Nia Starr never expected her annual checkup to end with a warning. At just 36, her cholesterol was creeping up, and her doctor gently brought up the phrase she’d been avoiding: “You need to think about your heart.”

“I thought I was eating fine,” Nia says. “But convenience had become king. I lived on takeout, frozen pasta, and anything I could microwave.” Quest Nutrition Ultimate Variety Pack Protein Bars, High Protein, Low Carb, Gluten Free, Keto Friendly, 12 Count

Meal prep always felt intimidating—like something only ultra-disciplined fitness influencers had time for.

But once she learned how much sodium and saturated fat were hiding in her usual dinners, she knew something had to change.

So, one Sunday, she tried it: roasted vegetables, a big batch of quinoa, grilled salmon, and a lentil stew that her coworker had sworn by. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start.

What surprised her most wasn’t how much time it saved—it was how much better she felt. “After just a week, I wasn’t crashing at 9 p.m.,” she says. “My energy was steadier. I didn’t feel weighed down.”

She also noticed something unexpected: her relationship with food began to soften. Dinner stopped being a stressful last-minute decision and became a quiet, nourishing moment at the end of her day.

Now, her Sundays are for chopping, roasting, and setting herself up for a heart-healthy week—not punishment, just preparation.

“I used to think meal prep meant eating boring food,” Nia says. “But when you cook with intention, every bite has a little more meaning.”