Here’s the deal – meal planning takes some serious thinking, planning, and work (which is why a lot of people don’t do it), BUT it saves you so much time throughout the week.

If you are someone who typically buys your lunch, meal planning will help you save money, make healthier food choices, and create calmer mornings. So to cut down on the effort it takes, I’ve documented 10 of my favorite lunches that can be prepped for 4 full days (+ daily snacks). Yes, it means eating the same thing for a week, but all of the below recipes are truly delicious and really hold their quality. Click on the links below to read the full posts (recipes, ingredients + efficiency tips!):

Week 1: 

• Morning Snack: Greek yogurt parfait
• Lunch: Tahini Kale Slaw and Roasted Tamari Portobello Bowl
• Afternoon Snack: Apple and string cheese

Week 2:

• Morning Snack: Pear
• Lunch: Falafel, tabouli and hummus bowl, whole wheat pita, and grapes
• Afternoon Snack: Multigrain rice crackers and string cheese

Week 3: 

• Morning Snack: Yogurt
• Lunch: 10-spice vegetable soup, whole wheat pita, and Medjool date
• Afternoon Snack: Banana and hardboiled egg

Week 4: 

• Morning Snack: Yogurt and cinnamon almonds
• Lunch: Hippie bowl
• Afternoon Snack: Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffin and grapes

Week 5: 

• Morning Snack: Cinnamon bun energy bite
• Lunch: Tomato, mushroom and spinach tofu quiche, whole grain crackers, carrot sticks and dark chocolate
• Afternoon Snack: Green juice

Week 6:

• Morning Snack: Yogurt and granola
• Lunch: Soul-soothing African peanut stew and whole-grain crackers
• Afternoon Snack: Apple and slice of persimmon bread

Week 7:

• Morning Snack: Chia Parfait and Apple Crunch
• Lunch: Festive Kale Salad with Sweet Apple Cinnamon Vinaigrette and Pecan Parmesan
• Afternoon Snack: Clementine and Classic Glo Bar

Week 8:

• Morning Snack: Coconut-Cardamom Vegan Overnight Oat Parfait with Blueberry Chia Seed Jam
• Lunch: Burrito Bowl, corn chips, piece of dark chocolate
• Afternoon Snack: Fruit and string cheese

Week 9:

• Morning Snack: Apple and 4-6 roasted almonds
• Lunch: Green salad, 4 whole grain crackers, 2 small pieces of cheddar cheese, 1 piece of dark chocolate
• Afternoon Snack: Carrot sticks and a whole-grain date bar

Week 10:

• Morning Snack: Apple and small handful of nuts (pistachio/cashew combo)
• Lunch: Cauliflower flatbread topped with mashed avocado, arugula and honey chèvre
• Afternoon Snack: Carrot sticks and Persian cucumbers with hummus and 4-6 whole grain crackers