How to Meal Prep for Your Weight Loss Plan

If you plan and prep your meals ahead of time, you'll have no excuse not to eat clean.

5. Swap it out

If your favorite recipe calls for unhealthy ingredients, swap them out! You can use Greek yogurt instead of mayo or sour cream, honey instead of sugar, and whole-wheat pasta instead of white pasta. Check out these 5 healthy sugar substitutes, easy gluten and dairy substitutes, and these 9 snack swaps for weight loss.

6. Get the right containers

You can use glass or plastic containers, but if they’re plastic, make sure they’re BPA-free. It’s also a good idea to get stackable containers so you can save space. Many stores have deals on space-saving, portioned containers now that meal-prepping is so popular.

7. Make a shopping list

Decide how many servings of each recipe you’ll be making and write down what ingredients you’ll need. That way when you hit the store, you can save money by purchasing bulk ingredients when you need to. You can also make your shopping trip a thousand times less stressful and time-consuming. It’s a win-win!

8. Go grocery shopping

Hit the grocery store, and buy only what’s on your list! This is how to make a successful grocery shopping trip. You can even make your shopping trip extra productive by popping in headphones and listening to a podcast or audio book while you tackle your list. Or, call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while! Shopping doesn’t have to feel like a chore.