Protein Prep Time

Quick Win

Preparation pays off. Keep these foods on hand for grab-and-go snacks and the makings for quick, protein-rich meals.

Try This Today

• Keep hard-boiled eggs in a container in the fridge, so they’re ready to grab for a snack or add to a salad for a protein-rich lunch.
• Fill a to-go container with hummus or peanut butter and cut-up veggies or apples, and another with a DIY trail mix of nuts, seeds and dried fruit.
• Buy a rotisserie chicken — or roast your own for less sodium (it’s easy!). Carve it up and store in the fridge, ready to add to soups, salads and sandwiches.

Why

Taking time to prep meals and snacks can help you get the nutrients you need. An important nutrient, protein, helps keep your muscles strong as you age and helps you recover from illness. Meal prep can also reduce the amount of takeout or convenience food you eat — a good thing, as frequent eating out was linked to a higher risk of early death among more than 35,000 adults 20 and older followed in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, as reported in 2021 in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.