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Healthy eating should be a top priority, but when you're tired or stressed, it's easier to choose the chips and chocolate over the complicated meal on Pinterest that needs to be prepared from scratch. With some easy meal prep ideas, you'll be eating healthier quicker. Set aside a day once a week to make prepackaged meals with our tips! This way when you're hungry, nutrition is as simple as grab and go!

Breakfast Meal Prep

Mason jar oatmeal - Overnight oatmeal is full of fiber that keeps you healthy and full, but you might find it a bit boring. Add your oatmeal, fruit and nuts to a mason jar

Lemon Meringue Kisses. This yummy recipe is gluten-free and gout-friendly. And it's only four ingredients.

A great recipe for the tomatoes just coming off the vine. This Simply Salad contest winning dish was submitted by Debby Bernier, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA. 

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 20 grape or cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• Olives of your choice, amount based on your liking
• 8 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese balls
• ½ c. onions of your choice or scallions, chopped
• ¼ c. fresh parsley or Italian seasoning, if desired
• 1/2 c. olive oil
• 1/8 c. balsamic vinegar

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. This is a recipe to have fun with and make your own according to your tastes. Optional: Replace oil

Fall crisp apples gives this salad a little sweetness. This Simply Salad contest winning dish was submitted by Shauna Paskell, Radiation Oncology, UMass Memorial - HealthAlliance Clinton Hospital, Burbank Campus, Fitchburg, MA 

Serves 2

Ingredients

• ½ c. dried apples
• 4 c. romaine lettuce
• Dried cranberries, as much as desired
• ¼ c. honey roasted peanuts
• 4 oz. chicken, cut into small pieces
• 2 oz. apple balsamic vinaigrette dressing

Directions

Add ingredients together and drizzle with 2 oz. of apple balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

A colorful salad to accompany your holiday meal. This Simply Salad contest winning dish was submitted by Gina Halbedel, Ambulatory Services, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA 

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 each red, yellow and orange bell peppers, sliced
• ½ c. red wine vinegar
• ½ c. baby portobello mushrooms, sliced
• 4 c. raw spinach
• 1 large red onion, cut into rings
• 5 grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2.5 oz. farfalle, cooked and chilled
• 12 oz. roasted chicken breast (shredded)

Directions

Toss all ingredients together and enjoy.

Enjoy this flavorful salad blending the flavors of pineapple, green apple and yellow pepper. This Simply Salad contest winning dish was submitted by Priscila Forteza, UMass Memorial Health - HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital, Clinton, MA. 

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 c. chopped celery
• 2 pineapple slices, chopped (not too small or they fall apart)
• ½ c. yellow pepper, chopped into small cubes
• 3 strawberries, chopped (not too small or they fall apart)
• 1 green apple, chopped
• 1 T shallots
• 1 T fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 T extra virgin olive oil
• 2 T white vinegar
• Salt

Directions

Combine all the ingredients. Adjust the salt

Just a few ingredients give your broccoli a flavor lift. This Simply Salad contest winning dish was submitted by Linda Ciccone, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA. 

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 c. fresh broccoli florets
• 1/8 c. red onion, finely diced
• 1 ½ T raisins
• ½ T dry roasted sunflower seeds
• 1/8 c. plain yogurt
• 1 T orange juice
• ½ T fat free mayonnaise

Directions

Combine the broccoli, onions, raisins and sunflower seeds. In a small bowl, whisk the yogurt, orange juice and mayonnaise until blended. Pour over the broccoli mixture and toss to coat.