Is Meal Prep Worth Your Time?

Is meal prep worth your time? It’s how I save hours, reduce stress, and eat better—even with a big family.

If you want to make meal prep work with family life, I share my simple meal prep strategies here. Be sure to check out my in-depth guide for beginner-friendly vegan meal prep, or if you're up for it, jump into my 3 day vegan meal plan to get started.

Have you ever wondered if meal prep is worth your time?

Juggling family, work, and life’s unexpected challenges can feel overwhelming. As a mom to nine and a holistic health coach, I know just how draining it can feel.

Especially when it comes to mealtime.

Brown Rice Soup

Try this comforting, Blue Zones–inspired Brown Rice Soup—it’s one of my go-to meal prep staples.

Dinnertime dilemmas

Have you ever felt that dinnertime panic, staring into the fridge, hoping for a spark of inspiration? As a mom who loves to make everyone happy, the pressure I put on myself became too much. My kids all have different diets and favorites.

Some love chicken, while others wouldn’t dream of touching it. Over the years, I’ve learned how to accommodate different diets, but that 5 o'clock panic time of “What’s for dinner?” always did me in.

While a Robust Marinara Sauce with meatballs on the side might sound straightforward, the reality often involves pre-planning, time, and sometimes a trip to the store. And I’m not sure about you, but at 5 pm, I’m ready for my day to start slowing down, not begin.

Takeout temptations

Grabbing takeout or something pre-made sounds so much easier than starting from scratch at dinnertime. But this is where the problems begin. It’s not just a hit on our health and wallets but also a missed opportunity to nurture ourselves and our families in the best possible way.

And honestly, Mom's guilt is real and never easy.

That constant weight of wondering whether we’re doing enough, making the right choices, or if we’re just scraping by. Over the years, I’ve found that meal prep offers a way to lighten that load.

Purposeful planning

Of course, there’ll be days when a drive-thru is all that works, and that’s perfectly okay. But for the day-to-day, it’s important to create a strategy that aligns with your lifestyle and standards.

When we plan with intention and block out a few hours, we’re ensuring our family is well-fed. This not only eases our burden during the week but also frees up our evenings for what truly matters.

Meal prep is a secret weapon for gaining more time and contributing to our health, even on the busiest days.

Meal prep payoff

1. A Diet That Works: Have you ever started a healthy eating plan, only to find it was derailed by a busy week? Knowing there’s a meal you love waiting at home reduces the temptation of last-minute takeout or processed foods.
2. Special Diets: Whatever dietary needs or choices your family has, meal prep simplifies the process. You’re in control of every ingredient.
3. Empowered Eating Choices: Ever find yourself continuously snacking or settling for junk food because it’s quick? With meal prep, you’re less likely to give into these spur-of-the-moment lapses. Every meal becomes a conscious choice, which leads to better eating habits.
4. Money Saving: Ever notice how those “quick trips” to the grocery store add up? Meal prep means strategic shopping, fewer last-minute expenses, and more money left at the end of the month.
5. Goodbye Decision Fatigue: Your day is filled with endless decisions. With meal prep, it's one less thing to worry about.
6. Always Prepared: Whether it’s an unexpected twist or a change in plans, with meals prepped, you’re two steps ahead. No compromises, just flexibility.

The Sweet Escape: 5-Minute Mug Cake Magic

This Vegan Chocolate Mug Cake is warm, rich, and comes together in 5 minutes. And if you love mug cakes as much as I do, check out this Vegan Pumpkin Mug Cake next. Tip: Prep the dry ingredients ahead of time so it's ready when you are.

Why Meal Prep Is Worth Your Time

Meal prep isn’t about creating a rigid food regimen; it’s about creating flexibility and time in your life.

So, to answer the question, yes, meal prep is definitely worth your time — it eliminates the overwhelm in your day-to-day.

Meal planning supports our health and strengthens family time. We’re creating and making room for the moments that truly matter. As a mom, it’s how I make sure my family is well-fed.

At the heart of it all, it’s not just about food; it’s about how we spend our time.

Oh, and one more thing—meal prep helps with stress and time, but for the bigger picture, my guide on Holistic Living goes deeper. And if food is what you're after, check out my 25 Mexican-Inspired Meal Prep Recipes, or 60+Tools for Meal Prep that make it easier.