It’s a new year which means many resolutions are going to include eating healthier. One of my resolutions this year is just that: to eat healthier. Also on my resolutions list is to be more organized, pay off bills, travel more and read those 8 books on my nightstand that I have never gotten around to. Let’s tackle one resolution at a time though, shall we?
Eating healthier means I am tackling the Whole30® challenge. What is Whole30® you ask? Well in a nutshell your eating Whole Foods such as veggies, fruits, lean meats and nuts for starters. Processed foods are out and anything with extra sugar in the ingredients is also a no. To learn more about what the Whole30® is all about check it out HERE.
One key to eating healthier is meal prepping. I know, I know you have heard that term a million times but it really is the key. If you are prepared for the day with your meals and snacks you are sure to stay on track with your healthy eating goals. Thankfully Ball® jars are there to help you tackle your Whole30® meal prep.
This post is sponsored by Ball® Home Canning, however, all my opinions are my own. You can read my full disclosures HERE.
How Ball jars are helping me meet my healthy eating goals
Ball® jars are the perfect containers for your meal prep. Not only do they come in a variety of different sizes but they easy to pack, clean and store. Durability and dishwasher friendly are other reasons Ball® jars are perfect for meal prep. Basically Ball®jars are making meal prep a breeze.
Whole30® Meal Prep with Ball Jars
I am so excited to share with you how I meal prep for my work day with Ball® jars. I know that if I don’t have food prepared I will stray from my goals so having things ready ahead of time is essential.
My favorite Ball jars to use for meal prep are the Ball® Wide Mouth Jars, and the Ball® Leak-Proof Storage Lid.
I do use other Ball® jars and will link them throughout for you!
First I start with meal prep for my main meal which is typically a salad. Ball® jar salads are super easy to make and store exceptionally well.
First I put the dressing on the bottom of the Ball® jar then in the ingredients. Place the heartiest ingredients at the bottom such as the onion, cucumber or broccoli in order to keep the dressing away from the ingredients that will get soggy. No one likes a soggy salad! Keep layering in the ingredients, screw lid on tight and viola! Your done! These will store for about 5 days in the fridge. I make 2-3 at a time depending on how many days I will be working in a row.
Once the salad is complete I start in on my snacks. I could not function without snacks. I would be unhappy and just overall unpleasant to those around me. Thankfully the Whole30® allows for healthy snacks.
These jars are perfect to add carrots and celery in and the Ball® Leak-Proof 4 oz food Storage with Lid are perfect for storing homemade guacamole and nuts. I also use them to put almond butter to go with my apple slices. For the celery and carrots I use the Ball® Aqua Vintage regular mouth pint jar which can be found at Walmart.
Right now if you use your Ibotta app you can get $1.00 off a 4 pack or 12 pack of Ball® jars!
A couple more things that I meal prep are water and Chia pudding (hey, don’t knock it before you try it). Since yogurt and cottage cheese are off limits I have resigned myself to making Chia pudding instead. This is one thing that you really have to meal prep ahead of time because it needs to sit overnight in the fridge. I make about 3 when I make them. I use the Ball® regular mouth collection elite half-pint glass jars for the chia pudding.
The final touch I add to my wole 30 meal prep with Ball® jars is water with fruit. Plain water can be so boring so I fill a 32 ounce regular mouth Ball® jar with water and then add whatever fruit I want. Lemon, strawberries, limes, raspberries, oranges, whatever you want! Pop it in the fridge and let it sit for a little while. Gives more flavor to the water so you don’t get bored.
So there you have it! Easy Whole30® meal prep with Ball® jars! So fast, convienent and simple.
What are your healthy eating goals for the new year? I would love to know if your following the Whole 30 diet as well and your fav things to prep ahead of time in the comments below!
And don’t forget to head HERE for the Spin to Win for a chance to win Ball products, a Whole30® cookbook, a $25 Athlete card, or a $10 Visa gift card to purchase Ball® products at participating retailers!
Now you have me hungry! LOL Seriously, I’ve heard people use ball jars, but now I understand much more how it’s done. Thanks for the article.
Great tips! I’m trying to be healthier
The meals look so pretty in the jars. Great idea for meal prepping.
I love Ball glass jars – they are great for everything! I love that you are pre-making your snacks with them. I tried the Whole 30 once but I wasn’t able to get through it. How are you doing so far?
Hello Danielle. I have been eating healthy since June last year, my only problem was staying consistent. lol so my new goal is to be consistent with my healthy eating habits. I would definitely try out the Whole 30 diet.
Thank you so much for sharing
I love this!! such a simple way to meet your goals you wouldn’t even think about!
So many things you can do with a jar for food preps. I didn’t realize this. Thanks for the ideas.
Anytime! There really are so many options and it is super helpful to have everything prepared and ready to go in order to stay on track.
I have never used jars for food preparation. It does make sense though, especially for overnight chia puddings. How do you eat the salad though if it’s in a jar?
Usually what I do is I shake the jar up so that everything gets mixed right before I eat it. Since the jars are so big, you can actually eat directly from the jar or put it on a plate when you are ready to eat.
Most of the time I just eat right from the jar when I am on the go. You would be surprised how easy it is.
love this ! Great ideas and the photos are really beautiful ! will try these for sure, thanks for sharing !
Thank you so much!
Happy New Year! 🙂 These are great to keep on track with healthy eating all year long. What a clever idea. Thanks for sharing.
Best,
Christina
They really are a great way to meal prep in order to stay on track.
I’ve got some of these jars and I was just thinking about how to use them! I am glad that I found this article – thanks for such an inspirational post.
You’re welcome! The great thing about Ball jars is that they can be used for just about anything!
My coworker makes his lunch every day in a jar like this one. It is usually a salad but now I know I can make other kinds of dishes.
YES!! My mom has been using them for years and now we have started too! Pickled onion, beets, etc! Also chia pudding is delicious!!
I have had these since past 7 years. I use these for everything.
These are great ideas. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Amazing information! I love prepping with jars and love the different sizes. I will be saving this!
what a great idea for meal prep Danielle! I often reuse glass jars for soup or smoothies on the go. You just can’t beat that kind of seal!
Using ball jars to limit the quantity of food is genius. I use smaller plates for my partner and I during dinner so we only consume a certain quantity too.
I love that this is helping yuou stay healthy 🙂 And the food looks so cute when put in one of these jars!
Honest question: how do you eat your salad out of the ball jar? Isn’t the opening too small to eat out if it (properly)? (:
I love it!!! It to mention that the canning jars make everything look so pretty! We have a farmhouse and that’s what we use.
I love this idea for using mason jars! We use them for nearly everything around the house, including salad prep.
This Balljars are so cute..! I really love using jars for my foods or condiments. They always looks nice whether it’s big or small.
This is so cool and handy! I should be doing this instead of eating out for lunch everyday. This could also help on my spending, to say the least.
Nice Balljars..! I love using jars especially when making my smoothies, it looks so appetizing.
My hubby bought ball jars and they are good food storage. They are also a great way for food prep.
These are such great meal prep ideas!
So funny! I use Ball jars for the very same thing it makes food prep super easy.