chickpeas (mixed with pumpkin seeds or on their own) to top salads or soups with. Filling and exceptionally yummy - and good source of protein for me. :)
Great ideas! I used to meal prep different entire meals that I froze but I love your idea of preparing a little bit of everything! More freshness + it makes everything more versatile and simplifies so much more the prep, since you're concentrating on one item at a time (I mean protein, veggies, carbs & fruits). Definitely going to try this strategy out! 😃
Yay! Meal prep videos are my favorite even though I always make excuses and never get around to it. I have 90% of the things you used in the video and some decent substitutes for what I don't have, so this will be the week I get off my butt and prep. I think I already told you I bought all your ebooks as a package deal at one point and kept buying them the second you released them ever since. FOR ANYONE THINKING ABOUT IT, DO IT. That Meal Prep ebook is easily my favorite out of the Mind Over Munch collection - I make at least 5 or 6 of the recipes in it on a regular basis.
+andrea caro Awesome!! I know, we all make excuses, but when I force myself to prep I do so much better throughout the week! Remember, you can modify this to suit your needs, so use whatever recipes you prefer!! Also, thank you SO very much for your eBook feedback, those books are my babies and I'm so glad you're finding them useful!!
+Mind Over Munch I always tell myself that I don't want to prep because I like more variety, but I can see prepping really does make you stay on track. Maybe I'll just plan to prep for shorter periods of time instead of whole weeks since I do tend to have time to cook midweek when I don't have class. I know that graphic design is your first job and you can really tell. ONE DAY I WANT TO HAVE A PHYSICAL BOOK IN MY HAND. I will be first in line to buy it.
Sunday is prep day - I do 'em all, husband makes fun of me but he did tell me he was proud of me!! Can't imagine not meal prepping. It DOES take time, but sooooo worth it!!
A little tip for you so that cutting board will not slide everywhere, is to place a clean cloth under it. i usually use my clean wiping cloth and it will not slide. i have never cut my finger that's why the idea of board sliding makes me cringe ^^a Loving your meal prep ideas! i can't eat the same thing every single day too that's why the things i meal prep the most are: 1. Frozen vegetables (so i have options either if i want to steam, or stir-fry, or just boil them before eating) 2. Fruits (that won't need to be in the fridge for a week. Since i'm a student and have to share a single fridge with 15 other kids in a boarding house) like oranges, apples, pear. 3. Condiments (for example i make my own mix for stir fries, or simple dipping sauces for my veggies) i usually don't get to prep my own protein cuz it usually taste not as good so mom packed a full container of chickens depends on the days i won't be getting home. i don't prep rice because i cook rice everyday :)
I love to do basic meal preps with 1 lb of ground turkey (or wild meat, like venison or buffalo, if you have access) browned up with some basic spices (Canadian Steak seasoning); then use it in lettuce wraps or on a bed of greens with roasted veggies for great salads!
Yay, meal prep! I only prep for 2-3 days at a time & for lunch & breakfast. Never thought about prepping that type of yummy-looking snack .... Happy New Year!
I never thought of the idea of the meat and cheese roll-ups for meal prepping! Fantastic idea. I love that it packs a protein punch with that hummus. I am definitely going to have to add that to my Sunday repertoire. Great video!
I'm working on getting into the habit of meal prepping breakfast and lunch because this semester I have classes all day MWF. Definitely going to use some of these ideas! Love the turkey wraps!
This is so helpful!! Can you do a vlog or something showing how you actually incorporate all the foods you prepped into your every day meals? I always meal prep but end up never eating everything.
+Mariam Maidi :) I wish! These videos take 8-10 hours to just film lol so they aren't feasible for EVERY Monday, but I'll try to do one every month or so :)
I'm always the worst at meal prep, but I'm getting better. I usually don't make enough to last me the week and then I end up having to make more during the week but its not too bad. Lovely video as always, I'm loving the background. Happy week to everyone :)!!!
+Jade Green I feel you Jade! I usually prep for 4-5 days anyway because the food doesn't last the full week, but even that helps me stay on track better than nothing! :) So glad you like the background! I spent forever on it lol!
I love the speed prep vid! Domestic Geek also just did meals prep and I got great tips from both of you, thanks! So, what you just showed us was meal prep for two? I'm so desperately unoriginal, however, I'm marvelous at borrowing ideas from others and adapting to my own needs. I'm working on meal prep for the week for my fam of five. Storage is my issue. I'm not sure if it's user error or if we just have much in our fridge (from which we mostly eat, pantry items move slowly.)
+Amy Johnson perfect! Yes I love Sara Lynn's meal prep too :) This prep would be for myself and Christian, but it obviously isn't everything we eat - just the basics. Some weeks I prep more veggies and fruit and some less, depends on how much time I want to spend prepping that day :) Meal prep for 5 is tough but not unattainable. Definitely takes some planning out though. Storage for 5 could be a challenge, I have started storing things like I show in this video in large jars rather than portioning everything out and it helps save on storage space :) My eBook also helps with planning out meals :) mindovermunch.com/ebooks Cheers!
Y'know, since you use mason jars so much, it might be an idea to invest in a food saver type thing with the jar attachment to suck all of the air out of the jars to help the food last even longer. Although getting the lids off on the go could be some trouble. Either way, it's something to consider.
This girl cracks me up! From here in the UK the prep thing is slowly taking hold, but it's great to have the inside track watching your video.... Thanks. I did the honest thing and went and bought your newbie prep guide. Being a manly man I have to read it in secret. For some reason this whole meal prep, healthy kick start doesn't seem to filter down to the fellas.... not yet anyway. Jars, jars and more jars! I needs to invest ha! How long will fruit and vegetables keep in these. I guess they'll not take up as much room as the plastic tubs (can't spell tuppawear). Thanks again x
+Fly Frosty lol! Your comment made me smile, thank you! :) So glad you're enjoying the channel and I hope you find the eBook useful, it's my baby :) You don't need jars for storage but I just prefer the glass :) Plastic will work fine too. I usually prep for 4-5 days at a time and most everything lasts. I don't usually cut vegetables for more than 4 days out because they will go bad, but to help keep them fresh I'll store them with a paper towel and a spritz of water. For protein and cooked food, I will freeze it if I know I'm not going to use it in the first 4-5 days :) Cheers!
+Mind Over Munch It's 2235 hours here in England, but your prompt reply means I can sleep well knowing the full facts from the munch Queen herself 😊 I really look forward to reading the ebook(s) and watching the vids, oh and whilst I have your attention....... You're my secret crush, but shhhhhhh... The wife is asleep next to me he he. All the best x
For me if I were to cook anything a day in advance it might be starch like the rice. But really I'd prop just cut, clean, and season everything days in advance for the fridge, and then cook it that day since reheating it doesn't always come out the same as made that day. I love the tips though!
Hello from Venezuela!! I have a question... all of the meal preps are for how many people? I really love this videos, hope someone can help me... amazing job!!
I meal prep for lunch and dinner for Sunday through Friday. I usually do two or three dishes for lunch, to take to work and school, and one complete dish for dinner. For example, this week for lunch I cooked six fillets of Tilapia, breaded with panko bread crumbs and lactose-free cottage cheese, served over Israeli large-pearl couscous with sundried tomatoes, lemon juice, and parsley, with a side of crab salad. The crab salad is a blend of imitation crab meat, cabbage and carrot slaw mix (I cheated and bought the pre-diced bag), light mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. (I would have used yogurt, but I can only get plain, lactose free yogurt at Whole Foods, and the Cottage Cheese at the far-away Kroger. I'm not about to drive to TWO far away grocery stores. I have to pick and choose each week!) For a snack, I prepared egg salad with pancetta, light mayonnaise (again, couldn't drive to find my yogurt), lemon, dill, and paprika. I might add some honey mustard for a little sweetness and zing. I can have this on my oat bread for a mid-afternoon snack at the office. For dinner, I made a big meal that has everything I need in it. No side dishes. I made a weight-watchers broccoli-chicken casserole: Three heads of broccoli (maybe 1.5 pounds), a sauce made of 3 cups of chicken broth (from better than bouillon paste), half a cup of unsweetened soymilk, and a half a cup of whole wheat flour to thicken the sauce. To the sauce I added one dry cup of red quinoa, rinsed and ready to cook. I poured the sauce and quinoa over the broccoli in a casserole dish, layered slivered chicken breasts over the top (roughly 1.25 pounds), and baked, covered, at 400 for thirty minutes. For the final 20 minutes I added a half of a cup of lactose free mozzarella cheese, stirred it all up, and bam, instant healthy casserole for the whole week. Every week I use different recipes, to keep things interesting. Because I am lactose intolerant I have to get creative when I'm trying to fulfill my rich and creamy cravings. Lactaid, Green Valley Organics, Daiya, and Silk have some wonderful alternatives, but lack nutritional value (except for the non-dairy milk products, which all have at least some calcium--though only the soymilk ever has protein--why is that??). Some weeks when I am lazy, I just stirfy chicken and veggies, and serve over rice for basically the whole week. But for the most part, I like to get really creative. One of my favorites was a Weight Watcher's casserole imitating the Greek dish, Moussaka. It was layers of grilled eggplant slices, with a meat sauce in-between. The sauce's primary flavors, get this, were cinnamon, thyme, nutmeg, and tarragon. With a tiny bit of shredded cheese on top, this is by far the healthiest, most savory, and deliciously indulgent casserole I have ever made. I think the recipe was called something like Chicken and Eggplant casserole (but I used beef). In any case, it's delicious and I highly recommend it Love your channel!
+Charlotte K Wow! I'm jealous of your meal prep :) Sounds amazing! Love that you switch up the recipes to keep things interesting, I have to do that too :) Thank you for also sharing your wonderful tips! Much love
+theano kontopyraki thanks! My meal prep eBook discusses basic portion size guidelines :) If I'm hungry beyond a portion I try to turn to fruit :) mindovermunch.com/ebooks
+macaronipop Yeah! This helps me stay on track when I do it :) The purple vegetable is a purple cauliflower! It's pretty much the same as a regular cauliflower but it's purple in color :)
I like to completely meal prep my breakfast and snacks for the week. Generally I'll prepare oats in 8 oz mason jars and use pumpkin spice or apple pie spice (3 dashes) with pecans, dried cranberries and chia seeds and 2 tsp of maple syrup. The next day I'll add 1 cup of almond milk and heat it up in the microwave. I prep about 6 types of veggies to roast or to put in a salad, or make a homemade soup. I also prepare 4 different types of fruit and place them in snack bags so I can just grab it and go. I try my best to do this on Sunday. I'm working on being more consistent with this. The oatmeal is good if anyone wants to give it a try ;-)
+NapturalButtafly Yes!! Love oats with spices for flavor :) Great idea to do the dry oats in advance! Your type of prep seems to cover the basics which is exactly what I like to do :)
Oh thanks!! You should try it because it definitely won't disappoint you ;-) I got that idea from the Domestic Geek on one of her meal prep videos...I think it was meal prep week 2 and she used the pumpkin spice and loved it! Tell me how it works out for you!!!
+NapturalButtafly Chai spice Overnight Oatmeal! I just found the idea on another UA-cam video. Chai Tea Lattes are just about my favorite drink, so I will have to try the Chai Spice Overnight Oats!
Thank you for your videos! Please, share some vegetarian options for protein, etc. And about your question, I prefer to meal prep partially (some things are better straight from oven /pan :) )
Is there an alternative to using greek yogurt in the tuna salad recipe? I'm unfortunately lactose intolerant and that sets it off. Everything looks delicious, though!! Every Sunday, my mom and I roast veggies like carrots, brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes, and green beans. Just olive oil, garlic, salt & pepper. They usually last a few days, but it helps with more veggie intake.
+Cheryl Hagar You could use a dairy free yogurt like soy or coconut milk :) Just try to get a plain one that isn't sweetened. Yes! Roast veggies always help me eat more for those few days they last :)
+P3acexL0veScr1be Yes, the majority of these foods absolutely need to be stored in the fridge (with the exception of the oranges and grapes depending on whether or not you prefer them cold). All of these foods have to be refrigerated after cooking to avoid the spread of foodborne illness. Hope that helps! :)
Thanks guys! I only ask because my mother in law stores every meal she makes (after eating of course) at room temp. I was always told by my mom to refrigerate every leftover, so I didn't know if what my MIL does is common or right for some things
+MeiJun Sim The amount of nutritional quality lost from cutting produce beforehand is extremely small. Some people still choose to refrain, but I've found that if I don't prep, I'm less likely to eat them. I'd rather cut them in advance and know I'll actually eat well throughout the week than avoid veggies all together :) depends on what works for you
+LeShia Marsh Yeah! You can literally use any veggies you want in that quiche! I love doing broccoli and cauliflower or broccoli and cheddar. Also spinach, tomato and onion is a nice combo. Bell peppers and zucchini. Really throw in any veggies you like!
OK, I finished the last of my creamers on Saturday and Christmas cookies( with help from my husband). Coffee:half n half w/stevia and breakfast was half an English muffin with butter. Lunch: almonds, homemade hummus, pita baked into chips and the last of a diet pepsi (leftover from a holiday party). Snack was some Greek yogurt (yeah, I am sure there was some sugar in there). Dinner will be homemade spaghetti (a little lean sausage included in sauce). Here we go! Fruit and vegetable shopping Wednesday. They sure didn't look good at Wal-Mart Sunday. Will do the best we can since some of my food may have sugar in the ingredients list. sigh :)
+lovetwoslot that's awesome! So glad you're joining in :) The point is to really become aware of how much sugar we consume without knowing, so take some time to look at the labels if you can :) Remember also, Greek yogurt that is plain will have some sugar but it is naturally occurring from the milk. There isn't always added sugar, just have to check the ingredients list :)
Purple cauliflower is so pretty. A week ago Sean and I prepared cauliflower crust pizza and it was a-MAZ-ing. So so delicious. A big ole' pizza and we each ate half of it (in two sittings) so it was gone that day. But that night I had horrible bloat. Those of us with gastroparesis are prone to distention. Just a facet of the condition. But this was the worst kind where my poor belly exploded and was taut with gas. I suspected the cauliflower. With all the produce you consume (assuming your GI system is normal) do you ever get bloated? If so, what do you do for it?
I love purple cauliflower! I find the best way to help with bloating (believe it or not) is to stay well hydrated! Drinking water may make you feel bloated, but actually the water will help to flush your system and keep things in proper balance :)
+mariposati me too... It won't look good after 4 days, I guess... Everything with onions or garlic shouldn't be kept more than 2 days. Can please someone help? :)
+mariposati I prep 4-5 days at a time and this lasts :) it depends on what you prep and how it's stored though :) My eBook discusses how to store food :) mindovermunch.com/ebooks
you can always op out some stuff you make in your meal prep? cause there's some stuff I don't like goat cheese and other stuff I saw love the video great ideas
This was very helpful! Thank you! is there anyway you could do a meal prep video for college students?!? I am struggling to get healthy but it's hard to think of foods I can cook in the microwave that aren't complete Crap for my body.
+Skyler Walker Glad you found it useful! Thank you for the suggestion :) Most of my meal preps are usable for college students- they use basic, affordable ingredients and can be preheated pretty easily :) Cheers!
+Luna Bear I usually prep for 2, but I just do the basics and use these ingredients in different recipes throughout the week :) If I can't eat the cooked food I'll freeze it :)
love this! But it would be even more amazing if you could include how long each prepped meal is gonna survive i am never sure about these things and i guess most of them wont be save to eat after 7 days? xoxo
+Abu Dabi I usually prep for 4-5 days at a time. Most of this won't last a full 7. So I try to get Monday-Thursday or maybe Friday in if I can. If I can't refrigerate the meal for that long I freeze it. I also explain some storage guidelines in the eBook :) mindovermunch.com/ebooks
+Samk I usually prep for 4-5 days at a time because I sort of throw together whatever I have around or go out on weekends. I don't like to prep every single meal for the day, so I prep basics. I might eat the chicken plain with rice, or I might add it to a salad. I chop veggies to keep for salads, eggs, salsas, etc. Rather than meal prepping everything in advance, I just prep the ingredients, because that's what works for me. Some people prefer to prep every meal of the week which works fine too. My eBook discusses in detail how to prep for your lifestyle :) Cheers!
+Mind Over Munch Thanks! I bought your book last night. Cant wait to check it out! I am new to healthy eating, I am hoping this will be a good place to start.
I worry incase food goes rancid so how long will the prepped meals keep for, I know you say that these will keep us on track for the week but do some of them have to be consumed before other items?Thanks in advance, Linda
+PointingTheWeigh It does depend on the food. I usually prep 4-5 days in advance and if anything won't last I'll freeze it. My eBook discusses appropriate times for refrigeration and freezing :)
![How to Get a Developer Job - Even in This Economy [Full Course]](/img/n.gif)
You guys seem to love meal prep, so I thought a basic meal prep would be perfect to share with the new year. You don’t need to prepare EVERYTHING to set yourself up for success! What’s your favorite way to meal prep?
i wish if i were as fast as you lool
+Nayla snowwhite haha, love this! Me too :)
Ekta B wish it was like that un real life lol
+Mind Over Munch i notice when you did the meat and cheese rollups you did two containers of them could one of them go into the freezer. because it would only be good up to a few days in the fridge. and would love to see a video on a meals in single servings and put into the freezer. like food plan for the month in the freezer.
I'm LOVING the fact you're gonna do Meal Prep Mondays...I'm so freakin excited bc I am just getting into this and it's been overwhelming to figure out what to make
Meal prep machine! I prefer to "ingredient prep" most of the time cuz making a decision about what finished meal I'm gonna eat at the beginning of the week and actually sticking to it will never work for me so I just try to keep stuff chopped to prepare later.
+Evelyn From The Internets Absolutely! Love the idea of calling it ingredient prep because that is really what it is!
You have the best most informative channel on UA-cam and you deserve millions of subscribers!!! Thank you for doing what you do.
+razmatazemma :) You are amazing, thank you for the support!
That quiche looks AMAZING. I think I might make that tonight... I'm just getting into meal prep. It really does seem to save so much time during the week. I can come home from work and know that I have a quick healthy meal waiting for me. Thanks for the tips! I'm definitely making that quiche soon.
Honestly one of my fave videos u have done so far! I'm totally going to make everything. Just started my health journey. Down 5 pounds, 15 more to go!
+Emely Sanchez So glad you liked it!! Congrats on your progress so far, that's fantastic! You should be proud :) If you liked this one check out my playlist for meal prep :)
Thank you so much for your detailed meal prep videos! As a young nurse working night shifts, I'm so thankful for the wisdom on how to plan my time for meals. HUGE help to discover your videos this week
thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!
Love meal prepping!! I prep breakfast, lunch and snacks. i have a menu of what's for dinner and shop from that so there is no question on what we will fix.
+Jennifer byrd That's a great idea! I need to create a menu too or I won't stick with it for the week :)
I am trying real hard to go without sugar, I was just blown away to find out that my cottage cheese has sugar added to it. So I am realizing that I am eating more hidden sugar than I knew about. I am going to read labels much more carefully in the future. Thank you for opening my eyes.
+Susan Elliott Exactly! That is what this is really about- recognizing how much sneaky sugar we eat without knowing! So glad you feel you're learning :) Cheers!
I LOVE mealprep! It helps keeping all organised and on a budget. With good music it can also be fun!
I personnally too do half&half, sometimes 60-40 and it's so helpful!
+Samanta Berruti Yes that's a great idea! Breaking it up :)
I love your ways of addressing healthy eating! Thank you so much for the time and effort you put into your videos, Alyssia!
+Vivian Chen :) My pleasure! This is my passion, so I really appreciate you watching and am so glad you're finding the content enjoyable and useful!
I have that same green funnel! It's a game changer isn't it? It fits all the jars and keeps everything nice and neat. I love it when I'm making salads in jars.
Loved this!!! I prepped yesterday, I realized chilling veggies and cleaning fruit and other herbs and spices helps me through the week. I also made some soup and salad for lunches. I find more then that I end up wasting. Thanks for the tips Alyssiasheikh!!!
+Ekta B Oh yum, your prep sounds fantastic!!!
I like the new camera angles, but the switching back and fourth so much in the intro was giving me whiplash. thank you for the meal preps! I'm looking forward to this year's kick start! :)
+huskypaws Thanks!
ABSOLUTELY LOVE this. Great recipe ideas as well. Thanks for sharing!
+Marriage & Motherhood :) Thank you! So glad you enjoyed!
Finally, a meal prep that actually do able for students. I love that you don't use a billion ingredients.
+Ajeng Ghina Farhani Absolutely! Meal prep can be as simple or as complex as you make it :)
Awesome, as always! I can't wait to try that quiche!
One of my favourite ways of meal prepping, is using my cheapo slowcooker. It makes nice stews while I do other things, and I can even prepare food for my omnivore husband, as long as he preps the meat. That's a total win for me! :D
I also often make huge batches of cabbage/cruiciferous based salads - most of the time I just toss them with lemon juice, salt, pepper and a bit of olive oil - because they stay tasty so long, and are so filling. Just add a hummus and some pumpkin seeds for serving and both the husband and I are happy campers (the camping bit excluded...altho it WOULD work for camping too! ;)).
Another thing that makes lunch time easypeasy is having a jar of roasted, spiced chickpeas (mixed with pumpkin seeds or on their own) to top salads or soups with. Filling and exceptionally yummy - and good source of protein for me. :)
+Zarah S P Yes! Slow cookers are a life saver, great suggestion!! Your salad sounds delicious, too :)
Great ideas! I used to meal prep different entire meals that I froze but I love your idea of preparing a little bit of everything! More freshness + it makes everything more versatile and simplifies so much more the prep, since you're concentrating on one item at a time (I mean protein, veggies, carbs & fruits). Definitely going to try this strategy out! 😃
Thank you! I've found that having a few basics prepped helps me stay on track, but I don't have to get bored with the same thing every day :) Cheers!
Loving this series. Thank you for putting such care into your channel.
+SMW330 :) So glad you are enjoying it! Thank you so much!
Yay! Meal prep videos are my favorite even though I always make excuses and never get around to it. I have 90% of the things you used in the video and some decent substitutes for what I don't have, so this will be the week I get off my butt and prep. I think I already told you I bought all your ebooks as a package deal at one point and kept buying them the second you released them ever since. FOR ANYONE THINKING ABOUT IT, DO IT. That Meal Prep ebook is easily my favorite out of the Mind Over Munch collection - I make at least 5 or 6 of the recipes in it on a regular basis.
+andrea caro Awesome!! I know, we all make excuses, but when I force myself to prep I do so much better throughout the week! Remember, you can modify this to suit your needs, so use whatever recipes you prefer!! Also, thank you SO very much for your eBook feedback, those books are my babies and I'm so glad you're finding them useful!!
+Mind Over Munch I always tell myself that I don't want to prep because I like more variety, but I can see prepping really does make you stay on track. Maybe I'll just plan to prep for shorter periods of time instead of whole weeks since I do tend to have time to cook midweek when I don't have class. I know that graphic design is your first job and you can really tell. ONE DAY I WANT TO HAVE A PHYSICAL BOOK IN MY HAND. I will be first in line to buy it.
+andrea caro A dream! I definitely want to create a physical book some day :) Thanks for your amazing love and support!!
Sunday is prep day - I do 'em all, husband makes fun of me but he did tell me he was proud of me!! Can't imagine not meal prepping. It DOES take time, but sooooo worth it!!
+Deb Seyler Absolutely! I get that prepping isn't for everyone, but when I do it, I am so thankful!
A little tip for you so that cutting board will not slide everywhere, is to place a clean cloth under it. i usually use my clean wiping cloth and it will not slide. i have never cut my finger that's why the idea of board sliding makes me cringe ^^a
Loving your meal prep ideas! i can't eat the same thing every single day too that's why the things i meal prep the most are:
1. Frozen vegetables (so i have options either if i want to steam, or stir-fry, or just boil them before eating)
2. Fruits (that won't need to be in the fridge for a week. Since i'm a student and have to share a single fridge with 15 other kids in a boarding house) like oranges, apples, pear.
3. Condiments (for example i make my own mix for stir fries, or simple dipping sauces for my veggies)
i usually don't get to prep my own protein cuz it usually taste not as good so mom packed a full container of chickens depends on the days i won't be getting home. i don't prep rice because i cook rice everyday :)
+Ichie Yamato lol, this is a tip that I need! thank you :) Your prep sounds fantastic! You set yourself up for success :)
I love to do basic meal preps with 1 lb of ground turkey (or wild meat, like venison or buffalo, if you have access) browned up with some basic spices (Canadian Steak seasoning); then use it in lettuce wraps or on a bed of greens with roasted veggies for great salads!
+Lauren Hardy That sounds fantastic!
I really do like the meal prep videos, when I'm starting to slip a little bit they inspire me to use fresh food again.
+Megan Schafer that's awesome!! Thank you!!
Yay, meal prep! I only prep for 2-3 days at a time & for lunch & breakfast. Never thought about prepping that type of yummy-looking snack .... Happy New Year!
+Calisa Hardy that's great! A little meal prep can go a long way :) Happy New Year!
I absolutely love this video. Meal prepping can be a little bit overwhelming. However, you make it look so easy and fun!. Thank you for sharing!
+Melody “Melo” Marron :) Thank you! Yes, meal prepping doesn't need to be so scary, and it doesn't need to be boring! Cheers!
I never thought of the idea of the meat and cheese roll-ups for meal prepping! Fantastic idea. I love that it packs a protein punch with that hummus. I am definitely going to have to add that to my Sunday repertoire. Great video!
+Christa Beery Exactly! And the hummus adds great flavor :) Thank you for watching! So glad you enjoyed the video :)
I'm working on getting into the habit of meal prepping breakfast and lunch because this semester I have classes all day MWF. Definitely going to use some of these ideas! Love the turkey wraps!
+Meghan Konop Yeah! Those roll ups are my fav!
i love how simple this one is. ... I would love for you to do 5 recipes using quinoa
+Lillian Jones I have some quinoa recipes coming :)
I love this so much. i may do this exact meal prep soon. it looks so simple!!!
This is so helpful!! Can you do a vlog or something showing how you actually incorporate all the foods you prepped into your every day meals? I always meal prep but end up never eating everything.
+cynthia Yes! I use some of my meal prepped foods in What I Eat In A Day videos so maybe check out that playlist :)
really2 love this... hope you can upload meal prep Monday throughout the year 😊😊😊 thank you
+Mariam Maidi :) I wish! These videos take 8-10 hours to just film lol so they aren't feasible for EVERY Monday, but I'll try to do one every month or so :)
Great idea for meal prep Monday meals Alyssia. Those look great thanks for this upload.
+FitAnge S So glad you liked it! Thanks so much friend!
is there s vegan or vegetarian version of the meal plans ? thank you
+Xena T :) I *may* share a vegan prep soon! ;)
Yes please! Starch solution style would be great or just hclf as well! 😊
+Mind Over Munch thank you so much excited for what's next for your channel in 2016 :D
+Mind Over Munch Yes yes yes! I came to the comments hoping to see this exact thing! :D
+Mind Over Munch definitely interested in vegan/vegetarian meal preps as i'm trying to consume less animal products
I'm always the worst at meal prep, but I'm getting better. I usually don't make enough to last me the week and then I end up having to make more during the week but its not too bad. Lovely video as always, I'm loving the background. Happy week to everyone :)!!!
+Jade Green I feel you Jade! I usually prep for 4-5 days anyway because the food doesn't last the full week, but even that helps me stay on track better than nothing! :) So glad you like the background! I spent forever on it lol!
That's awesome. Love the mason jars. Looking greatf to meal prep mo day. Heard about , read about it still wasn't sure how to do it.
+snowmanluv Awesome, thank you! :) More meal prep to come!
All foods you made here are great for myself and my daughter. Great choice!
Awesome I'm glad these recipes will be useful in your life! :)
Love this video as always! Finally broke down and got the ebook! Can't wait to dive in! Thank you again for all that you do! 💜😊
+Courtney Keating :) woohoo! I hope you enjoy! Let me know if you have any questions
LOVE the way you did this video. So fun and easy to follow.
+Christine R :) Thank you!!
Your videos always make me smile, thank you for the meal prep ideas!
+Olga Alanis :) That makes my day, thank you!
I love the speed prep vid! Domestic Geek also just did meals prep and I got great tips from both of you, thanks!
So, what you just showed us was meal prep for two? I'm so desperately unoriginal, however, I'm marvelous at borrowing ideas from others and adapting to my own needs. I'm working on meal prep for the week for my fam of five. Storage is my issue. I'm not sure if it's user error or if we just have much in our fridge (from which we mostly eat, pantry items move slowly.)
+Amy Johnson perfect! Yes I love Sara Lynn's meal prep too :) This prep would be for myself and Christian, but it obviously isn't everything we eat - just the basics. Some weeks I prep more veggies and fruit and some less, depends on how much time I want to spend prepping that day :) Meal prep for 5 is tough but not unattainable. Definitely takes some planning out though. Storage for 5 could be a challenge, I have started storing things like I show in this video in large jars rather than portioning everything out and it helps save on storage space :) My eBook also helps with planning out meals :) mindovermunch.com/ebooks Cheers!
Thank you so much! Please do these more often!!!!
+kiwe1008 Yes! Will do :) Thanks!
I love your channel! Thank you for the motivation!
+Ana Mena my pleasure! Thank you!
love those deli rolls! I am def going to make those for my kids
+AH1OZ yeah! One of my go-to snacks!! :)
Awesome and simplistic video for meal prepping!! Thanks for sharing.
+Ashley Maclin :) My pleasure, thank you!
Oh yes, I'm all over this. Good job on making Mondays a little less miserable! I'll be looking waaaay forward to this.
+Lugosi Dane :) Awesome, thanks!!
Just found site so anxious to listen to the videos
Welcome!
Awesome meal prep ideas. Thank you for the pdf file. I love egg recipes.
+Miiko Baquet My pleasure! Thank you :)
Y'know, since you use mason jars so much, it might be an idea to invest in a food saver type thing with the jar attachment to suck all of the air out of the jars to help the food last even longer. Although getting the lids off on the go could be some trouble. Either way, it's something to consider.
Great tip, thanks!
When are you going to do the what do I eat in a day video....I so enjoy them🤗🤗🍽
+Marie Yap I will get one up after this series I promise :)
Love the way you filmed this!...Easy to understand, easy to follow:)) Thank you.
+Cheryl Hock Thanks Cheryl! So glad you enjoyed it!
I love this series (and channel). It's awesome. Thanks for posting!
+ishmari14
Soooo happy I discovered your channel. Your videos have been so useful!
+behniwal08 awesome!! Thank you :) happy to have you here, welcome to the channel!!
Awesome meal prep. Looks like you are going to have a yummy week! - Kim
+Fit and Fabuless Mamas Yes!! It will be a good one :) Cheers!
This girl cracks me up! From here in the UK the prep thing is slowly taking hold, but it's great to have the inside track watching your video.... Thanks.
I did the honest thing and went and bought your newbie prep guide. Being a manly man I have to read it in secret. For some reason this whole meal prep, healthy kick start doesn't seem to filter down to the fellas.... not yet anyway.
Jars, jars and more jars! I needs to invest ha! How long will fruit and vegetables keep in these. I guess they'll not take up as much room as the plastic tubs (can't spell tuppawear).
Thanks again x
+Fly Frosty lol! Your comment made me smile, thank you! :) So glad you're enjoying the channel and I hope you find the eBook useful, it's my baby :) You don't need jars for storage but I just prefer the glass :) Plastic will work fine too. I usually prep for 4-5 days at a time and most everything lasts. I don't usually cut vegetables for more than 4 days out because they will go bad, but to help keep them fresh I'll store them with a paper towel and a spritz of water. For protein and cooked food, I will freeze it if I know I'm not going to use it in the first 4-5 days :) Cheers!
+Mind Over Munch It's 2235 hours here in England, but your prompt reply means I can sleep well knowing the full facts from the munch Queen herself 😊
I really look forward to reading the ebook(s) and watching the vids, oh and whilst I have your attention....... You're my secret crush, but shhhhhhh... The wife is asleep next to me he he. All the best x
Great food. Great presentation. THANK YOU!
+lucid mimi
Love meal prep Monday's!
+Samantha P woohoo!!
I love your meal preps! I am excited about this kick-start :) thank you!
+Jessica J. :) Thank you!!
I am a week late in seeing this and I love it! Thanks for the pdf so I can save that on my flash drive for future use!
+Nicole Richard :) Thank you! My pleasure, so glad you enjoyed!
For me if I were to cook anything a day in advance it might be starch like the rice. But really I'd prop just cut, clean, and season everything days in advance for the fridge, and then cook it that day since reheating it doesn't always come out the same as made that day. I love the tips though!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
+laurasb98 Happy New Year to you!
Hello from Venezuela!! I have a question... all of the meal preps are for how many people? I really love this videos, hope someone can help me... amazing job!!
thank you! This prep is for one person, maybe two... but you can of course adjust it to make the amount of food you need for your household :)
+Mind Over Munch thank you si muchos for the anwser
I meal prep for lunch and dinner for Sunday through Friday. I usually do two or three dishes for lunch, to take to work and school, and one complete dish for dinner. For example, this week for lunch I cooked six fillets of Tilapia, breaded with panko bread crumbs and lactose-free cottage cheese, served over Israeli large-pearl couscous with sundried tomatoes, lemon juice, and parsley, with a side of crab salad. The crab salad is a blend of imitation crab meat, cabbage and carrot slaw mix (I cheated and bought the pre-diced bag), light mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. (I would have used yogurt, but I can only get plain, lactose free yogurt at Whole Foods, and the Cottage Cheese at the far-away Kroger. I'm not about to drive to TWO far away grocery stores. I have to pick and choose each week!)
For a snack, I prepared egg salad with pancetta, light mayonnaise (again, couldn't drive to find my yogurt), lemon, dill, and paprika. I might add some honey mustard for a little sweetness and zing. I can have this on my oat bread for a mid-afternoon snack at the office.
For dinner, I made a big meal that has everything I need in it. No side dishes. I made a weight-watchers broccoli-chicken casserole: Three heads of broccoli (maybe 1.5 pounds), a sauce made of 3 cups of chicken broth (from better than bouillon paste), half a cup of unsweetened soymilk, and a half a cup of whole wheat flour to thicken the sauce. To the sauce I added one dry cup of red quinoa, rinsed and ready to cook. I poured the sauce and quinoa over the broccoli in a casserole dish, layered slivered chicken breasts over the top (roughly 1.25 pounds), and baked, covered, at 400 for thirty minutes. For the final 20 minutes I added a half of a cup of lactose free mozzarella cheese, stirred it all up, and bam, instant healthy casserole for the whole week.
Every week I use different recipes, to keep things interesting. Because I am lactose intolerant I have to get creative when I'm trying to fulfill my rich and creamy cravings. Lactaid, Green Valley Organics, Daiya, and Silk have some wonderful alternatives, but lack nutritional value (except for the non-dairy milk products, which all have at least some calcium--though only the soymilk ever has protein--why is that??).
Some weeks when I am lazy, I just stirfy chicken and veggies, and serve over rice for basically the whole week. But for the most part, I like to get really creative. One of my favorites was a Weight Watcher's casserole imitating the Greek dish, Moussaka. It was layers of grilled eggplant slices, with a meat sauce in-between. The sauce's primary flavors, get this, were cinnamon, thyme, nutmeg, and tarragon. With a tiny bit of shredded cheese on top, this is by far the healthiest, most savory, and deliciously indulgent casserole I have ever made. I think the recipe was called something like Chicken and Eggplant casserole (but I used beef). In any case, it's delicious and I highly recommend it
Love your channel!
+Charlotte K Wow! I'm jealous of your meal prep :) Sounds amazing! Love that you switch up the recipes to keep things interesting, I have to do that too :) Thank you for also sharing your wonderful tips! Much love
thanks for goood hard work! this one is just great. i'm not good at preps but it's a new year and will try more healthy diet. thanks a lot c
+Jihye Kim My pleasure!! I don't prep everything, but doing the basics really helps me stay on track for the week :)
The tuna salad looks amazing! I love to add curry powder and diced apples in it :)
+1024specialkay That sounds fantastic!
you work so hard on your vids and the editing is always so professional, I love your channel keep up the great work :) x
+Asya Sofia
i loved that one! the thing that i suck at is the portion control. especially at carbs. i would love if you could give me some advice on that.
+theano kontopyraki thanks! My meal prep eBook discusses basic portion size guidelines :) If I'm hungry beyond a portion I try to turn to fruit :) mindovermunch.com/ebooks
thank you very much !
very awesome idea. I do this some weeks but not all weeks. I should do it every week for a healthier week.
btw. what is that purple vegetable??
+macaronipop Yeah! This helps me stay on track when I do it :) The purple vegetable is a purple cauliflower! It's pretty much the same as a regular cauliflower but it's purple in color :)
I AM LOVING THE NEW CONTENT ! You ROCK !
+Kim Barus :) Awesome! Thank you!!!
I like to completely meal prep my breakfast and snacks for the week. Generally I'll prepare oats in 8 oz mason jars and use pumpkin spice or apple pie spice (3 dashes) with pecans, dried cranberries and chia seeds and 2 tsp of maple syrup. The next day I'll add 1 cup of almond milk and heat it up in the microwave. I prep about 6 types of veggies to roast or to put in a salad, or make a homemade soup. I also prepare 4 different types of fruit and place them in snack bags so I can just grab it and go. I try my best to do this on Sunday. I'm working on being more consistent with this. The oatmeal is good if anyone wants to give it a try ;-)
+NapturalButtafly Yes!! Love oats with spices for flavor :) Great idea to do the dry oats in advance! Your type of prep seems to cover the basics which is exactly what I like to do :)
+NapturalButtafly Oh My goodness! I love your oats idea! I am definitely going to have to try that for myself! Thanks a bunch!
Oh thanks!! You should try it because it definitely won't disappoint you ;-) I got that idea from the Domestic Geek on one of her meal prep videos...I think it was meal prep week 2 and she used the pumpkin spice and loved it! Tell me how it works out for you!!!
+NapturalButtafly Chai spice Overnight Oatmeal! I just found the idea on another UA-cam video. Chai Tea Lattes are just about my favorite drink, so I will have to try the Chai Spice Overnight Oats!
Thank you for your videos! Please, share some vegetarian options for protein, etc. And about your question, I prefer to meal prep partially (some things are better straight from oven /pan :) )
+Steffi Yes! Definitely will share soon :)
Is there an alternative to using greek yogurt in the tuna salad recipe? I'm unfortunately lactose intolerant and that sets it off.
Everything looks delicious, though!! Every Sunday, my mom and I roast veggies like carrots, brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes, and green beans. Just olive oil, garlic, salt & pepper. They usually last a few days, but it helps with more veggie intake.
+Cheryl Hagar You could use a dairy free yogurt like soy or coconut milk :) Just try to get a plain one that isn't sweetened. Yes! Roast veggies always help me eat more for those few days they last :)
that was some bad ass mel prep....really made it seem so easy!
+Justine Marie :) thank you! It doesn't need to be as intimidating as some people make it seem :)
those roll ups are genius!!
+Zach Davis Thanks! They are so delicious!
I've always been curious, and it might be a silly question....do you store all your meal prep at room temp or do you out some new the fridge??
+P3acexL0veScr1be I'm guessing she stores them in the fridge. I wouldn't eat chicken that's been left out on the counter for days. Maybe it's just me?
+P3acexL0veScr1be Yes, the majority of these foods absolutely need to be stored in the fridge (with the exception of the oranges and grapes depending on whether or not you prefer them cold). All of these foods have to be refrigerated after cooking to avoid the spread of foodborne illness. Hope that helps! :)
Thanks guys! I only ask because my mother in law stores every meal she makes (after eating of course) at room temp. I was always told by my mom to refrigerate every leftover, so I didn't know if what my MIL does is common or right for some things
+P3acexL0veScr1be Yep! I store this all in the fridge, except for the clementines :)
lovely video as always! I've been wanting to ask does storing cooked veggies in the fridge for days loses its nutritional value??
+MeiJun Sim The amount of nutritional quality lost from cutting produce beforehand is extremely small. Some people still choose to refrain, but I've found that if I don't prep, I'm less likely to eat them. I'd rather cut them in advance and know I'll actually eat well throughout the week than avoid veggies all together :) depends on what works for you
Thank you for the video, really enjoyed it. Please keep them coming.
+Monique Williams awesome! Thank you :)
Awesome video! I've definitely got a few ideas for this week to add to my grocery list. Thanks! :)
+forksofnature awesome! So glad to hear that :)
Loving everything that you do. BUT not a big fan of asparagus and goat cheese can you suggest some alternatives? Keep em coming!!
+LeShia Marsh Yeah! You can literally use any veggies you want in that quiche! I love doing broccoli and cauliflower or broccoli and cheddar. Also spinach, tomato and onion is a nice combo. Bell peppers and zucchini. Really throw in any veggies you like!
OK, I finished the last of my creamers on Saturday and Christmas cookies( with help from my husband). Coffee:half n half w/stevia and breakfast was half an English muffin with butter. Lunch: almonds, homemade hummus, pita baked into chips and the last of a diet pepsi (leftover from a holiday party). Snack was some Greek yogurt (yeah, I am sure there was some sugar in there). Dinner will be homemade spaghetti (a little lean sausage included in sauce). Here we go! Fruit and vegetable shopping Wednesday. They sure didn't look good at Wal-Mart Sunday. Will do the best we can since some of my food may have sugar in the ingredients list. sigh :)
+lovetwoslot that's awesome! So glad you're joining in :) The point is to really become aware of how much sugar we consume without knowing, so take some time to look at the labels if you can :) Remember also, Greek yogurt that is plain will have some sugar but it is naturally occurring from the milk. There isn't always added sugar, just have to check the ingredients list :)
wow! you made it look so easy!
+CaramelmochaCurls yeah! It doesn't need to be as daunting as some people make it seem :)
Yay I love meal prep! And ikea containers ftw! Loving the kickstart series :D
+Tam Yes!!!! Love Ikea :) So glad you're enjoying!! #redefinehealth
You make life so much easier!!!
+Nicole Romero
Purple cauliflower is so pretty. A week ago Sean and I prepared cauliflower crust pizza and it was a-MAZ-ing. So so delicious. A big ole' pizza and we each ate half of it (in two sittings) so it was gone that day. But that night I had horrible bloat. Those of us with gastroparesis are prone to distention. Just a facet of the condition. But this was the worst kind where my poor belly exploded and was taut with gas. I suspected the cauliflower. With all the produce you consume (assuming your GI system is normal) do you ever get bloated? If so, what do you do for it?
I love purple cauliflower! I find the best way to help with bloating (believe it or not) is to stay well hydrated! Drinking water may make you feel bloated, but actually the water will help to flush your system and keep things in proper balance :)
so does meal prep stay fresh all week?
+favoritestuffs yep! I prep for 4-5 day at a time :) My eBook discusses how to store food :) mindovermunch.com/ebooks
How long do you think the quiche would be good out of the fridge?? That looks like my favorite!!!
+Lygia Muzzio Thanks! The quiche will last about 3 days in the fridge or you can freeze it :)
Love this! How long can i keep it? I always worry about that...
+mariposati me too... It won't look good after 4 days, I guess... Everything with onions or garlic shouldn't be kept more than 2 days. Can please someone help? :)
+mariposati I prep 4-5 days at a time and this lasts :) it depends on what you prep and how it's stored though :) My eBook discusses how to store food :) mindovermunch.com/ebooks
This video gives me a lot of inspiration!!
awesome, thank you!
Thanks for the video I will do it!!
+Linda Escamilla :) Thanks!
Purple cauliflower? Never seen that before!
+Isittruee I love it! Tastes the same but makes food more fun :)
you can always op out some stuff you make in your meal prep? cause there's some stuff I don't like goat cheese and other stuff I saw love the video great ideas
+lola2022 Yes you can always sub whatever you don't like :)
This was very helpful! Thank you! is there anyway you could do a meal prep video for college students?!? I am struggling to get healthy but it's hard to think of foods I can cook in the microwave that aren't complete Crap for my body.
+Skyler Walker Glad you found it useful! Thank you for the suggestion :) Most of my meal preps are usable for college students- they use basic, affordable ingredients and can be preheated pretty easily :) Cheers!
Simply wonderful!!!!
+Amy Harriman :) Thank you!
When you're doing your meal preps, is this all food just for you? Or is this food for 2? Do you go through all of the food you make in 7 days?
+Luna Bear I usually prep for 2, but I just do the basics and use these ingredients in different recipes throughout the week :) If I can't eat the cooked food I'll freeze it :)
love this! But it would be even more amazing if you could include how long each prepped meal is gonna survive i am never sure about these things and i guess most of them wont be save to eat after 7 days? xoxo
+Abu Dabi I usually prep for 4-5 days at a time. Most of this won't last a full 7. So I try to get Monday-Thursday or maybe Friday in if I can. If I can't refrigerate the meal for that long I freeze it. I also explain some storage guidelines in the eBook :) mindovermunch.com/ebooks
Hai.. I don't have an oven. Is it possible if u make u meal prep without baked food? Thx! :)
Love this series! Thank you 💜
+jessicaluciekirk my pleasure! Thank you!
I'm a meal prep newby!! Luv yr videos and ideas tho! I'm gonna give it a shot!!
+Deb Clinton :) Thank you! It really helps me stay on track!
so where I get lost is where to go from here. is this lasting you an entire week? what are u eating in a day?
+Samk I usually prep for 4-5 days at a time because I sort of throw together whatever I have around or go out on weekends. I don't like to prep every single meal for the day, so I prep basics. I might eat the chicken plain with rice, or I might add it to a salad. I chop veggies to keep for salads, eggs, salsas, etc. Rather than meal prepping everything in advance, I just prep the ingredients, because that's what works for me. Some people prefer to prep every meal of the week which works fine too. My eBook discusses in detail how to prep for your lifestyle :) Cheers!
+Mind Over Munch Thanks! I bought your book last night. Cant wait to check it out! I am new to healthy eating, I am hoping this will be a good place to start.
great thanks. Welcome to California!
+Francine Golden :) Thank you!!
I worry incase food goes rancid so how long will the prepped meals keep for, I know you say that these will keep us on track for the week but do some of them have to be consumed before other items?Thanks in advance, Linda
+PointingTheWeigh It does depend on the food. I usually prep 4-5 days in advance and if anything won't last I'll freeze it. My eBook discusses appropriate times for refrigeration and freezing :)