5 Top Foods to Meal Prep For The Week

Meal prep is essential to staying on track with a clean diet. However, have you ever wondered what were the best foods to prep or why they were good for prepping?

Here are 5 that are perfect for your next prepped meal!

1. Chicken Breast: Sure, chicken breast may sound lame and cliche, but there's a very good reason why it is rated as one of the best foods to prep for the week: it is lean! A four oz. piece of skinless, boneless chicken breast is right at about 200 calories and about 35 grams of protein or more.

The only problem, though? It can get rather boring. You can spice your chicken up different ways by playing around and experiementing with different herbs, marinades, and seasonings. My favorite seasoning for my chicken breasts is McCormick's Grillmates Fiery 5 Pepper seasoning! It never gets old.

Besides being lean, chicken usually lasts up to 4 days if stored properly at the right temp in your fridge. For those who aren't down with storing chicken that long, try freezing each breast separately, wrapped tightly, and take out when ready to pack your meal. Easy peasy.

2. Quinoa: There's no secret why most people are starting to favor quinoa over plain ole brown rice. It is packed with fiber, phosphorus, and magnesium-not to mention countless inflammatory phytonutrients-and can be stored up to 4 days inside your fridge in an air tight container. It is easy to freeze and thaw, if needed. I also love the texture of it!

3. Broccoli: I know what you are thinking, "Another boring side to prep." Not exactly. Broccoli is super high in Vitamin K and Vitamin C and contains anti-inflammatory and cancer fighting properties. However, depending on how you prep it, you may lose all of the key nutrients! Do not steam or boil your broccoli for more than 3-5 minutes tops. Overcooking any veggies drastically reduces its nutritional value. I love my broccoli steamed with a little sesame oil, sesame seeds, and a dash of soy sauce. Typically, broccoli will last in the fridge for 3 days. You may freeze it if you need.

4. Sweet Potatoes: High in beta carotene, several recent studies have shown the superior ability of sweet potatoes to raise our blood levels of vitamin A. Sweet potatoes have also been known to regulate your blood sugar, thus, lowering your risks for later developing Type 2 Diabetes. You may steam, boil, or bake your sweet potatoes and they last up to 4 days in the fridge. I personally love to mash mine with a little Stevia or raw honey and some cinnamon as a "dessert."

5. Black Beans: Packed with fiber, black beans are also known for being high in molybdenum, a mineral your body requires to trigger the function of enzymes essential for the synthesis of amino acids and the metabolism of certain compounds. These beans are also filled with countless flavonoids and antioxidants while keeping you feeling full for longer periods of time. You can store beans up until 4 days inside your fridge.