Meal Prepping with Family Support: Making Healthy Eating Easier
Meal Prepping with Family Support: Making Healthy Eating Easier
Finding time to cook nutritious meals can feel overwhelming in the postnatal period—especially when juggling a newborn, disrupted sleep, and daily responsibilities. This is where meal prepping and family support can make all the difference.
By preparing meals in advance and getting those around you involved, you can save time, reduce stress, and make healthier choices easier, even on the busiest days.
This article will walk you through how to meal prep effectively, ways to involve family members, and how you can use the 100s of recipes available in the Thrive & Survive Club to simplify mealtimes.
Why Meal Prepping Matters in the Postnatal Period
✔ Saves time & reduces stress – Having meals ready means less time cooking and more time for yourself and your baby.
✔ Supports energy & recovery – Prepping nutrient-dense meals ensures you eat well, even when tired.
✔ Prevents skipping meals – Lack of time can lead to missing meals, which affects energy and mood.
✔ Helps with weight loss (if that’s a goal) – Having balanced meals ready reduces the temptation to grab processed foods or takeaways.
Meal prepping isn’t about cooking elaborate dishes—it’s about making sure you have healthy, ready-to-eat options available when you need them.
Step 1: Use Batch Cooking & Slow Cookers to Save Time
One of the best ways to ensure you always have nutritious meals ready is to cook in large batches or use a slow cooker.
Batch Cooking for Quick, Ready Meals
Batch cooking means preparing larger portions of meals that you can store for the week. This works well for:
🥣 Soups & stews – Lentil soup, chicken stew, or vegetable curry
🍚 Grain-based meals – Quinoa, rice, or pasta with pre-cooked proteins and veggies
🥗 Pre-made protein sources – Cooked chicken, boiled eggs, beans, or tofu for quick meal assembly
🌯 Wraps & salads – Pre-chopped veggies, lean proteins, and wholegrain wraps for grab-and-go meals
Why Slow Cookers Are a Postnatal Lifesaver
Slow cookers allow you to prep meals in minutes and let them cook throughout the day—perfect when time and energy are limited.
⏳ Why use a slow cooker?
✅ Minimal effort—just throw in the ingredients and let it cook
✅ Large portions—make extra to freeze for later
✅ Tender & flavourful meals—ideal for proteins, stews, and curries
Slow Cooker Meal Ideas (available in the Thrive & Survive Club):
🍲 Slow Cooker Chicken & Sweet Potato Curry
🥘 Beef & Lentil Stew
🌱 Vegetarian Chilli
📌 As a Thrive & Survive Club member, you already have access to 100s of meal prep and slow cooker recipes! Head to your member portal for inspiration.
Step 2: Get Family Support (You Don’t Have to Do It Alone!)
1. Ask for Help with Prep & Cooking
Many partners, family members, and even older children want to help but may not know how. Simple ways they can support you:
👨🍳 Cooking a meal once a week – A pre-planned recipe makes it easy.
🔪 Chopping veggies or portioning out meals – Quick but helpful tasks.
🛒 Grocery shopping – Whether in-store or online, a shared shopping list saves time.
2. Plan a Weekly ‘Meal Prep Hour’ Together
Set aside one hour per week where everyone contributes. Even small tasks like washing greens, roasting veggies, or portioning snacks lighten the load and make healthy eating easier.
Step 3: Make Snacks & Easy Meals Accessible
When you’re exhausted, having quick, nutritious snacks ready can stop you from reaching for processed foods.
🍏 Snack ideas:
Boiled eggs & hummus
Greek yoghurt with fruit
Wholegrain crackers with cheese
Energy balls (recipe in Thrive & Survive Club!)
⏳ 5-Minute Meal Ideas:
Scrambled eggs & avocado on toast
Protein smoothie with banana & nut butter
Wholegrain wrap with lean protein & veggies
Step 4: Use the Thrive & Survive Club for Recipes & Inspiration
If you’re struggling with meal ideas, remember that as a Thrive & Survive Club member, you already have access to 100s of quick, family-friendly recipes designed for busy postnatal life.
✔ Quick & healthy meal ideas
✔ Batch-cooking & slow cooker recipes
✔ Snacks & nutrient-dense foods to boost energy
💡 Check your member portal for recipe inspiration and meal prep guides!
Final Thoughts
Meal prepping doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small, get family involved, and use the Thrive & Survive Club recipes to make life easier.
By planning ahead and asking for help, you’ll free up time, reduce stress, and ensure you’re eating well—so you can feel your best during your postnatal journey.