As a busy mum, finding the time and energy to keep meals exciting can feel like just one more thing on your never-ending to-do list. It’s easy to fall into the habit of prepping the same meals week after week, but mealtime should be more than just another chore - it’s a chance to nourish yourself with a little bit of joy. Hannah Gilbert, Senior Director of Product Development at Youfoodz, understands the demands of a hectic schedule and offers practical tips to help you break free from the meal prep monotony. With a few clever tweaks - like reimagining leftovers, introducing new ingredients, or taking a culinary journey with globally inspired flavours - you can turn every meal into something special, even on the busiest of days. After all, you deserve more than just routine; you deserve meals that bring a smile to your face and a little extra comfort to your day. Here’s how to make it happen.

Hanna Gilbert Senior Director of Product Development at Youfoodz shares her tips on some easy things you can do to beat meal prep monotony:

Rethink your leftovers: If you’re still dreading that final round of Monday’s meal prep, switch up its form. Leftover roast veggies from dinner? Toss them into a salad or wrap for lunch the next day. Grilled chicken from Monday night’s dinner? Slice it up and add it to a grain bowl with some fresh greens and a new sauce. It’s all about repurposing what you’ve got to create something a little different each day.

Don’t tie yourself down to prepping everything!: While bulk prepping the same meal for lunch every day seems like the easy option, in reality it’s easy to incorporate more variety into your diet.

Why not try ordering a variety of different meals to match your health and lifestyle goals through a service such as Youfoodz? They offer flexibility in meal scheduling with the ability to skip a week or cancel at any time and can provide a balanced meal in only 3 minutes to keep lunchtime interesting.

Switch up your staples: One of the easiest ways to add variety without reinventing the wheel is to swap the key ingredients in your go-to meals. Love a chicken wrap? Try replacing it with turkey or a plant-based alternative. Tired of the same old pasta salad? Sub in quinoa or couscous for a new texture and taste.

Take inspiration from around the world: Take flavour inspo from around the world! If you don’t have time for something elaborate, try Youfoodz' World Taste Tour range. Whether you're craving bold Mexican or fragrant Moroccan cuisine, Youfoodz has you covered with globally inspired meals ready in just minutes.

Try the Mexican Burrito Bowl with Black Beans & Coriander Rice for a fiesta of bold flavors, or the Moroccan Chicken & Chickpea Couscous with Yoghurt for an exotic North African experience. It’s your chance to make every meal an adventure, keeping your palate excited and your lunchtime effortless!