Want to eat healthy in the new year? Don’t make it complicated: start with this easy meal plan.

After the holidays (at least for me) is a time when my eating habits need a bit of a refresh. But, sometimes it’s hard to know where to start! This year, instead of putting yourself on the hook for “healthy eating,” commit to a healthy(ish) meal plan. What does this mean? This means you don’t need to count every calorie or track every serving. Instead, set and stick with a meal plan for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the next six weeks. It will set you up for healthy eating success.

Now, the meal plan outlined for you below will take some dedication on Sunday afternoons – but no more than an hour, really.

Here’s generally what the meal plan includes for the new year:

Breakfast: Set out five mason jars and fill them with frozen fruit, yogurt, seeds or nuts, and a splash of no-sugar-added juice (remember: just a splash). Cover each jar and place in the freezer. Each morning, take one jar out and fill it with water from the sink. Screw on a blender blade and blender bottom to the jar and blend it (I promise it works, check out this mason jar blender hack). Voila! A well-balanced breakfast full of protein, calcium, and fiber. And if need a little something more, pack oatmeal with nuts and raisins as a mid-morning snack.

Lunch: Choose a grain or bean mix to be made on Sunday and divide into 5-7 glass containers (per person). In addition, prepare a big green salad to be put in containers. Bag up a couple of veggies (like carrots and celery), and wash some fruit so it is ready to throw into a lunch bag. Then, select a little snack like trail mix, bean snacks, or a small bar.

Dinner: If you make enough and are ok with leftovers, two to three meals a week can give you days days of dinners. This meal plan includes one slow cooker meal and one 30-minute meal. Then, the rest of the week you can enjoy the leftovers. And, choose a side veggie for the week– whatever is on sale at the grocery that you can quickly roast, sauté, or steam.

Since this plan is so simple, it includes a variety of options. This way, you get something different for each planned meal for six weeks. And, believe it or not, Josh and I are following this plan! So, the plan is full of tried-and-true options that we enjoy eating.

So, here’s a six-week meal plan for the new year:

Useful recipes to complement this meal plan:
Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers
Salmon en papillote
Three easy, vegan-friendly potluck recipes
Quinoa salad
How to cook your meals in bulk
Simple side to spice up a weeknight meal
Alternatives to chips and dip

How are you planning your meals to make this new year a healthier one? Let me know in the comments!

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