54 Healthy Meal Prep Ideas for Weight Loss (All less than $3 per serving!)

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Eating healthy is hard work. 

I know what it’s like to come home after a long day at work and have zero desire to cook. 

It’s way too easy to eat unhealthy these days, which is why you’ve got to make eating the right way as easy as possible.  

What if it was easier and cheaper to heat up some healthy leftovers rather than grabbing takeout on your way home? 

Meal prepping makes that possible. 

Cook a whole batch of food, portion it out, and eat it throughout the week. 

I love meal prepping because it keeps me on track with eating healthy. When you cook your own food, you know exactly what is going into it. No hidden calories. 

Meal prepping also makes it way more affordable to eat healthy. A salad that would run you up $12 at a restaurant only costs a couple bucks to make at home. 

Our mission at Meal Prepify is to make meal prepping as easy as possible. We want to help you meal prep today so that you can save time tomorrow and eat healthy for life! If you’re trying to lose weight, try signing up for one of our favorite free meal plan apps if you need some extra help! 

We’ve got a whole series of healthy-eating meal prep options for you: 

• Salad meal prep ideas
• Recipes with roasted vegetables
• Healthy Air fryer recipes
• Vegetarian meal prep
• Healthy slow cooker recipes
• Macro-friendly recipes for weight loss
• Buckwheat Recipes

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Want to pick up our favorite meal prep containers for keeping food fresh?

This is the Utopia kitchen glass container set. These are microwave safe, oven safe, freezer safe, and dishwasher safe. Whip up your favorite meal prep and store them in these long-lasting containers!

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Sometimes it seems harder than ever to find healthy food that doesn’t break the bank. These healthy meal prep ideas will save your time and keep you on your diet. This round-up includes recipes to meet a variety of dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and keto! 

Here is our mega list of the best healthy meal prep recipes the internet has to offer! This list of 50+ healthy meal prep ideas were written by our favorite food bloggers out there. Show them some love and check out their food. If you’ve ever wanted to start juicing fruits/veggies to get more nutrients in, check out our review of the best juicer for a beginner. 

16 Healthy Meal Prep Ideas for Weight loss: Chicken 

Starting off, we’ve got 16 healthy chicken recipes for you! If this isn’t enough for you to pick from, check out our full list of 50+ chicken meal prep ideas.

1. Crockpot Glazed Chicken Teriyaki

This is a healthy meal prep idea that’s easy to prepare, taking just 5 minutes of prep time. It’s a healthy twist on teriyaki sauce that uses no refined sugars. It’s also high in protein with each chicken thigh containing 29 grams of protein.

If you are following a certain diet such as dairy free or gluten free, this recipe is perfect for you. 

2. The World’s Easiest White Chicken Quinoa Chili

With a name like that, you just know this recipe is going to be a winner. As mentioned in the article, chili is simple, but also customizable. 

Another protein-packed recipe, this one includes chicken, quinoa, and beans. If you leave out the chicken and use water instead of chicken broth, this one can easily be made vegan, too.

3. Chicken and Kale Caesar Wraps

It’s not easy being green – or is it? Packed with greens (kale), this a great healthy meal prep idea for weight loss.

It’s also great for both lunch or dinner, and the Caesar dressing has a vegetarian option. Of course, it still includes chicken, so you’ll have to leave that out if you want them to be totally vegetarian.

4. Chinese Lemon Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

Something about the combination of lemon and chicken is just irresistible. The bitterness of the lemon always makes chicken even more delicious.

This recipe is very easy to prepare and is great all year round! It’s also super portable and Chinese always reheats very well.

5. Keto Chicken Enchilada Bowl

As the name implies, this is a healthy meal prep idea for all you keto diet people. Enchiladas are pretty much always a good idea, and this recipe comes complete with jalapenos. Great for a kick – if you like spiciness, of course! 

6. Healthy Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

Mmm…Greek cooking is always so tasty. You can seldom go wrong when you’re working with such delicious ingredients. Chicken, Tzatziki, and veggies – a great, satisfying combination.

If you like Greek food (who doesn’t?), you can’t miss this healthy meal prep recipe!

7. Sweet Potato Chicken Poppers (Paleo, AIP & Whole 30)

Does this recipe not sound amazing? Not only is it healthy and Paleo, but you also get some good southern cooking out of the deal.

As the article mentions, these are basically the adult version of chicken nuggets. Hey, we may have loved them when we were kids, but the adult version is probably a better choice now.

8. Buffalo Chicken Ranch Whole30 Meal Prep

This healthy meal prep recipe is both Paleo and keto. And it doesn’t it look too shabby, either. Cauliflower rice is actually a new one for me, but if you like cauliflower (I do), it’s sure to be good.

With lots of healthy fats and a low carb profile, this one looks like a winner! We’ve got some more whole30 meal prep ideas if you need them!

9. Hawaiian Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

This recipe has a great combination: tangy barbecue, sweetness from some pineapple, plus a little kick from bell peppers.

A perfect summertime dish (or all year round in Hawaii!), this one is easy to prepare. It’s ready in under 30 minutes!

10. Fajita Meal Prep Bowls

Easy to prepare and easy to reheat, this recipe always a good idea. And who doesn’t love Mexican food? I have yet to meet anyone who doesn’t.

These bows are great on the go or to eat at home. Plus, with tons of optional toppings, they are completely customizable. This one is also on our list of meal prep ideas for healthcare professionals!

11. BBQ Chicken & Roasted Sweet Potato Bowls

If anything on this list is synonymous with summer, it’s these bowls right here. They look seriously tasty, but at 447 calories per serving, this is still some healthy meal prep!

With lots of lean protein and greens, this dish will fill you up without feeling guilty.

12. Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

This looks delicious, and of course, pasta salad is always one of your more portable dishes. This salad isn’t exactly low-carb, but it’s still relatively low in calories. That makes it a great addition to your healthy meal prep arsenal.

And, if you want to make this vegetarian, just leave out the chicken!

13. Spicy Chicken and Sweet Potato Meal Prep Magic

You had me at spicy chicken. I don’t know about you all, but those are two of my favorite things when it comes to food.

Broccoli, avocado, chicken, and sweet potatoes – I need this goodness in my life. This is one of those healthy meal prep ideas that’s always good.

14. Meal Prep Cilantro Lime Chicken with Cauliflower Rice

This meal prep recipe looks as healthy as it does delicious. Seriously, take one look at the photos and I’m sure you’ll be sold.

Now, not everyone likes cauliflower, so that has the potential to make or break this recipe. But, of course, if you aren’t a fan, you could always substitute some brown rice or one of these other healthy alternatives to rice.

15. Chicken Parmesan With Spaghetti Squash

There are several recipes with zucchini noodles on this list, but not as many with spaghetti squash. Both seem to be somewhat love-it-or-hate-it, so it’s probably good to include both variations.

And you get the flavor from the chicken and sauce, anyway, so this healthy meal prep recipe won’t disappoint.

16. Meal Prep Spinach Beet and Chicken Power Salads

Who knew protein was so important? This recipe actually targets women over 40, but I’m sure we can all use more protein in our diets!

The dressing for this one looks delicious, and it’s relatively easy to prepare. Beets are super healthy, but you’ve got to prepare them the right way, so here’s out favorite way to cook beets!

18 Healthy Meal Prep Recipes: Bowls, Salads, Soup

17. Quinoa and Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables

What’s not to love about this recipe? Cheap, healthy, and easy to prepare, you can’t go wrong with this one. Not only that, but the combination of the quinoa and roasted vegetables will leave you feeling healthy.

This is a great summer recipe but is good any time of the year!

18. 12-Minute Asian Broccoli Salad (118 Calories)

This Asian broccoli salad is perfect for your healthy meal prep. It’s super easy to make and uses delicious aromatics that are packed with flavor. While being packed with nutrition, this recipe contains just 118 calories per serving, making it perfect for anyone looking to lose weight.

19. Creamy Whole30 Bacon Garlic Spaghetti Squash

This is another Paleo meal prep recipe that is easy to prepare. Spaghetti squash, bacon, and steamed broccoli – those are all of the main ingredients.

There is also a sauce which adds a few more, but all told, there are just eight ingredients in this recipe.

20. Zoodle Ramen

If you haven’t tried zoodles (zucchini noodles), you just might be missing out. Sure, I’ve heard of some folks who are not a fan, but they’re definitely worth trying.

That’s because zucchini is much lower in carbs than “real” noodles.

21. Zucchini Noodles with Turkey Meatballs

Another recipe featuring zucchini noodles or “zoodles,” this one looks too good to pass up. This one is easy to prepare – the zucchini noodles only require a few ingredients.

The meatballs are a little more involved, but overall not too bad. And, of course, using turkey rather than beef makes them a little bit healthier.

22. Slow Cooker Tuscan Sausage and Kale Soup

Perfect for a cold day, this hearty soup will warm you up while still being healthy. As the name implies, it has plenty of greens.

It’s also protein-packed with beans as wells sausage. The sausage is turkey sausage, too, so it’s still low in fat.

23. Meal Prep Bolognese with Zucchini & Artichokes

This is another healthy take on a less-healthy classic. Replacing beef with turkey and noodles with zucchini noodles makes this a healthy meal prep idea for weight loss.

In fact, the author mentioned it helped her lose weight. This recipe is also gluten-free and Paleo.

24. Vegan Butternut Squash Casserole Meal Prep

Who needs meat when you have avocado? Perhaps I’m a bit biased, but I that’s how I feel about it. And, somehow, this is the only casserole on this list.

Butternut squash, black beans, and tomatoes – this recipe is cheap, but won’t break the bank.

25. Roasted Beet, Chickpea and Black Rice Meal Prep Salads

Have you ever heard that beets taste like dirt? I kind of get it – yet, somehow, they’re still good? I’m not not sure how that works exactly, but it’s totally true.

In any case, these salads look delish. This is a healthy meal prep recipe that’s great to add to your weekday lunch.

26. Tempeh Taco Salad Meal Prep Bowls

Do you work in an office? If so, this healthy meal prep recipe is perfect for you. Designed to be on-the-go, it’s vegan and gluten-free, too!

 Plus, there are only a few ingredients, making this one cheap and easy to prepare. If you aren’t a vegan, you might be new to tempeh – it has a much stronger taste than tofu.

27. Buffalo Turkey Meatballs with Easy Meal Prep Bowls

Honestly, buffalo sauce is one of my favorite toppings. I think it’s the vinegar base that I love, but it makes everything better in my humble opinion.

Spaghetti squash, lettuce, and turkey make this a heal prep recipe that’s as healthy as it is delicious!

28. Spicy Chickpea Quinoa Bowls

As anyone who’s a fan of Mediterranean food knows, chickpeas are a thing of wonder. I’m already hungry just thinking about this recipe!

The ingredients in this bowl are cheap, but you still get plenty of flavor. Oh, and they’re also gluten free and vegan, if that’s what you’re after.

29. Healthy Turkey Chili

Here’s another chili recipe – this time using a different, but still leaner, alternative to beef.

This is also another healthy meal prep recipe that makes use of an Instant Pot, so if you have one, you’re golden! In addition to using turkey, lots of veggies make this healthy, yet delicious.

30. Spring Roll Meal Prep Bowls

These bowls are filling with lots of healthy fats. With shrimp, rice noodles, and veggies, this recipe provides enough sustenance to be a meal of its own.

And as a bonus, these are easier to make than actual spring rolls.

31. Roasted Vegetable and Chickpea Meal Prep Bowls

I’m not one to care about the color of a dish, but this one is very colorful. And the best part is that color comes from lots of healthy ingredients – red onion, Brussels sprouts, and carrots.

In part because it’s vegetarian, all of the ingredients here are simple and cheap. Be sure to add this recipe to your meal prep list!

32. Roasted Veggie Buddha Bowls with Pesto

I don’t know how it took this long for pesto to appear on this list. Pesto is one of my absolute favorite ingredients. It’s good on almost anything!

Plus, Brussels sprouts, peppers, and cauliflower makes this a meal prep weight loss recipe great tasting.

33. Chipotle Lime Shrimp Bowls

So much goodness in just one bowl! Chipotle, lime, and shrimp gives this a sort of southwest feel that’s too good to pass up.

And they’re protein-packed with lots of healthy fats, so you definitely won’t go hungry with this one.

34. Skinny Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe

Broccoli cheese soup is good for sure, but it’s not typically very healthy – despite the broccoli part. Luckily, this recipe lightens it up with ingredients like cauliflower and skim milk.

8 Breakfast Weight Loss Meal Prep Ideas

35. Peanut Butter Banana Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats

This recipe is one of those things you could eat every day and not really ever get tired of it. With peanut butter, banana, and a variety of berries, this recipe is cheap and easy to prepare. Delicious, too!

36. Paleo Lemon Blueberry Pancakes {Gluten Free, Grain Free, Dairy Free}

I definitely want to make these. I can already taste the blueberries and the zing of the lemon should make them even better.

This meal prep recipe is cheap and also Paleo diet friendly. It calls for Paleo baking flour just to be sure.

37. Overnight Oats {Five Ways}

If you aren’t familiar with overnight oats, you should be! They make for a breakfast that’s cheap, healthy, and tasty. And, as the name of the recipe suggests, there are a ton of different ways to make them.

What’s unique about overnight oats is that, because they soak overnight, there’s no boiling of water necessary. Here are 30 more overnight oats recipes!

38. High Protein Breakfast Egg Muffin Meal Prep

Have you ever taken food with you on the go and found it was very messy to eat? With these egg muffins, you can eat your eggs without even using a fork. I don’t know about you, but in my opinion, that’s reason enough to make them.

39. Peanut Butter Blueberry Overnight Oats

When I saw this recipe, I knew I had to include it – even though there’s already an overnight oats recipe on this list. Why? Take one look at the photos and I’m sure you’ll understand.

Plus, there just aren’t enough blueberries here. After all, blueberries taste great while being packed with antioxidants.

40. Protein-Packed Breakfast Acorn Squash

In case you hadn’t already guessed, this recipe is great if you want a protein-packed breakfast. Plus, they look delicious!

Admittedly, this recipe is probably most seasonally-appropriate during the cold weather months, but I think it would be good any time of the year.

41. Fluffy Coconut Flour Pancakes with Wild Blueberry Maple Syrup

I don’t know if it’s just excellent photography or what, but these pancakes look amazing.

And because this recipe uses coconut flour, it’s gluten-free with healthy fats. It sounds like it takes some trial and error, but it also sounds like the end result is worth it.

42. Cashew Cookie Lara Bar Bites Recipe

In a way, this recipe is an obvious choice for DIY. If you’ve ever had Lara bars, you know they are marketed for how few ingredients they use.

In this case, the number is four. That makes them super easy to prepare, and healthy to boot!

12 Healthy Lunches & Sides to Meal Prep for Weight Loss

43. Slow Cooker Bolognese (5 Minutes Prep)

This slow cooker bolognese is hands down so tasty and easy to make! I love to make a big batch for my meal prep because bolognese gets even tastier overnight, but to be honest any recipe that I can make for under $2 thats delicious and takes just 5 minutes to prep, is going in my meal prep rotation!

And, what makes it even better is, this bolognese is super high in protein and only contains 283 calories per serving.

44. Slow Cooker Chipotle Bean Chili

This healthy bean chilli is perfect for weight loss. It’s high in complex carbohydrates, fibre & proteins whilst being super low in saturated fat, and contains just 347 calories per serving. Another plus side is, its also super delicious, using smokey Mexican flavors. A win win if you ask me.

45. Healthy Air Fryer Turkey Burger

These air fryer turkey burgers are packed with flavor and super easy to make. They take just 5 minutes to prep and only contain 158 calories. Also, they’re freezer-friendly so that you can easily bulk make them and then have them next week!

46. Lemon Roasted Salmon with Sweet Potatoes and Broccolini

This meal prep bowl is easy to prepare while still looking good. Just a few ingredients here, but lemon-roasted salmon is sure to help you power through any day.

And, of course, broccolini – because getting your greens is important!

47. Spinach Hummus Wrap

Hummus is another food item I really feel like I missed out on when I was younger. I never really had it which is unfortunate because hummus is so gosh darn good. The hummus in this recipe looks particularly sublime.

Plus, these wraps are quick and easy to prepare. Just toss a few ingredients together and you’re all set!

48. One Pan Baked Cod and Veggies

Purple potatoes, what? When I first saw these things, I thought they were beets or something. As it turns out, they’re actually healthier potatoes.

In any case, this recipe is easy to prepare with very few ingredients (just 5 total!). Oh, and this recipe is also Whole30 and Paleo.

49. Starbucks Bistro Box

It doesn’t get much easier than this meal prep box. Just toss a bunch of healthy items in a box, and you’re good to go!

That makes this recipe perfect when you’re on the go – especially when traveling. The only thing that requires any prep at all is hard boiling an egg, which is still pretty darn easy.

50. Taco Lettuce Wraps Meal Prep

Because you can never have too many lettuce wraps! Personally, this wasn’t something I even considered when I was younger, and now I wish I had. What easier way to be healthy than to replace basically pure carbs with lettuce?

51. Sheet Pan Pork Tenderloin Meal Prep

This recipe is basically your typical stew, but in meal prep form. One of the best things about stews is that they’re simple – there are only a few ingredients with this recipe (7 total).

Total prep time on this one is less than hour (including cooking), so it’s pretty quick! Sheet pan dinners are perfect for a quick meal prep. 

52. Beef and Broccoli

Beef and broccoli is another meal that’s simple and easy, but it always good. And as with most Chinese-style dishes, it should reheat well.

Just prepare, put everything in a meal prep bowl, and you’re all set!

53. Honey Sriracha Glazed Meatballs

You have to love the sweet and spicy combination of honey Sriracha. Add some carrots and brown rice and you have yourself a (relatively) healthy meal prep recipe.

The entire prep time is also just 30 minutes, so this is a very easy recipe as well.

54. California Burger Wraps

Say what you will about replacing bread with lettuce, but these wraps still look tasty.

Plus, they’re easy to make – which makes this a healthy meal prep for weight loss recipe you need in your life. Also, feta cheese on a burger? Yes, please!

Meal Prepping for Weight Loss FAQ

Is Meal Prepping good for weight loss?

Yes! Meal prepping is absolutely essential for weight loss. Meal prepping will help you make healthy meals, avoid eating out, plan ahead for your week of eating

What is the best meal prep for losing weight?

The best meal prep for losing weight are the healthy recipes on this list! We’ve also got some vegetarian recipes and chicken meal prep ideas that are great for losing weight 

What should I meal prep to lose weight?

The best thing to meal prep for losing weight is a combination of high protein foods with plenty of veggies and healthy carbs. My go to is chicken, quinoa, and roasted veggies.