A lack of time is often the excuse people give for not eating healthy. However, by taking time once a week to prep meals for several days, you can maximize your time and make easy, healthy decisions all week. And under-eating is NOT an answer.

Below, we share a few meal prep tips and essential products to help you get a jump start on your healthy eating plan.

Make a List
Meal prepping starts with smart grocery shopping. If you'll be prepping a week's worth of meals in one day, you'll want to be sure to have all of your ingredients ready to go. Keeping a grocery list on your phone will help you keep track of what you have and what you need to pick up when you're shopping.

Buy Me a Pie! is a grocery list app that lets you sort your lists, organize your shopping trips, and check off items as you go.

Cut Up Veggies in Advance
Pulling out the cutting board and chopping ingredients is one of the most time-consuming tasks when making a meal. Get a headstart on weeknight dinners by stocking your fridge with pre-cut vegetables. After washing and chopping, keep each veggie in a separate container so you can quickly grab the ingredients you need for each meal.

Try the Prepworks Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Keeper to keep produce at its best in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Measure and Store
When your ingredients are measured, portioned, and prepped ahead of time, all you'll need to do each night is cook your meal. Portion control containers can help to keep things simple. The containers come in different sizes and colors, allowing you to portion protein, fruits and vegetables, fats, and carbs for each meal. Use the containers for measuring and storing.

This 7-piece set from Amazon is affordable and takes the guess work out of measuring.

Freeze Meals
As you prep each week, put aside a couple of your meals to freeze. If your week gets extra hectic, or if you just get bored with the foods you've made for the week, you can pull out one of the freezer meals for a healthy alternative to take out. Be sure to choose the right containers to prevent freezer burn and to keep your food tasting its best.

Rubbermaid Easy Find Lid sets are safe to use in the freezer and microwave. With plenty of container size options, you can choose what works best for your meals and ingredients.

Healthy eating is half the battle. When you're ready to add exercise into the mix, contact Ralph Roberts for a customized fitness plan.