Meal prep can be a total game-changer for your health, time, and budget—but only if it doesn’t leave you feeling overwhelmed and burnt out before the week even begins. One of the biggest reasons people give up on meal prep? It takes too long.
But here’s the truth: It doesn’t have to.
Most of the time-wasting moments I see in the kitchen are totally avoidable with a little planning, a few shortcuts, and a more realistic approach. Today I’m breaking down the 8 most common time wasters—and exactly how to avoid them so you can get in, get it done, and get on with your day.
1. Not Preheating the Oven Right Away
This one’s simple, but it’s one of the most common mistakes. If you’re planning to roast anything—protein, veggies, whatever—start the oven first. It can take 10–15 minutes to fully preheat, and that’s valuable time you could be using to prep other items.
2. Running Back and Forth for Tools and Ingredients
Right after you turn on that oven, gather everything you need—cooking utensils, containers, pantry items, produce, proteins, sauces, seasonings. Having everything out in front of you helps reduce kitchen chaos and keeps your focus where it belongs: on prepping, not searching. Pro tip- put your trash can right next to you as well!
3. Not Prioritizing What Takes the Longest
Think like a chef here: start with the items that take the longest to cook. Usually, that’s your protein. Get that going first—whether it’s roasting chicken or browning ground beef—then move on to quicker things like chopping or portioning snacks.
4. Trying New Recipes Too Soon
Meal prep is not the time to experiment—especially when you’re just getting started. Stick with foods that don’t require a recipe or recipes you know and are comfortable making. The more familiar you are, the faster (and less stressful) your prep will be.
Once you have your routine down? Then go wild with the Pinterest recipes.
5. Making It Too Complicated at the Start
You don’t need to prep every meal and snack for the entire week right out of the gate. In fact, trying to do too much too soon is one of the fastest ways to burn out.
Start small—maybe just breakfast and lunch, or a few items you can use at dinner. Build your confidence and rhythm from there.
6. Not Taking Advantage of Shortcuts
There is zero shame in buying pre-chopped veggies, pre-cooked proteins, or bagged salad mixes. (Do NOT try to wash and chop a bunch of greens for salads, this is a big time waster!) If certain parts of the cooking process trip you up, find a shortcut for them.
Don’t love cooking meat? Buy it cooked. Hate chopping onions? Grab them diced in the produce section. This is about making your life easier—not proving how much you can do from scratch.
7. Trying to Be Too “Perfectly Healthy”
One of the most overlooked mistakes? Trying to make the “ideal” healthy meals instead of making meals you actually enjoy.
If you don’t love what you’re eating, sticking with the prep habit will feel like a chore. Especially when you’re starting out, prep foods you genuinely look forward to—even if they aren’t Pinterest-perfect.
If your choices are a meal you’ll eat vs. a “healthier” meal you’ll toss in the trash, the answer is obvious. Consistency always wins. And improvement over perfection is important to remember! If prepping helps you reduce fast food or takeout, that’s a huge win!
8. Not Making It (Even a Little Bit) Fun
Yes, meal prep is a chore—but that doesn’t mean it has to feel like one. One of the easiest ways to make the experience more enjoyable? Put on your favorite playlist, a podcast, or an audiobook while you prep.
Creating a positive vibe in the kitchen can go a long way in making this habit something you don’t dread. Turn it into your “me time,” dance while you chop, or catch up on your latest true crime series—whatever makes it feel less like work and more like a win.
The Bottom Line
Meal prep doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. By avoiding these common time wasters, you’ll set yourself up for a smoother, faster, and way more enjoyable prep routine.
Next week, I’ll be sharing how I bulk prepare protein to freeze so you always have the hard part done ahead of time.
But if you’re ready to dive deeper into meal prep now, check out my full course:
➡️ Meal Prep and Planning Made Easy on Udemy
You’ll learn how to simplify planning, prep with less stress, and build a routine you can actually stick to.
