Healthy Weekly Meal Plan: Smart Strategies for Using Easter Leftovers and Easy Dinners

Spring is in full swing, bringing with it warmer weather, longer days, and often, a bounty of delicious food from holiday celebrations like Easter. This week’s healthy meal plan is thoughtfully crafted to not only guide you through a week of nourishing meals but also to brilliantly repurpose those wonderful Easter weekend leftovers, ensuring no food goes to waste and your meal prep is a breeze! We’ve got you covered with energizing breakfasts, satisfying lunches, and five dinner recipes that promise flavor, health, and convenience.

Welcome to Your Healthy Meal Plan

This week, we’re embracing the vibrant energy of spring! As many of us are enjoying a well-deserved break and perhaps hosting gatherings, the focus of this meal plan is on smart, efficient cooking that leverages holiday prep. If you’ve just celebrated Easter, you’re likely sitting on a treasure trove of delicious leftovers – from perfectly cooked ham to boiled eggs, and maybe even some carrot cake goodies. Instead of letting these go to waste, we’re incorporating them into a fresh and exciting weekly menu.

Meal planning is a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. It helps you stay on track with your nutritional goals, saves precious time during busy weekdays, and significantly reduces food waste. By planning ahead, you can make smarter grocery choices, avoid last-minute unhealthy takeout, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your meals are sorted. This plan is designed to be flexible, adaptable, and, most importantly, delicious!

Creative Ways to Maximize Your Easter Leftovers

Easter isn’t just a holiday; it’s an opportunity for strategic meal prep! By intentionally making a little extra of certain items, or simply planning how to transform what’s left, you can set yourself up for an incredibly efficient and tasty week. Here’s how we’re turning Easter feast remnants into fantastic, healthy meals:

• Carrot Cake Muffins: If you baked a double batch of our Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins for Easter brunch, you’re already ahead! These wholesome muffins make a perfect grab-and-go breakfast or a delightful afternoon snack throughout the week. Their combination of almond and oat flour makes them a satisfying and guilt-free treat.
• Leftover Veggies to the Rescue: Did you have a colorful veggie platter or roasted carrots for your Easter dinner? Don’t let those fresh ingredients wilt! Chop up any leftover raw or cooked vegetables to toss into your Shepherd’s Pie. They add extra nutrients and flavor, and you get to enjoy them twice.
• Mashed Potato Magic: If mashed potatoes were a staple at your Easter table, consider them a head start for your Shepherd’s Pie topping. Using leftover mashed potatoes (especially if they’re dairy-free!) means less cooking time and more flavor infusion into your comforting pie.
• Ham Transformation: Easter ham is a versatile protein! Dice up any leftover ham and add it to your morning eggs for a hearty breakfast, or incorporate it into your lunchtime salads for an extra boost of protein and flavor. It’s an excellent way to add savory depth to simple dishes.
• Chef Salad Reinvention: Repurpose leftover ham, hard-boiled eggs, and even cheese from a charcuterie platter into a magnificent chef salad. This is a quick, nutrient-dense lunch solution. Pair it with your favorite clean salad dressing, or elevate it with a batch of Homemade Ranch for an unbeatable fresh meal.
• Breakfast Protein Alternatives: If your Easter didn’t involve many eggs, or you simply prefer other options, consider whipping up some Maple Chicken Breakfast Sausage or Air Fryer Turkey Bacon. These provide excellent protein for a strong start to your day and can be prepped in advance.

This approach transforms potential waste into purposeful, delightful meals, making your healthy eating journey both economical and enjoyable. Have a delicious and efficient week!

Introducing the Fit Healthy Meal Plans App

For those looking for an even more streamlined approach to meal planning, we’re thrilled to introduce our new Meal Planning App called Fit Healthy Meal Plans! This innovative app is designed to revolutionize your meal prep by allowing you to fully customize your weekly plan and instantly generate a grocery list tailored to your preferences. It’s a true game-changer for anyone committed to healthy eating and efficient kitchen management.

The Fit Healthy Meal Plans app takes the inspiration from these weekly blog plans and empowers you with the tools to adjust serving sizes, swap recipes, and build a personalized menu that fits your unique lifestyle and dietary needs. Say goodbye to tedious list-making and hello to effortless meal organization!

Click here to learn more about the app and its features. We’re confident it will simplify your healthy eating journey. Feel free to reach out with any questions!

App users – make sure to check out the newest recipes on the app! We continuously publish recipes to the app first, giving you exclusive early access before they hit the blog. Discover these and many more exciting recipes directly on the Fit Healthy Meal Plans app!

About This Weekly Meal Plan

If you’re new to our weekly meal plans or transitioning from full, detailed meal plans, here’s a quick overview of what to expect. Each week, our plan features five dinner recipes, a dedicated breakfast option, and a versatile lunch suggestion. This structure offers a perfect balance of guidance and flexibility, allowing you to incorporate your favorite snacks or adjust meals as needed.

This plan is meticulously designed to align with popular healthy eating frameworks, including the 21 Day Fix containers and Weight Watchers points. It’s an ideal resource for anyone focused on healthy eating, mastering portion control, prioritizing whole, unprocessed foods, and maintaining an active, healthy lifestyle. We aim to make healthy eating accessible, enjoyable, and sustainable for everyone.

Grocery List and Essential Prep Tips

To make your week even smoother and more stress-free, we provide a comprehensive grocery list and printable prep tips. These invaluable resources are exclusively available in our weekly email for email subscribers. The prep tips are a game-changer, breaking down the week’s cooking into manageable steps, ensuring your kitchen stays organized and your meals come together quickly.

If you haven’t joined our community yet, it’s not too late to become an email subscriber and unlock access to these fantastic resources! Getting your grocery list pre-filled and having a clear prep strategy laid out will significantly reduce your mental load and make healthy eating feel effortless. Just click the link to sign up – it’s absolutely FREE, and you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it!

For 21 Day FIX | Portion Fix Meal Plan Followers

We’ve made it incredibly easy for 21 Day Fix and Portion Fix followers to integrate this meal plan into their routine. All five dinners and the planned breakfast are pre-loaded into a convenient meal planning spreadsheet. This spreadsheet serves as your ultimate tracking tool, allowing you to visualize your container counts for the main meals of the week.

Simply add in your preferred lunch and snacks, and make any personalized adjustments to fit your specific calorie bracket and preferences. To get started, click the spreadsheet link, make a copy when prompted (this saves it to your own Google Drive), and then save it to your computer or cloud storage. Please note that while it can be viewed on a phone, it functions best for editing and customization on a computer.

If you prefer a tangible, pen-and-paper approach to planning, we also offer these helpful resources:

• 21 Day Fix Meal Planner PDF: A printable PDF that allows for manual tracking and planning.
• 2B Mindset spreadsheet tracking tool: A dedicated tool for those following the 2B Mindset program, offering a different approach to tracking your progress.

Weight Watchers Meal Plan Guidance

For our dedicated Weight Watchers members, we are diligently working to update every recipe on our site to reflect the new WW points system. We understand the importance of accurate tracking, and we appreciate your patience during this transition period.

Currently, some recipes include a direct link that helps you calculate your personal points, while others already have the updated points listed. In either scenario, you will find the most current WW points information conveniently located in the “notes” section of the recipe card on each respective blog post. We are committed to providing you with the most accurate and up-to-date information to support your Weight Watchers journey effectively. Thank you for bearing with us as we continue to adapt to the new system!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This Week’s Delicious Plan: Recipes & Groceries

Breakfast: Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins with Hard-Boiled Eggs or Breakfast Sausage

Start your day with these delightful and healthy Carrot Cake Muffins, crafted from a nutritious blend of almond and oat flour. They’re lightly sweetened, topped with a lighter “Cream Cheese” frosting, and can be customized with your favorite mix-ins. These muffins are perfect for using up leftover grated carrots from Easter! Pair them with hard-boiled eggs (another great Easter leftover) or a side of savory breakfast sausage for a balanced morning meal.

Groceries:

Muffins:

• 1 cup + 2 tablespoons oat flour (make your own by grinding oats)
• 1 cup packed almond flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 eggs (at room temperature)
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of your choice)
• 2 tablespoon coconut or avocado oil (melted if using coconut)
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (or fresh lemon juice)

Mix ins:

• 1 ¼- 1½ cups grated carrots (use a food processor for smaller pieces)
• ¼ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans are great)
• ½ cup raisins
• 1/3 cup crushed pineapple very well drained (optional)

Frosting:

• 6 wedges Laughing Cow Creamy Light Cheese (sub Dairy Free Cream Cheese if dairy free)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5-6 tablespoons Organic Powdered Sugar

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Lunch: Chef Salad (using leftover Easter Ham and hard-boiled eggs) with Homemade Ranch

These Mason Jar Salad Recipes with Homemade Ranch are perfect for Meal Prep! They offer a delicious way to enjoy your leftovers and stay on track with healthy eating. This week, we’re building a classic Chef Salad, utilizing any leftover Easter ham and hard-boiled eggs for a protein-packed and satisfying lunch. Customize with your favorite fresh toppings for a truly personalized meal.

Groceries:

For the Salads:

• 4 cups Mixed greens (kale, spinach, and romaine are great)
• ½ lb chicken (cooked and diced – or use diced leftover Easter ham!)
• 1 small head broccoli (chopped)
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 8 slices Nitrate free turkey bacon (cooked and diced)
• 2/3 cup Matchstick carrots
• 1/3 cup cubed cheddar cheese (optional! This salad is great without cheese too!)

For the Ranch Dressing:

• 1/2 cup plain Greek Yogurt (2% for the Fix and 0% for WW)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon dried dill (or 1 teaspoon fresh)
• 1 teaspoon fresh chives
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Monday: Healthy Instant Pot Shepherd’s Pie

Kick off your week with a comforting classic reimagined! This Healthy Instant Pot Shepherd’s Pie is a fantastic way to use those anticipated Easter leftovers like potatoes and carrots. It’s a healthy, gluten-free, and dairy-free version of a beloved comfort food, made incredibly easy with the Instant Pot. Enjoy a hearty, flavorful meal without the fuss.

Groceries:

• Olive oil (avocado oil, or coconut oil cooking spray)
• 1 cup diced carrots (use leftover Easter carrots if available)
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1/2 onion (chopped)
• 1 1/3 cup reduced sodium chicken broth (divided use)
• 1 teaspoon Himalayan salt
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 lb organic lean ground turkey
• 2 cups chopped cauliflower
• 2 cups red potatoes (peeled and chopped, or use leftover mashed potatoes for topping)
• 2 tablespoons butter (vegan butter, olive oil, or ghee)

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Tuesday: IP Flank Steak Tacos

These Instant Pot Flank Steak Tacos are a new favorite! Featuring tender, incredibly flavorful meat topped with a vibrant cilantro lime slaw, they’re ready in minutes thanks to the Instant Pot. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner that’s packed with zest and lean protein.

Groceries:

For the Tacos

• 1.5 lbs flank steak (trimmed of any fat and sliced thin – about 1/2 inch strips)
• 1 lime
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon salt free taco seasoning
• 10 oz. can of diced tomatoes with green chilies
• salt (to taste)
• 2 tbsp cilantro
• 1 package corn tortillas (warmed)
• Optional toppings: avocado, cilantro, plain Greek yogurt

For the Cilantro Lime Slaw

• 2 cups coleslaw mix (or chop your own cabbage)
• 1/4 red onion (cut into skinny strips)
• 1/2 jalapeno (diced and seeds removed)
• 2 tbsp cilantro
• 1 lime
• 1-2 tsp maple syrup or honey
• chili powder (optional)

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Wednesday: IP BBQ Chicken with Cilantro Lime Slaw

This Instant Pot BBQ Chicken delivers juicy, tender, and incredibly saucy chicken thanks to a clever Pot-in-Pot cooking hack that prevents watering down the sauce. Enjoy rich BBQ flavor without the dreaded burn message. Don’t have an Instant Pot? Slow cooker directions are also provided! Serve this flavorful chicken alongside a fresh, tangy cilantro lime slaw for a complete and satisfying meal.

Groceries:

For the Homemade BBQ Sauce:

• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 1/4 cup coconut aminos (can sub low sodium soy sauce if not gluten-free)
• 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• ½ tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• Sprinkle sea or Himalayan salt and black pepper

For the Chicken:

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• Sprinkle pepper
• 1 -2 pounds boneless skinless chicken tenderloins (or chicken breasts cut into smaller strips or chunks)

For the Slaw:

• 3 tablespoons cilantro
• 4 cups coleslaw mix (or chop your own cabbage)
• 1/4 red onion (cut into skinny strips)
• ½-1 jalapeno (diced and seeds removed)
• 4 teaspoons maple syrup or honey
• Juice from 2 limes
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• Sprinkle of salt

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Thursday: IP Balsamic Pork Tenderloin

This Instant Pot Balsamic Pork Tenderloin is the epitome of a perfect weeknight dinner. It’s incredibly quick and easy to prepare, relying on simple pantry ingredients for a rich, tangy flavor. Serve it with your favorite veggies on the side for a wholesome and satisfying meal that comes together effortlessly. This tenderloin is a fantastic lean protein option.

Groceries:

• 1.5 lb pork tenderloin
• 2 teaspoons olive oil (omit for slow cooker)
• 1/3 cup chicken broth or stock
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon rice or arrowroot flour (can sub thickener of choice)
• 2 cups baby carrots (optional, great for using up leftover Easter carrots!)
• 2 cups cubed red potatoes (optional, or use leftover roasted potatoes from Easter)

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Thursday sides: IP Applesauce with Roasted Broccoli

Complement your Balsamic Pork Tenderloin with the best and EASIEST Instant Pot Applesauce, made with no added sugar! This homemade applesauce is ready in minutes, offering a naturally sweet and healthy side. You have the option to peel the apples or leave the skin on for extra fiber – simply set it and let the Instant Pot do all the work! Pair it with some quick roasted broccoli for a balanced and nutritious meal.

Groceries:

• 3-6 lbs organic apples (roughly chopped away from the core; peeling is optional!)
• 1/3 cup water
• Broccoli for roasting

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Friday: Chicken Pad Thai Zoodles

End your week with a light yet incredibly flavorful dish! This Chicken Pad Thai Zoodles offers a delicious and healthy twist on classic Pad Thai. It’s bursting with savory flavors but is gluten-free, soy-free, and 21 Day Fix-approved. Enjoy the vibrant taste and satisfying texture of zucchini noodles combined with tender chicken for a perfect Friday night meal.

Groceries:

• 3/4 lb chicken breasts (cut into bite-size pieces)
• 4 teaspoons coconut oil (divided, use 2 tsp for WW)
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• 3 stalks green onion (cut into 2″ lengths)
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated)
• 1/2 cup matchstick carrots
• 2 large zucchini (cut into noodle spirals)
• Himalayan salt
• Dash crushed red pepper
• 1 lime
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
• 4 tablespoons coconut aminos (or more to taste)
• 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
• Cilantro

Get Recipe

We hope this healthy weekly meal plan empowers you to enjoy delicious, nutritious food while smartly utilizing your Easter leftovers and simplifying your kitchen routine. By focusing on whole foods, portion control, and efficient meal prep, you’re well on your way to achieving your health and wellness goals. Don’t forget to sign up for our email list to receive your free grocery list and invaluable prep tips directly in your inbox. Here’s to a week of healthy eating made easy and enjoyable!