Meal Prep Guide for Busy Athletes

What is Meal Prep?

Meal prep (meal preparation) is preparing food for multiple days or an entire week in advance. It saves time, money, and ensures consistent nutrition.

Why Should Athletes Meal Prep?

1. Ensures consistent nutrition - Macros are always under control
2. Saves time - One big session vs 21 separate ones
3. Saves money - Less fast food and eating out
4. Fewer temptations - Healthy food always on hand
5. Better recovery - Right food at the right time

Main Types of Meal Prep

1. Full Preparation

Description: All meals completely ready in containers

Suitable for: Very busy people, food delivery workers

Pros:

• Maximum convenience
• Precise portioning
• Quick eating

Cons:

• Some foods may lose quality over the week
• Less flexibility

2. Component Preparation

Description: Protein, carbs, and vegetables prepared separately

Suitable for: Those who want more variety

Pros:

• Can combine differently
• Fresher taste
• More flexibility

Cons:

• Still needs a bit of prep time

3. Batch Cooking

Description: Large quantities of one dish

Suitable for: Families, athletes with intense training

Examples:

• 2kg chicken breast
• Large pot of bolognese sauce
• Whole pan of rice

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Plan Your Week

Questions:

• How many meals per day?
• Which are training days (more carbs)?
• How many lunches to take to work?
• Any special events (eating out)?

Example week:

Step 2: Create Shopping List

Protein sources (for week):

• 1.5kg chicken breast
• 500g ground meat
• 30 eggs
• 500g salmon/tuna

Carbohydrates:

• 1kg rice
• 1kg potatoes/sweet potatoes
• 500g oats
• 1 pack whole grain bread

Vegetables:

• 2 broccoli heads
• 1 cauliflower
• 500g spinach
• Peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers

Fats:

• Avocados
• Olive oil
• Nuts

Step 3: Prep Day (usually Sunday)

2-3 hour schedule:

00:00 - Start oven and pots

• Oven 200°C
• Rice cooking (large pot)
• Boiled eggs cooking

00:15 - Cut vegetables

• Broccoli and cauliflower chopped
• Peppers sliced
• All on baking tray with olive oil

00:30 - Proteins in oven

• Chicken breast seasoned
• Salmon in foil
• Into oven (chicken 25min, salmon 15min)

00:45 - Ground meat

• Fry in pan
• Add seasonings
• Prepare with or without sauce

01:00 - Check finished items

• Rice done → cooling
• Eggs done → cooling
• Vegetables done → cooling

01:15 - Chicken and salmon done

• Slice chicken into strips or cubes
• Divide salmon into portions

01:30 - Portioning

• Divide into containers
• Label with dates
• Fridge/freezer

02:00 - Cleanup

Step 4: Storage

Refrigerator guidelines:

• Cooked meat: 3-4 days
• Cooked rice: 4-5 days
• Cooked vegetables: 5-6 days
• Boiled eggs (with shell): 1 week

Freezer:

• Cooked meat: 2-3 months
• Sauces: 3 months
• Rice: 1 month

Tip: Prep on weekend for Mon-Thu, Wednesday for Fri-Sun.

5 Simple Meal Prep Recipes

1. Chicken Teriyaki Bowls

Ingredients (5 portions):

• 750g chicken breast
• 400g rice (dry)
• Broccoli
• Teriyaki sauce
• Sesame seeds

Preparation:

1. Cook rice
2. Grill or bake chicken
3. Steam broccoli
4. Divide into containers
5. Add sauce in separate bottle

2. Bolognese Bowls

Ingredients (5 portions):

• 500g ground meat
• 400g whole grain pasta
• 2 cans tomatoes
• Onion, garlic
• Italian seasonings

Preparation:

1. Fry meat with onion
2. Add tomatoes and seasonings
3. Simmer 30 min
4. Cook pasta
5. Divide separately (sauce + pasta)

3. Salmon-Sweet Potato Bowls

Ingredients (4 portions):

• 600g salmon fillet
• 800g sweet potato
• Spinach
• Lemon, dill
• Olive oil

Preparation:

1. Bake sweet potato cubed (200°C, 25min)
2. Bake salmon in foil (200°C, 15min)
3. Divide into containers
4. Add fresh spinach when serving

4. Protein Muffins

Ingredients (12 muffins):

• 120g oats
• 2 scoops protein powders
• 3 eggs
• 2 bananas
• 1 tsp baking powder

Preparation:

1. Blend everything together
2. Divide into muffin tins
3. Bake 180°C, 20 min
4. Keeps 5 days in fridge

5. Boiled Eggs and Veggie Sticks

Ingredients (5 snacks):

• 10 eggs
• Carrots
• Cucumbers
• Celery
• Hummus

Preparation:

1. Boil eggs (10 min with boiling water)
2. Cut vegetables into sticks
3. Divide into small containers
4. Add hummus separately

Required Tools

Containers

Recommended:

• Glass containers (microwave safe)
• 1-section vs 3-section
• Airtight lids
• Different sizes (400ml, 700ml, 1L)

Labeling:

• Masking tape + marker
• Day of week + meal

Kitchen Equipment

Essential:

• Large pot (for rice)
• Large pan
• Baking tray
• Sharp knives
• Cutting board

Helpful:

• Rice cooker
• Slow cooker
• Food scale
• Blender

Common Mistakes and Solutions

1. Too Much at Once

Problem: Trying to prepare 10 different recipes

Solution: Start with 2-3 basic recipes

2. Monotonous Menu

Problem: Same food every day gets boring

Solution:

• Different sauces
• Varying seasonings
• 2-3 different proteins per week

3. Too Large Quantities

Problem: Food spoils before eating

Solution:

• Plan realistically
• Freeze the rest
• Start with smaller amounts

4. Forgetting Freshness

Problem: Everything is soft and boring

Solution:

• Add fresh components when serving
• Keep sauces separate
• Don't overcook vegetables

Conclusion

Meal prep is one of the best ways to ensure consistent nutrition with a busy lifestyle:

1. Plan the week ahead - Know what and when to eat
2. Prep on a set day - Make it routine
3. Start simple - 2-3 recipes is enough
4. Store correctly - Watch expiration dates
5. Adapt as needed - Find your system

Time invested on Sunday pays back multiple times during the week!

References

• Ducrot, P., Mejean, C., Aroumougame, V. et al. (2017). Meal planning is associated with food variety, diet quality and body weight status in a large sample of French adults. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 14, 12.
• Kerksick, C.M., Arent, S., Schoenfeld, B.J. et al. (2017). International society of sports nutrition position stand: nutrient timing. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 14, 33.
• Jager, R., Kerksick, C.M., Campbell, B.I. et al. (2017). International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: protein and exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 14, 20. See also:
• Budget-Friendly High Protein Foods: How to Get Enough Protein on a Tight Budget
• Flexible Dieting (IIFYM): Eat What You Want and Get Results
• Post-Workout Nutrition: What and When to Eat?

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