I got a request to do a post about My Favorite Foods to Have Prepped For The Week and I thought it was a great idea!
I choose specific foods in the following categories based on what cycle phase I’m in. You can learn more about that in The Happy Hormone Guide! Each week, I connect with where I’m at in my cycle and then plan my grocery shop from there with phase-specific foods. I try to do one big grocery shop per week and then maybe another small one if I need extra things for blog recipes and such. We are always running out of things! These are the foods I have on hand or things I like to have prepped before the week starts.
Also, this would be an ideal week. Obviously things happen and we can’t prep all of this but we do the best we can and make it a priority!
Leafy Greens:
This is a non-negotiable, every single week! We eat greens every single day. Whether its spinach, kale, arugula or romaine, I make sure to buy enough for green drinks, salads and add-ins at dinner. I wash and dry them if buying them loose (like kale) before storing. I always add them in wherever I can! Throw them in a soup or stir fry at the end, or over pasta. Something I can’t stress enough is… you can never get enough greens.
I usually buy the big plastic containers because that is my only option so far… it’s not perfect and I hate the plastic but it’s basically unavoidable where I live and works for us. For kale though (and other loose veggies/fruits), I use these reusable produce bags and skip the plastic bags!
Steamed or Roasted Veggies:
These are the cooked veggies I eat. Things like asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, beets, mushrooms, squash, potatoes, etc. They’re the veggies you don’t want to eat raw. They’re also easier to digest when lightly steamed or roasted. I just choose from the food charts in my book and go from there!
Snacking Veggies:
Carrots, cucumber and/or celery – always organic. I love to pair these with hummus, guacamole or peanut butter. Snag these cute stasher bags here.
Protein:
I aim to get some type of protein at every meal. Whether its chia pudding with protein powder, tempeh with salad for lunch or a bean chili for dinner, protein is an essential building block for all things in your body! And in my book, I talk about how we need a protein, healthy fat and starchy vegetable or carbohydrate at every meal for balanced blood sugar (and happy hormones). So keep that in mind when planning meals and don’t skip the essential macronutrients!
Types of protein I have on hand throughout the month:
- Extra-firm Tofu (I drain and press it one hour before cooking)
- Beans (it’s important to cycle through different varieties!)
- Tempeh (I like the Lightlife brand)
- Lentils
- Quinoa
Sauces:
Yummy sauces can elevate any salad or meal! From my Spicy Magic Green Sauce that’s full of delicious herbs to my 5-Ingredient Vegan White Queso that is perfect for tacos or nachos, to my Spicy Almond Butter Sauce (amazing for spring rolls) I like to blend up one homemade sauce per week. They’re quick and easy (I promise!), it saves money from buying a store-bought sauce and I can control the ingredients. Just prep it on Sunday and use it for the next 2-3 days. Sauces can turn a boring meal into an impressive one while still keeping it healthy.
Snacks!
A necessity! Here are some my favorite snacks to choose from and prep on a Sunday (or buy).
- Seed Cycling Energy Balls
- Spicy Seed Crackers
- Daily Harvest Bites
- Chia Pudding
- Nuts and Seeds! I sometimes make my own trail mix too.
Something Sweet:
Also a necessity. I don’t deprive myself! If I want something sweet, I try to make it myself. Here are some of my go-to sweet recipes!!
- Baked Apple Crisp
- 1-Minute Vegan Nutella (so easy its ridiculous)
- Tahini Caramel Twix Bars
- Sugar-Free Freezer Fudge
- Vegan Reese’s
I hope you found this helpful! Maybe it will inspire your next grocery shop. Let me know what you think or your favorite foods to prep in the comments below!
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