Postpartum Meals You Don’t Have to Cook: My Go-To Pre-Made Staples & Quick Fixes

Postpartum life can be overwhelming, and cooking often falls to the bottom of the priority list. Here’s how I kept myself nourished with easy, pre-made, and protein-packed options that required minimal effort.

Pre-Made Staples: What I Kept on Hand

These nutrient-dense, pre-packaged items were my go-to! You can find most of these at Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, Costco, HEB and a majority of other grocery stores.

• Purely Elizabeth Oatmeal Cups: A quick, superfood-packed breakfast that only requires hot water.
• Bonafide Provisions Bone Broth Cups: Perfect for postpartum recovery with collagen and nutrients.
• Kettle & Fire Bone Broth Bisques: Creamy, nutrient-rich soups, just heat and serve.
• Alyssa’s Oatmeal Bites: A naturally sweet, fiber-packed snack that kept me fueled between meals.
• Grass-Fed Beef Jerky Sticks (Chomps): Clean, protein-rich snacks for when I needed something savory.
• Grass-Fed Protein Bars (Bulletproof Collagen Bars): A great on-the-go meal replacement with high-quality protein.
• Vital Farms Hard-Boiled Eggs: Easy to grab for a protein boost.
• Frozen Organic Roasted Veggies (Pura Vida Brand): Heat in the microwave for an effortless side.
• Microwave Organic Rice (Trader Joe’s brand, or Seeds of Change): Cooks in minutes and pairs with any meal.
• Applegate Organic Chicken Tenders: Great for throwing into wraps or bowls.
• Reds Breakfast Sandwiches at Costco, or Eggwiches at Trader Joe’s: An easy and filling breakfast that heats up in minutes.
• Trader Joe’s Overnight Oats or Mush Overnight Oats: Another quick breakfast option with great ingredients.

Check out my Tired Mom TJ’s Meal Plan too!

Cheese & Dairy

• Raw Cheddar: A satisfying snack that pairs well with crackers or salami.
• Kerrygold or Tillamook Grass Fed Cheese Bites: Convenient and protein-packed snack options.
• A2 Grass-Fed Yogurt: Easily turned into a yogurt bowl with berries and granola for a nutritious breakfast or snack.

10-Minute Pre-Packaged Meals: Healthy & Delicious

When I had just a bit of time, these meals came together in 10 minutes or less, especially when paired with quick-cooking sides like microwave rice and frozen veggies.

• Kevin’s Natural Foods Thai Coconut Curry Chicken: Ready in 5 minutes, I paired this with Trader Joe’s Organic Jasmine Rice (microwave for 3 minutes) and Pura Vida Organic Roasted Veggies for a balanced meal.
• Kevin’s Tikka Masala Chicken: Another quick favorite! Serve with microwave jasmine rice and frozen organic veggies for a hearty, nutrient-rich dinner.
• Kevin’s Mongolian Beef: Cooks in 5 minutes. I paired it with Seeds of Change Organic Brown Jasmine Rice (microwave pouch) and Cascadian Farms Organic Stir Fry Veggies for an easy meal.
• HEB Salmon Burger (Fiesta Flavor): Sear up in just 4 minutes per side in a cast-iron pan with avocado oil. Serve with Seeds of Change Spanish Rice (3-minute microwave pouch) and Josie’s Organic Salad with Chosen Foods Ranch dressing for a flavorful, nutritious meal.
• Kevin’s Stir Fry (Costco): This stir fry came together with microwave jasmine rice for a delicious, fast meal.

Easy Breakfast: PB&J Chia Pudding Parfait

A quick, protein-packed breakfast or snack that can be prepped the night before!

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1/2 cup milk (Malk almond or organic coconut)
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 cup organic Greek yogurt (Stonyfield grass-fed)
• 3/4 cup berries (raspberries, blueberries)
• 1/4 cup granola (Purely Elizabeth or Rawcology)
• 1 tbsp organic peanut butter
• Optional: hemp seeds, coconut shreds

Directions:

1. Night Before: Mix chia seeds, milk, and honey; refrigerate.
2. Morning of: Layer chia pudding, yogurt, berries, granola, and peanut butter. Top with hemp seeds or coconut shreds.

Key Postpartum Nutrients to Prioritize:

• Eggs, grass-fed beef, chia seeds, walnuts: Protein and healthy fats.
• Spinach, kale, broccoli: Rich in iron, vitamins A and C.
• Oats & almonds: Great for fiber and lactation support.

Nourishing Without the Hassle

Postpartum life is all about balance, and feeding yourself shouldn’t be stressful. With these pre-made staples and 10-minute meals, you can stay nourished, energized, and focused on recovery and spending time with your baby.