One of the largest barriers standing in the way of healthy weight loss is often the amount of time it takes to build nutrient dense meals to eat as soon as you get hungry. When the urge to eat strikes it can be helpful to have meals pre-made and ready to go, and it’s in instance that you’re unprepared where you’re more likely to reach for foods that won’t provide as much benefit to your body as they could.
Lunch is generally the most neglected meal of the day as it falls right within your work hours, so preparing and making healthy and delicious dishes in advance will not only streamline your weight loss journey, but also take stress off your day in figuring out what to eat. Need a little inspiration? We rounded up the five meal prep dishes you need to try this week to feel great in your skin while truly enjoying what you’re eating.
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
A Mediterranean diet is naturally packed with a variety of fresh vegetables making it the perfect cuisine to experiment with for healthy weight loss. Depending on the type of pasta you opt for, this can make for an excellent source of carbs, and with feta cheese as a form of healthy fat you’ll have an easy meal prep dish to eat throughout the week that proves salad doesn't have to be dull.
Ingredients: Pasta, grape tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, spinach, pitted green olives, pitted black olives, feta cheese, salt and pepper, olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, dijon mustard, oregano, thyme
Turkey Taco Salad
Taco salads are some of the easiest meals to make in advance and pack for a busy day out of the house. They’re customizable with an array of colorful veggies and lean protein making them ideal for sustainable weight loss while tasting even more fresh and healthy than an order of Chipotle. Win win!
Ingredients: Olive oil, ground turkey, taco seasoning, romaine lettuce, pico de gallo, Greek yogurt, shredded cheese, lime
Shrimp Stir Fry
Whether you follow a pescatarian diet or are simply looking for different ways to increase protein intake within your diet, shrimp is a great way to go. This stir fry comes together in under 15 minutes and is loaded with savory flavors and a great selection of vegetables to nourish your body and set you on the path for weight loss without ever depriving yourself of delicious food.
Ingredients: Shrimp, avocado oil, salt and pepper, zucchini, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, liquid aminos, raw honey, garlic, ginger, chili flakes, sesame seeds
Buffalo Chicken Bowls
Chicken is one of the best sources of lean protein for healthy muscle growth and a faster metabolism, and this buffalo chicken bowl makes for the ideal easy lunch on the go that you can enjoy all week long. Both paleo and keto, this filling and veggie packed dish will nourish your body while exciting your taste buds.
Ingredients: Chicken breast, hot sauce, ghee, salt, mayonnaise, cauliflower rice, turmeric, romaine lettuce, cucumber, grape tomato, green onion, avocado, ranch dressing, celery
Southwest Quinoa Salad
For a hearty combination of grains, plant-based protein and veggies, this southwest quinoa salad is loaded with flavor and an easy lunch to pack or eat throughout the week that only takes a few minutes in the microwave to heat up. Quinoa is an excellent grain that will help increase satiety and add some texture to the meal, and black beans are an ideal source of vegan protein that will do the same.
Ingredients: Olive oil, garlic, quinoa, low sodium vegetable broth, canned corn, black beans, red bell pepper, green onions, fresh cilantro, lime juice, honey, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper, avocado
