High Protein Meal Prep Ideas

Are you looking for meal prep ideas to lose weight or increase muscle mass? This may be the year you want to try a high protein diet. High protein meal prep ideas are very popular now and for good reason – eating more protein keeps you feeling fuller longer and may help kick your metabolism into high gear. But one of the drawbacks of eating more protein is the work and planning that goes into preparing your food. That’s why these high protein meal prep ideas can be a timesaver.

There’s no reason to let a lack of time stop you from following a diet that’s good for you in so many ways. The key to increasing the amount of protein in your diet is to get into the habit of meal prepping. By taking some time each week to shop, clean, chop and cook, you’ll have ready-to-go meals at your fingertips all week long that are loaded with filling protein and other good-for-you ingredients.

High-Protein Meal Prep Basics

The best high-protein meal prep starts with planning. Create a menu of foods you want to eat during the week. Every meal doesn’t have to be the same, but it’s helpful if you use similar ingredients in multiple meals so you can prep the food once and use it to feed yourself a few times. Make a list of everything you need before heading to the store to avoid having to make return trips.

Once you’re home, wash all produce and cut or chop it. Cook the protein that you plan to use throughout the week, whether that is meat, poultry, eggs, legumes, high-protein grains or other foods. Gather any sauces or seasonings that will make your meals delicious. Then start portioning out your meals into containers so they’re ready to grab on the run or to heat and eat.

Tips for Successful High-Protein Meal Prepping

A good plan is our first tip for successful high-protein meal prepping, but there’s a few more steps to make high-protein meal prep easy, enjoyable and worth the time it takes to eat healthier. These tips will also help:

• Vary your protein – Don’t eat the same thing over and over or you’ll start to get bored. Switch up your protein and also add different accompaniments, spices or sauces. Good sources of protein include lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, dairy, legumes, nuts and seeds, as well as high-protein grains like quinoa.
• Designate time – Set aside a specific time each week to meal prep so you’ll know that you have time to get it done. Even though you may not want to spend hours in the kitchen, remind yourself of how easy you are making the rest of the week and how much better you’ll eat when you have healthy food prepared and ready.
• Buy storage containers – Having the right size containers makes meal prep so much easier. Invest in a set of containers that fit your needs.
• Don’t overdo it – If you’re new to meal prepping, it may seem overwhelming to do too much. So start slowly and build from there. Maybe you just want to meal prep breakfasts so they’re ready to eat when you’re crunched for time in the morning. Or if you get hungry between meals, prep some high protein snacks that will help you avoid the vending machine.

If you’re looking for more high protein meal prep ideas, especially to start your day, try some of these high-protein breakfast recipes or high-protein smoothies. They’ll fill you up and keep you satisfied all morning long.