How To Meal Prep Healthy Breakfast A Complete Guide

Are you tired of skipping breakfast or grabbing something unhealthy on the go? Meal prepping is a great way to ensure that you have a healthy breakfast ready to go every morning. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about how to meal prep healthy breakfast, including tips, step-by-step instructions, and more.

Table of Contents

• Why Meal Prep?
• What to Prep
• How to Prep
• Storage Tips
• Healthy Meal Ideas
• FAQ
• Pros and Cons of Meal Prepping

Why Meal Prep?

Meal prepping can save you time, money, and effort. By taking a little bit of time to plan and prepare your meals in advance, you can ensure that you have healthy options available when you need them. This can also help you avoid making poor food choices when you're hungry and pressed for time.

Additionally, meal prepping can help you stick to your health goals. When you have a healthy breakfast ready to go, you're less likely to give in to unhealthy temptations throughout the day. This can be especially helpful if you're trying to lose weight or improve your overall health.

What to Prep

Before you start meal prepping, it's important to decide what you want to make. Consider your dietary needs and preferences, as well as any time constraints you may have in the morning. Some popular healthy breakfast options for meal prepping include:

• Overnight oats
• Egg muffins
• Smoothie packs
• Chia seed pudding
• Breakfast burritos

How to Prep

Once you've decided what you want to make, it's time to start prepping. Here are some general steps to follow:

1. Plan out your meals for the week
2. Make a grocery list and purchase all necessary ingredients
3. Set aside a few hours to prep and cook your meals
4. Use meal prep containers to portion out your meals
5. Store your meals in the fridge or freezer, depending on how long they'll keep

For specific instructions on how to meal prep each of the breakfast options listed above, check out our healthy meal ideas section below.

Storage Tips

Proper storage is key to ensuring that your meal prepped breakfasts stay fresh and safe to eat. Here are some general tips:

• Use airtight containers to prevent moisture and bacteria from getting in
• Label your containers with the date and contents to keep track of what's inside
• Store your meals in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months
• Thaw frozen meals in the fridge overnight before reheating

Healthy Meal Ideas

Overnight Oats

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 banana, mashed
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Optional toppings: fresh fruit, nuts, honey

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, mix together oats, almond milk, mashed banana, chia seeds, and cinnamon.
2. Divide mixture evenly between 2-3 small jars or containers with lids.
3. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
4. Top with fresh fruit, nuts, and honey before eating.

Egg Muffins

Ingredients:

• 8 eggs
• 1/2 cup chopped spinach
• 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
• 1/2 cup diced onions
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• Optional add-ins: shredded cheese, cooked sausage or bacon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir in spinach, bell peppers, and onions (and any add-ins you like).
4. Grease a muffin tin with cooking spray or oil.
5. Pour egg mixture into muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 of the way full.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until eggs are set and lightly browned on top.
7. Let cool before storing in the fridge or freezer.

Smoothie Packs

Ingredients:

• 2 cups frozen mixed berries
• 2 ripe bananas
• 2 cups spinach or kale
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• Optional add-ins: protein powder, chia seeds, honey

Instructions:

1. Divide berries, bananas, and greens evenly between 4-5 small freezer bags.
2. Seal bags and store in the freezer.
3. When ready to make a smoothie, dump contents of one bag into a blender with almond milk (and any add-ins you like).
4. Blend until smooth and creamy.

Chia Seed Pudding

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup chia seeds
• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1-2 tbsp honey
• Optional toppings: fresh fruit, nuts, coconut flakes

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together chia seeds, almond milk, vanilla, and honey.
2. Let mixture sit for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
3. Divide mixture evenly between 2-3 small jars or containers with lids.
4. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
5. Top with fresh fruit, nuts, and coconut flakes before eating.

Breakfast Burritos

Ingredients:

• 8 large eggs
• 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
• 1/2 cup diced onions
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 whole wheat tortillas
• Optional add-ins: cooked sausage, black beans, salsa

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, salt, and pepper.
2. Stir in bell peppers, onions, and cheese (and any add-ins you like).
3. Scramble egg mixture in a large skillet over medium heat until cooked through.
4. Divide egg mixture evenly between 4 tortillas.
5. Roll up tortillas, tucking in edges to form a burrito shape.
6. Wrap each burrito tightly in foil and store in the fridge or freezer.

FAQ

Can I meal prep breakfast for more than one week at a time?

While it's possible to meal prep breakfast for longer periods of time, we generally recommend sticking to 5 days or less for optimal freshness and safety.

Can I reheat my meal prepped breakfast in the microwave?

Yes, all of the meal ideas listed above can be reheated in the microwave. Just be sure to remove any