Meal Prep Makeovers sure to make busy days easier

Updated: 7/14/25

Do you have an extra busy week or month ahead? We all do at some point. Whether it’s a crazy time at work or the holiday crunch, it can be easy to slip out of meal prepping habits during our busiest times. But it’s so important that you stick with meal prepping — even when life gets hectic. It’s key to living a healthy lifestyle. When you prep your meals in advance, you’re less likely to reach for unhealthy vending machine snacks or make fast food stops.

If you already have a good meal prep routine in place, you can tweak it to stick to your healthy habits, no matter what life throws at you.

Sarah Schafer, Medical Weight Loss Clinic’s Canton manager, says the best way to stay on track with meal prepping when life gets busy is to cut corners. Here are her tips for making meal prep go extra quick:

• Buy pre-cut veggies and fruits

• Buy steamable frozen bags of vegetables to microwave in a hurry

• Use cottage cheese and canned tuna as a quick source of protein

• Buy diet snack crackers as a quick starch option

• Keep fruits as simple as possible, such as apples and grapes that don't require preparation

• Purchase hard-boiled eggs from the grocery store that are already peeled

“I understand these solutions are not the most cost-efficient, but during busy times, you will still save more money eating these foods than ordering to-go!” Sarah says. “Plus, your weight loss will stay on track and you'll feel way better knowing you gave it your all, just by utilizing these convenient foods during busy weeks.”

If you are a Fast Track patient, Sarah also recommends that you save four or five empty water bottles for shakes. In a blender, add four to five packets of Medical Weight Loss Clinic Shakes with 32-40 ounces of water. Blend and divide the shakes into the recycled water bottles. Pack these bottles in a cooler and take them everywhere you go! You will have pre-mixed shakes readily available, plus they're disposable in case you are traveling.

If you are ready to begin your weight loss journey and develop a personalized meal plan, contact Medical Weight Loss Clinic today, and we’ll help you get on the path to success! Book your free consultation here or call 248-353-8446.

Tips for Healthy Eating While Camping

Do you have a camping or hiking trip planned this Summer? You can eat healthy while camping and hiking with a little pre-planning and preparation.  Follow these tips to make sure you have a healthy and safe outdoor adventure.

Make a Plan and Stay Hydrated

During physical outdoor activities, your body typically needs more food and water. Pack plenty of fluids for hot weather excursions. Make sure to stay hydrated, drink water before you start your hike or bike trip and make sure you pack extra to keep hydrated throughout your trip.  Eat a well balanced meal before you start off on your adventure and make sure to pack plenty of snacks to help keep your energy levels up while on your excursions. Pack light weight foods and snacks. You can pack perishable foods, such as sandwiches and wraps, just be sure you have a small portable insulated cooler with ice packs to keep foods chilled properly Here are some snack ideas for an outdoor day trip:

• Fresh fruits - cut up melons, berries, and pineapple stored in baggies. Also you can freeze grapes, cherries and blueberries beforehand to help them stay cold.

• Cut up fresh vegetables such as cauliflower, celery, carrots, broccoli and peppers. Store in baggies to save space in your backpack or cooler.

• Pre-make sandwiches or wraps with tuna fish or grilled chicken.

• Take rice cakes or diet snack crackers for a quick easy snack.

Camping for Several Days

Packing food to last for several days at a time can be challenging. With a little pre-planning and meal prep, you can prepare healthy foods at home before you leave. Map out the meals you want to eat each day. This will also cut down on your meal prep while camping, giving you more time to relax or enjoy your time with family and friends. Here's some quick tips for healthy eating when camping:

• Prepare and cook your meats at home, grilled chicken, shrimp, hamburger patties, a roast in the crockpot, boil eggs for hard boiled eggs and tuna packed in water.

• Wrap cooked meats in foil and store in gallon sized baggies - store in a cooler and just warm over the campfire or portable grill before each meal.

• Cut up vegetables for sautéing with protein options, making fajitas, or stir fy over the campfire or just snacking on them raw throughout the day.

• You can also cut up fresh fruits and store in stackable containers or baggies. Take apples and oranges for a quick, on the go fruit.

• Take easy starches like tortillas for wraps, rice cakes, diet snack crackers and english muffins.

• If you have a way to boil water you can take couscous, long grain rice, quinoa and sweet potatoes.

Cooking Safely While Camping

It is always important to follow good food safety practices. Perishable food cannot be kept out in hot weather (90°F or higher) for more than one hour, and in mild weather for more than two hours. Having the proper safety essentials are a must - make sure to bring the following items:

• Disposable wipes, moist towelettes, hand sanitizer or biodegradable soap

• Bowls and plates

• Kettle or cooking pot

• Eating and cooking utensils

• Ice packs

• Compostable trash bags

• Portable water filters or water purification tablets

• Gallons of fresh water for cooking with

• Thermometers for cooler and cooked meat

• Well insulated coolers. 2 or 3 coolers work best if you have the room. One to keep raw meats separate from cooked foods. One for the cooked foods and the other for your beverages.

Have a healthy Summer!

Original Article Here:  http://www.eatright.org/resource/food/planning-and-prep/snack-and-meal-ideas/food-tips-for-camping-and-hiking