Eating healthy does not come naturally to everyone. And that’s because the act of healthy eating is a practice — it’s not just ingrained in us. It requires some thought, planning and preparation. In other words, if you really want to master the art of eating well, you should embrace the principles of meal planning. 

We’re not saying that you should plan every single piece of food you’re going to consume, or even that everything you eat has to be considered “health food” — there will always be a time and a place for a great piece of pizza. But if you put some thought into how you are going to fuel your body, it’s much easier to do so with good-for-you foods. If this is new to you, we’re here to help.

As part of our Eat Well, Feel Great Challenge, we have five recipes for you to prep on Sunday to help you make smarter food choices throughout the week — or at least for part of the week. Each week we’ll offer five new recipes and a grocery list to go with it. By the end of the month, we’re confident you can incorporate this practice into your life all on your own.

Without further ado, here are five deliciously healthy recipes to start week one off right. Scroll to the bottom of this page for the grocery list.

• 1 Fast, Healthy Nut Seed Breakfast Cookies
  
  The Clever Carrot
  Cookies for breakfast do not feel like a smart food choice, we know, but these onesare packed full of good-for-you ingredients and are the perfect recipe totransitioninto healthy eating. Plus, you can eat them on the go.

  Get the Fast, Healthy Nut Seed Breakfast Cookies recipefrom The Clever Carrot

• 2 Vegan Stuffed Poblano Peppers
  
  Minimalist Baker
  Make these stuffed peppers on Sunday and pack them for lunch on Monday. And Tuesday. And Wednesday (if you’re lucky enough to haveany leftover). The peppers are chockfull of veggies and whole grains so they’rewonderfully filling.

  Get the Vegan Stuffed Poblano Peppers recipefrom Minimalist Baker

• 3 Super Simple Jerk Chicken
  
  Pinch of Yum
  Keeping prepped and cooked chicken (or tofu) in the fridge is a great trick to eating healthy in a pinch. This tasty jerk chicken makes a great dinner or can be quickly turned into lunch when packed on top of a salad. (This recipe can be made with tofu for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet.)

  Get the Super Simple Jerk Chicken recipefrom Pinch of Yum

• 4 Bulgur Vegetarian Chili
  
  Naturally Ella
  A big pot of this sitting in the fridge is the perfect antidote to ordering take out. It’s quick to heat up, easy to love and wonderfully filling.

  Get the Bulgur Vegetarian Chili recipefrom Naturally Ella

• 5 Date-Sweetened Pumpkin Balls
  
  Minimalist Baker
  Because sweets are something many of us crave, it’s not a bad idea to prep yourself some healthy, energy-boosting treats. These energy balls are sweetened with dates andloaded with pumpkin goodness. They make a great snack when the four o’clock crash hits and are a nice, sweet ending to your day.

  Get the Date-Sweetened Pumpkin Balls recipefrom Minimalist Baker

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