22 Healthy, No-Brainer Meal Prep Ideas for Weight Loss (2024)

This protein-packed dish has plenty of elements to help you meet your macros, including delicious chipotle-spiced chicken, red peppers, and mushrooms. Prep your chicken and veggies in advance and store them separately. When it’s time to eat, toss them together, heat them up, and enjoy them in a tortilla shell or over rice.

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Sweet potatoes provide a delicious (and nutritious) base to this hearty plant-based dish, but they take some time to make. Peel, boil, and mash your potatoes in advance and store them in one container. Then, prep your beans, kale, and other ingredients in another. Heat them separately and serve them together when hunger strikes.

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Kick your day off with plenty of veggies (and fruit) thanks to this delicious breakfast. It features rice cauliflower, rolled oats, and chia seeds, along with a spiced apple and walnut topper you can make ahead and add last minute.

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Yup, you can meal prep salad, too. The key is to keep your ingredients separate before you’re ready to eat. This dish features smooth butter lettuce, topped with cherry tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, and shrimp. Slice up an avocado at the last minute and add it to the mix.

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This protein-heavy dish is easy to make in advance and can be heated up whenever you’re hungry. Serve it over tortillas, cauliflower rice, or even over greens for a hearty salad.

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This protein-packed recipe uses a mix of things you can have at the ready, like yogurt and strawberries. Just toast the groats in advance and whip them out as needed. They keep for up to 10 days in an airtight container.

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This delicious dish uses peanut butter and mole to create a smoky, slightly spicy flavor. The peanut butter and chicken add protein to help fill you up. Prep your chicken and sauce separately, and combine them when it’s time to eat.

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Soup is always a great choice for meal prep—just reheat it when the time is right. This soup is packed with hearty black beans, along with tomatillos and poblano for added flavor and spice. Add a smattering of cilantro and red onions when you’re ready to eat.

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Vegetables are a good way to add bulk to your meals and get in plenty of healthy nutrients. This cauliflower “steak” can be roasted in the oven in advance, while the carrot ribbons and yogurt sauce can also be prepped ahead of time. Serve it as a side dish with extra protein or as-is.

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This powerhouse breakfast has a good mix of protein, fat, fiber, and carbs to get your day going. Better yet: It’s easily mixed up the night before and can be serve whenever you’re ready.

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This Peruvian-style dish has plenty of filling protein, thanks to the shrimp and avocado. Make the shrimp and passion fruit blend in advance and store them separately. Then, add avocado on top when you’re ready to eat.

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This filling dish is a great fit for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. If you’re planning on having it for an A.M. meal, you can either prep it the night before and toss it in the oven while you’re getting ready for work, or just make it ahead of time. It keeps well in the fridge for a few days.

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This low-calorie soup has plenty of fat, protein, and fiber to keep you feeling full, with a bright Instagram-worthy color that’ll make you smile. Prep it in advance and just heat it up whenever the mood strikes.

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This veggie-packed dish is a grain-less twist on traditional tabbouleh thanks to cauliflower. Make it whenever you can and store it in your fridge. You can serve it with grilled chicken, hard-boiled eggs, or pretty much any protein.

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These aren’t your grandma’s muffins. The Southwest egg muffins are packed with protein thanks to their egg base, as well as beans and seeds, making this a great option for any time of day. Make them in advance and store them in your fridge to enjoy throughout the week.

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There’s no meat in this dish, but it still serves up plenty of protein thanks to the lentils. Create the sauce in advance and store it in your fridge for whenever you get a craving for pasta.

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This raspberry-pecan baked oatmeal dish is easy to make and can provide breakfast all week. It features coconut, eggs, milk, pecans, and eggs for protein, along with freeze-dried raspberries for bursts of flavor.

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This delicious dish has plenty of protein, along with a sweet and nutty taste you’ll love. Make the mixed nut and blueberry portions in advance and store them in an airtight container for whenever you’re ready to eat. Then, just layer it with yogurt for a yummy breakfast or snack.

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This chicken-based chili recipe doesn’t just taste good: It can be made in the slow cooker to make your life even easier. Cumin, oregano, and salsa verde give it an elevated taste you’ll enjoy all week.

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This side dish—which goes great with roasted chicken, by the way—can hang in your fridge for days thanks to its use of hearty vegetables like kale, fennel, and celery. Make the dressing in advance and toss it in last minute before serving.

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