Mastering Meal Prep

by Kerry Andersen

For anyone juggling a packed schedule, maintaining a healthy diet can feel like an uphill battle. Meal prep offers a practical solution that saves time and supports your health goals.

Planning and preparing meals ahead of time, often for the entire week, reduces the daily scramble to decide what to eat. A single session of chopping, cooking, and portioning can save hours during the week and make it easier to stick to balanced, nutrient-rich choices. Prepping in bulk also reduces reliance on last-minute fast food or processed snacks. As a bonus, meal prepping significantly cuts food costs and minimizes waste because you use exactly what you buy.

Southwest Louisiana offers numerous options for busy individuals looking to prioritize their health without sacrificing precious time. Whether you are looking for recipes and support or someone to do all the cooking for you, mastering meal prep is easier than ever.

Fresh Fuel – What started in 2017 as a home-based idea to share healthy recipes with family and friends has grown into a successful brick and mortar business for owners Meghan and Ross Abraham. Now instead of sharing recipes with customers, Fresh Fuel is doing the meal prep for them. Meghan is a certified holistic health and wellness coach and collaborates with Chef Sarah Broussard to create healthy, whole foods for clients who rave about options like Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese, Shrimp Taco Bowl, and Jerk Chicken with Coconut Rice along with breakfast bowls and a steady rotation of new offerings. The meals last seven days in the fridge or can be frozen for later use; preparation takes just two minutes in the microwave.

Order your meals online (or in the new app), then pick them up on Tuesday or Wednesday from 3:30-6 p.m. ($5 delivery available; five-meal minimum). Grab and go meals are also available in the Fresh Fuel storefront.  Entrees $10-13.50, 4211 Lake Street Suite 40, freshfuelmealprep.com.

The Plant Based Cajun Meal Prep – “Cajun inspired, plants required” is the tagline for this innovative meal prep company. Owner and head chef Camryn Clements believes you don’t have to sacrifice culture or taste for health. This 100% plant-based company’s fan favorites include Red Beans and Rice, The Ultimate Homestyle Chili, Velvety Overstuffed Enchiladas, and Chargrilled Mushroom Alfredo. Insider tip: If you’re new to plant-based, look for meals labelled “newbie” for meals that receive rave reviews from all eaters! Order online and pick-up meals on Wednesdays from 4:30-6 p.m. or schedule delivery on Thursdays (4 meal minimum) and the healthy food comes straight to you. All nutrition facts are completed by a licensed dietician and posted on the menu page.

Entrees $9-13. 4260 Louisiana Avenue, theplantbasedcajun.com.

Macrofit Online – The brainchild of Chelsea Brown, Macrofit is a fitness and nutrition program that helps you reach your goals through meal prepping and community. It’s all about eating foods like gumbo, Cajun shrimp pasta, enchiladas, and yes . . . even jambalaya! Membership gives you access to a library of 1000+ recipes with easy prep directions and a handy grocery list to shop. Meal prep typically takes less than two hours per week and provides balanced, portioned meals ready to grab and go (or double the recipes and feed your whole family)! The program – which includes an easy app – keeps you in a slight calorie deficit without crashing your metabolism. Members, nicknamed Macrofitters, lend each other support inside a private Facebook group.
$99 (four-week program), macrofit.com.

Lazy Meal Prep – If you’re too busy to prep meals (or even pick them up), you don’t have to abandon healthy eating. Social media has numerous accounts and posts dedicated to so called “lazy meal prep.” Many Southwest Louisiana restaurants offer up family meals or party platters that you can quickly portion into individual containers to grab and go for the week. Look for options like sirloin tips at Cracker Barrel and small sirloin steaks at Outback. Saltgrass lets you choose one or two proteins like chicken and shrimp plus two sides and a salad. The key is to pick healthy sides like steamed vegetables or salad. It’s possible to get 5-7 servings for around $120. Bonus, no dishes!