Week of Healthy Meal Prep: December 24-28 — Cooking Light
Introduction
Skip the holiday stress and savor nutritious meals all week with this Week of Healthy Meal Prep: December 24-28 — Cooking Light. Designed to keep you energized and satisfied through the season, this meal plan features fresh, light recipes packed with flavor, perfectly portioned for lunch and dinner. Whether you’re balancing celebrations with healthy choices or simply want to stay on track, this plan transforms meal prep from a chore into a delightful routine.
Why You’ll Love This Meal Prep Plan
A full week of festive gatherings can be heavy on rich, indulgent foods. This thoughtful plan puts health and flavor front and center—each meal is crafted to be colorful, nourishing, and never bland. The recipes are easy to prep in advance, so you spend less time cooking and more time enjoying the holiday spirit with loved ones.
Healthy Recipes for a Light Holiday Week
Each day features a delicious, balanced menu. Expect vibrant salads, lean proteins, and inventive veggie sides—so every plate is satisfying but never stuffy. The plan is flexible too: swap out ingredients to suit dietary needs or seasonal produce.
Sample Menu for December 24-28
- December 24: Sheet Pan Lemon-Herb Salmon with Roasted Root Vegetables
- December 25: Turkey and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers with Mixed Greens
- December 26: Winter Lentil Soup with Spinach and Whole Wheat Rolls
- December 27: Light Chicken Piccata with Garlic Sautéed Broccoli
- December 28: Roasted Vegetable Grain Bowls with Citrus-Tahini Dressing
Ingredient List for Healthy Meal Prep
- Salmon fillets
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Lean ground turkey
- Quinoa
- Dried lentils
- Assorted root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes)
- Bell peppers
- Fresh spinach
- Mixed salad greens
- Broccoli
- Whole wheat rolls
- Lemon, fresh herbs (parsley, dill, thyme)
- Garlic, onions
- Canned low-sodium chicken broth
- Olive oil
- Tahini
- Seasonings: black pepper, salt, paprika, cumin, chili flakes
- Citrus fruits (lemon, orange for dressing)
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this week’s meal plan to CookifyAI and instantly get a smart shopping list with every ingredient sorted by grocery store section. It’s the fastest way to organize your holiday grocery run and ensure you don’t forget a thing.
Instructions: Easy Meal Prep for the Week
- Set aside 2-3 hours on your prep day to wash, chop, and portion ingredients.
- Cook grains (quinoa, lentils) in bulk and cool before storing.
- Roast root vegetables and prepare grain bowls ahead; store dressings separately.
- Bake salmon and chicken, leaving enough for leftovers in salads or grain bowls.
- Assemble stuffed peppers and soups to reheat quickly throughout the week.
- Store all meals in airtight containers, portioned for grab-and-go lunches or heat-and-eat dinners.
Weekly Meal Planning
This meal plan is perfect for efficient weekly prep! Save and schedule the entire week’s recipes in CookifyAI to create an organized plan, generate precise shopping lists, and adjust serving sizes as needed.
Planning Benefits:
- Automatically tallies ingredient quantities across all recipes
- Organizes your shopping list by category—produce, proteins, pantry, and more
- Eliminates duplicate purchases and forgotten items
- Helps you see exactly how ingredients overlap, reducing food waste
- Keeps your meal planning streamlined and painless, even during busy holiday weeks
Pro tip: Add all your planned recipes for the week—CookifyAI will handle the rest, so you can stay focused on staying healthy and happy.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 2-3 hours (full week)
Cook Time: Varies by recipe (20-40 minutes per dish)
Total Time: 2.5-4 hours (one-time batch prep for 5 days of meals)
Ready to enjoy your healthiest—and most relaxed—holiday week ever? By planning ahead, shopping smart, and choosing light, flavorful recipes, your meals will be as bright and satisfying as the season itself.