How To Involve Your Kids In Meal Prepping (Without Losing Your Mind)
- scottkbisbee
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Meal prepping sounds great, except it’s not rooted in real life. Especially if you have a family of four kids, husband to a beautiful wife, keeping up with household chores and running a business. You’re tired most days, and your three-year-old is always asking for a snack while you’re trying to chop veggies.
So most parents default to survival mode: quick meals, takeout, or whatever gets food on the table the fastest.
Here’s the mind switch that changes everything: Meal prep doesn’t have to be perfect- and it doesn’t have to be done alone.
Involving your kids in meal prepping isn’t about turning them into tiny chefs. (Besides the fact that one of my boys want to become a chef) It’s about making healthy eating normal, reducing stress, and teaching life skills without adding more to your plate.
Why Getting Kids Involved Actually Makes Life Easier
At first, it feels slower. Messier. Louder.
But over time, something shifts.
When kids help prep food:
They’re more likely to eat what’s served
They understand where food comes from
They stop seeing healthy meals as “punishment”
They feel ownership instead of resistance
And for you? You’re not fighting every meal. You’re building buy-in.
This isn’t about controlling food—it’s about creating a better relationship with it.
Start Small (This Is Not a Cooking Show)
You don’t need to involve them in the entire process. That’s a fast track to frustration.
Start with one small job:
Washing vegetables
Stirring ingredients
Tearing lettuce
Putting snacks into containers
Five minutes counts.
The goal isn’t efficiency at first—it’s exposure.
Give Them Age-Appropriate Jobs
This is key. When kids feel capable, they stay engaged.
Younger kids can:
Rinse produce
Sort ingredients by color
Put lids on containers
Carry light items to the fridge
Older kids can:
Make It About Choice, Not Control
One of the biggest power struggles around food is feeling forced.
Instead, offer controlled choices:
“Do you want strawberries or blueberries this week?”
“Should we prep chicken or ground beef?”
“Which veggies should we roast?”
They feel heard. You stay in charge. Everyone wins. At our household every Sunday we have a dinner calendar and every one of our kids has a say on what they want to eat during the week.
Use Meal Prep as Connection Time
This isn’t just about nutrition.
It’s time together without screens .It’s conversation. It's showing your kids that food isn’t stressful—it’s part of life.
You don’t need to lecture about macros or protein. Just be present. Let them help. Let it be imperfect.
They’ll remember that far more than the exact meal.
Lower the Bar (Way Lower Than You Think)
Meal prep doesn’t need to mean seven identical meals in containers.
It can look like:
Washed fruit ready to grab
Pre-cooked protein in the fridge
Chopped veggies for quick dinners
Snacks portioned for the week
If it saves you time later, it counts.
If it reduces stress, it’s working.
You’re Teaching More Than Nutrition
When your kids help prep meals, they’re learning:
Food is something we prepare, not just order
Healthy choices are normal, not extreme
Adults take care of themselves and their families
Effort matters more than perfection
Just like fitness, this is about habits—not hacks.
Final Thought
You don’t need to overhaul your kitchen or turn Sundays into a full production.
Invite your kids in. Give them a role. Keep it simple.
You’re not just prepping food—you’re building skills, confidence, and healthier habits that last far longer than the week’s meals.
And that’s a win for everyone at the table.
If you are currently struggling with nutrition, Scott is a certified Precision Nutrition Coach with 15 years experience. Get in contact with him to change your life today!
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